Last updated on January 18th, 2023 at 08:31 am
Kenya has a multitude of housing options for residents all over the country. Many top real estate companies have listings in different towns, and potential tenants or buyers can check this link to see the choices available. That being said, some towns are more affordable than others. Influencing factors include the availability of essential food items, a transport network, and rental prices. Here are some of the most affordable towns in Kenya.
1. Nakuru
Nakuru is a relatively affordable town, a bit further from the country’s capital city, thanks to its location. It is set to acquire city status, making it the fourth city in Kenya. The cost of living is lower thanks to more affordable rental prices compared to a place such as Nairobi. It is also a major agricultural center in Kenya, providing residents cheap food from nearby sources.
2. Nanyuki
Nanyuki is also a very affordable town to live in. It is a few kilometers from the equator and close to Mount Kenya. That makes it a major tourist center, attracting international and domestic visitors. As such, it has a multitude of employment and business opportunities for residents. It also has significant supermarket chains and local vendors, making it easy to access food and household items at great prices.
3. Eldoret
Eldoret is a major town in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. It is a central agricultural town that experiences cool weather all year. It is more affordable to live in than both Nairobi and Mombasa. Thanks to an excellent transportation network, retailers and farmers can quickly move their products within the town. Eldoret also has a lower barrier to starting a business, allowing people to invest quickly and making their products and services affordable.
4. Kitale
Kitale is a town in Western Kenya that primarily depends on agriculture to sustain the local economy. As a result, the cost of living is low because many residents practice subsistence farming. People living in rentals around the town can buy food locally at great prices. Rent also remains low, and potential residents can access great housing options that will not break the bank.
5. Machakos
Machakos has undergone a significant transformation over the past ten years or so. The town and the county’s transport systems have grown rapidly. Thanks to that, business owners can move goods into the town with a lot of ease. Many companies and businesses have also opened shops in town, allowing residents to find everything they need in one place. The rent prices remain comparably low, and irrigation has allowed residents to grow and sell their food.
6. Bomet
Bomet is yet another agricultural town in Kenya. The major cash crop cultivated in the area is tea, thanks to the cool climate in the region. Residents also rely on dairy farming as well as food crop production. As such, food is very inexpensive. Additionally, the county government has invested in improving the town’s transport network. The accessibility makes commuting easy and cheap.
7. Voi
Accessibility in Voi is excellent, thanks to its location along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway. In addition to that, it can also be reached using the Standard Gauge Railway, which has a station in Voi. The town is still far enough from cities like Mombasa and Nairobi to be affordable to residents. While the town is growing fast, it is still relatively small, and rent prices are meager.
8. Malindi
Malindi is one of the most affordable towns to live in in the country. While it is located along the Kenyan Coast, it has maintained a low profile and is home to local communities and many expatriates. Malindi town is also relatively small and found in Kilifi County, where the cost of living is very low. Properties in Malindi go for a fraction of the cost of land and houses in other parts of the country.
9. Naivasha
Naivasha is located in Nakuru County and offers tons of popular tourist destinations. That makes the hotels slightly more expensive to stay in compared to other towns in Kenya. The restaurants also charge somewhat higher prices for their menu items. However, food in Naivasha is very affordable, thanks to the town’s proximity to Nyandarua County, a major agricultural county in Kenya. It is also easy to buy property in Naivasha and build a home.
10. Thika
Thika is found in Kiambu County, close to the capital city. It is a highly industrial town, home to companies such as Bidco and DelMonte. The rent prices are very affordable and can easily accommodate those who live and work in the city or nearby.
Thanks to major infrastructure like the Thika Superhighway, commuting to the city is very cheap. Residents can access food at great prices because Thika is a significant market for products around town.
If you are looking for housing options outside Kenya’s expensive cities, you can easily live in towns like Voi and Eldoret. Granted, your choice will be affected by other aspects of your lifestyle, such as where you work or go to school.
