Moving to Kenya from Idaho

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Idaho to Kenya? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Idaho to Kenya, you would find that Kenya is 58.0% cheaper than Idaho. A $75,000 salary in Idaho would need to be roughly KES4,010,240 in Kenya to maintain the same lifestyle. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Nairobi averages 74°F vs 64°F in Boise, making it significantly warmer.

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How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Idaho and Kenya.

What does your salary buy?

$75,000 KES4,010,240

To maintain the same standard of living in Kenya

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 69.1% less

Groceries

pay 56.8% less

Transportation

pay 10.6% less

Housing

pay 74.8% less

Childcare

pay 73.9% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 58.2% less

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 USD = 129.25 KES (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Kenya compared to Idaho.

How's the healthcare?

Adult obesity rate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), 2022

share of adults with obesity

ID
33.5%
KE
7.1%

Kenya performs significantly better than Idaho across all health & wellbeing metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Internet access US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), 2023

share of households with internet

ID
91.3%
KE
29.0%

Idaho performs better than Kenya across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

ID
3.5%
KE
5.7%
GDP per capita Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024

a broad measure of economic output per person

ID
$49,054
KE
$5,700

Idaho performs better than Kenya across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy OECD Regional Demography, 2022

average years of life at birth

ID
78.4 yrs
KE
69.7 yrs

Idaho 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.

Boise Rain: 11.7 in/yr (298 mm)
64° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Nairobi Rain: 40.3 in/yr (1024 mm)
74° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Boise Nairobi
Jan–Mar 46°/29°F (8°/-2°C) 77°/54°F (25°/12°C)
Apr–Jun 72°/47°F (22°/8°C) 73°/55°F (23°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 87°/57°F (30°/14°C) 72°/50°F (22°/10°C)
Oct–Dec 50°/32°F (10°/0°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
View all months
Month Boise Nairobi
Jan 38°/25°F (3.2°/-4.1°C) 76°/53°F (24.5°/11.5°C)
Feb 45°/28°F (7.1°/-2.1°C) 78°/53°F (25.6°/11.6°C)
Mar 55°/34°F (12.6°/1.3°C) 78°/56°F (25.6°/13.1°C)
Apr 62°/39°F (16.8°/4.1°C) 75°/57°F (24.1°/14.0°C)
May 72°/47°F (22.0°/8.1°C) 73°/56°F (22.6°/13.2°C)
Jun 81°/54°F (27.4°/12.1°C) 71°/52°F (21.5°/11.0°C)
Jul 91°/60°F (32.9°/15.8°C) 69°/50°F (20.6°/10.1°C)
Aug 90°/60°F (32.1°/15.3°C) 71°/50°F (21.4°/10.2°C)
Sep 79°/51°F (26.0°/10.6°C) 75°/51°F (23.7°/10.5°C)
Oct 65°/41°F (18.2°/4.9°C) 76°/54°F (24.7°/12.5°C)
Nov 48°/32°F (9.0°/-0.1°C) 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.1°C)
Dec 38°/24°F (3.1°/-4.4°C) 74°/55°F (23.4°/12.6°C)

Data: National Weather Service National Weather Service, Kenya Meteorological Department 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

United States passport holder visiting Kenya

Electronic Travel Authorisation
United States passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Kenya.
Kenya passport

Kenya passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Kenya passport holders need a visa to enter United States.

Data: 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 Idaho?

On average Kenya is about 59% less expensive than Idaho, with major cities narrowing the gap.

How much money do I need to move to Kenya?

Budget about KES1,002,560 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 Idaho and Kenya are what actually decide it long-term.

How is healthcare in Kenya compared to Idaho?

Kenya performs significantly better than Idaho across all health & wellbeing metrics.

What's the weather like in Kenya compared to Idaho?

The average high temperature in Nairobi is 74°F, compared to 64°F in Boise. Nairobi receives around 40.3 in of rainfall per year, while Boise gets 11.7 in.

What language do they speak in Kenya?

The official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. In Idaho, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

KE
Population 1,567,582 55,864,655
Currency United States Dollar ($) Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Languages English English, Swahili
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +254
Time zones 11 1
Emergency number 911 999