Moving to Kenya from California
What to Expect
Considering a move from California to Kenya? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from California to Kenya, you would find that Kenya is 65.5% cheaper than California. A $75,000 salary in California would need to be roughly KES3,105,748 in Kenya to maintain the same lifestyle. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between California and Kenya.
What does your salary buy?
$75,000 → KES3,105,748
To maintain the same standard of living in Kenya
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 73.3% less
Groceries
pay 64.5% less
Transportation
pay 29.1% less
Housing
pay 79.1% less
Childcare
pay 82.5% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 64.4% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
Get free moving quotes to Kenya
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Kenya compared to California.
How's the healthcare?
share of adults with obesity
Kenya performs significantly better than California across all health & wellbeing metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
share of households with internet
California performs better than Kenya across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
California performs better than Kenya across all employment & economy metrics.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
California performs better than Kenya across all family life metrics.
Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), OECD Regional Demography, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey)
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Sacramento | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 60°/41°F (15°/5°C) | 77°/54°F (25°/12°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 79°/51°F (26°/11°C) | 73°/55°F (23°/13°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 90°/57°F (32°/14°C) | 72°/50°F (22°/10°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 65°/44°F (18°/7°C) | 75°/55°F (24°/13°C) |
View all months
| Month | Sacramento | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 54°/39°F (12.1°/3.8°C) | 76°/53°F (24.5°/11.5°C) |
| Feb | 60°/41°F (15.7°/5.2°C) | 78°/53°F (25.6°/11.6°C) |
| Mar | 65°/44°F (18.4°/6.7°C) | 78°/56°F (25.6°/13.1°C) |
| Apr | 71°/46°F (21.7°/7.9°C) | 75°/57°F (24.1°/14.0°C) |
| May | 80°/51°F (26.6°/10.6°C) | 73°/56°F (22.6°/13.2°C) |
| Jun | 87°/56°F (30.6°/13.2°C) | 71°/52°F (21.5°/11.0°C) |
| Jul | 92°/58°F (33.4°/14.7°C) | 69°/50°F (20.6°/10.1°C) |
| Aug | 91°/58°F (32.9°/14.4°C) | 71°/50°F (21.4°/10.2°C) |
| Sep | 87°/56°F (30.7°/13.2°C) | 75°/51°F (23.7°/10.5°C) |
| Oct | 78°/50°F (25.3°/10.1°C) | 76°/54°F (24.7°/12.5°C) |
| Nov | 64°/43°F (17.7°/6.0°C) | 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.1°C) |
| Dec | 54°/38°F (12.2°/3.6°C) | 74°/55°F (23.4°/12.6°C) |
Data:
National Weather Service,
Kenya Meteorological Department
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Kenya. To live, work, or study long-term in Kenya, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Kenya's immigration authority.
United States passport holder visiting Kenya
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Kenya passport holder visiting United States
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Kenya than California?
On average Kenya is about 68% less expensive than California, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Kenya?
Budget about KES776,437 for 3 months in Kenya (based on a $75,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Kenya?
From major Kenya cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in California and Kenya are what actually decide it long-term.
How is healthcare in Kenya compared to California?
Kenya performs significantly better than California across all health & wellbeing metrics.
What's the weather like in Kenya compared to California?
The average high temperature in Nairobi is 74°F, compared to 74°F in Sacramento. Nairobi receives around 40.3 in of rainfall per year, while Sacramento gets 18.5 in.
What language do they speak in Kenya?
The official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. In California, the official language is English.
