Nairobi, Kenya
In Nairobi, $10 stretches across a quarter-kilo of nyama choma grilled meat, a boda boda motorbike-taxi ride, and a weekday matinee cinema ticket — with money left over for all three.
Index score 266 (rank 6 of 20) — the full basket totals $18.78, so $10 covers about 53.2% of it.
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The basket
| Item | Nairobi | NYC | vs NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| White bread (500g) | $0.56 | $4.61 | -88% |
| Milk (1L) | $0.88 | $1.44 | -39% |
| Eggs (12) | $1.64 | $5.90 | -72% |
| Bananas (1kg) | $0.98 | $2.10 | -53% |
| Bottled water (1.5L) | $0.73 | $2.50 | -71% |
| Domestic beer (0.5L, store) | $2.26 | $3.21 | -30% |
| Cappuccino (cafe) | $2.69 | $6.09 | -56% |
| White rice (1kg) | $1.99 | $6.64 | -70% |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $6.24 | $14.41 | -57% |
| Public transit, one-way ticket | $0.81 | $3.00 | -73% |
| Total | $18.78 | $49.90 |
What $10 actually buys here
- A quarter-kilo of nyama choma~$2.94
Iconic Kenyan grilled meat.
- A boda boda short ride~$1.16
Everyday local motorbike-taxi transport.
- A weekday matinee cinema ticket~$3.48
Affordable entertainment in the city center.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic grocery basket cost in Nairobi?
$18.78 for a basic grocery basket in Nairobi — well under half of New York City's $49.90.
What can $10 buy in Nairobi?
A quarter-kilo of iconic nyama choma grilled meat for $2.94, plus a weekday matinee cinema ticket for $3.48 — both together for barely more than $6.
Is Nairobi cheaper than New York for everyday expenses?
Yes — Nairobi's index score of 266 means a dollar goes roughly 2.7 times as far as in New York.
How much is a boda boda ride in Nairobi?
About $1.16 for a short local motorbike-taxi trip — everyday transport for a fraction of $10.
What's the cheapest item in Nairobi's basket?
White bread at $0.56, while chicken breast is the priciest item at $6.24 per kilo — still less than half of New York City's chicken price ($14.41).
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Keep exploring
In Mumbai, $10 covers a round-trip ferry to Elephanta Island with cave-temple entry, a full street-food crawl of vada pav and pav bhaji, or a Bollywood movie with popcorn.
In New York City, $10 covers a halal-cart chicken-and-rice platter, three subway or bus rides, or a pay-what-you-wish museum ticket — the baseline this whole index is measured against.
In Manila, $10 covers a cinema ticket at an SM or Ayala mall, or a Jollibee-style fast-food combo plus a full carinderia meal of adobo or sinigang with rice, together with change to spare.
Prices are researched estimates (July 2026), not live data — treat them as illustrative, not exact. See the methodology page for details.