Where I Can Live
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Africa · English, Swahili · updated 2026-10

Moving to Kenya: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,000 a month to live in Nairobi, and a family of four about $2,250, including rent. Kenya usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 7 yrs, with citizenship after 7 yrs, and dual citizenship is allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Class N digital nomad permit.

Monthly budget
$1,000
Very low cost
Safety
31
Take care
Stability
24
Unstable
Family
22
Limited
Main city
Nairobi
Language
English, Swahili
Permanent residence
7 yrs
Citizenship
7 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Digital nomad visa
Yes
What can your passport do in Kenya?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
Open the interactive index →

Cost of living in Kenya, per month in US$

One person
$1,000
Family of four
$2,250
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Nairobi centre
$500
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$950
Estimate
Price level
35
US = 100
Income per person
$183
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
31
Take care
Homicides per 100k
4.87
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability−1.12
Rule of law−0.47
Control of corruption−0.86
Government effectiveness−0.09
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Unstable overall (24/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
22
Limited
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.547
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
38.8
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
63.8 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$85
per person / year
Education spending
4%
of GDP

Visa & residence routes

Remote work
Class N digital nomad permit$55,000 a year in foreign income; 1–2 years, renewable.
Job offer
Class D employment permitWith a Kenyan employer.
Investment
Class G investor permitAbout $100,000 business investment.

Some passports also get: East African Community.

Who gets easier access to Kenya

Kenya is not part of a free-movement area in the index.

East African Community (7 nationalities)

East African Community: work permits are free for EAC citizens.

Flag of BurundiBurundiFlag of the DR CongoDR CongoFlag of RwandaRwandaFlag of SomaliaSomaliaFlag of South SudanSouth SudanFlag of TanzaniaTanzaniaFlag of UgandaUganda

Visiting: 7 passports can visit visa-free, 191 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 0 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
7 yrs
Citizenship
7 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed

Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.ecitizen.go.ke

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Kenya?

About $1,000 a month for one person and $2,250 for a family of four in Nairobi, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $500 a month and a 3-bedroom around $950. Prices are 35% of US levels. Kenya is the 8th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is Kenya safe to live in?

Kenya scores 31/100 for safety (take care), ranking 69th of 76. The homicide rate is 4.87 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is Kenya politically stable?

Kenya scores 24/100 for stability (unstable), ranking 75th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is Kenya good for families?

Kenya scores 22/100 for family-friendliness (limited), ranking 74th of 76. Life expectancy is 63.8 years and under-5 mortality is 38.8 per 1,000 births.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Kenya?

Usually 7 yrs of legal residence.

How long until I can become a citizen of Kenya?

Usually 7 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: allowed.

Can I move to Kenya without a job offer?

Yes. Class N digital nomad permit: $55,000 a year in foreign income; 1–2 years, renewable.

Does Kenya have a digital nomad visa?

Yes: the Class N digital nomad permit. $55,000 a year in foreign income; 1–2 years, renewable.

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Kenya can move