Cheapest Places to Live in Nairobi

For many people working in Nairobi, the common challenge is the high cost of rental houses. People working in Nairobi or those that want to enjoy the suburbs want to find cheap places to live. Nairobi is one of the most expensive cities in Kenya, East and Central Africa. Therefore, it is best that your rental expense does not exceed 15% of your income. Rent takes a significant portion of one’s income. The following are some of the cheapest places to live in Nairobi.

1. Roysambu

Roysambu is one of the cheapest places to live in Nairobi. It is along Thika Superhighway and it is a few minutes drive to Nairobi CBD. It is home to many graduates and young professionals. It is near KCA University, NIBS and Kenyatta University.

Social amenities like schools and hospitals are available. There is piped water while it is also secure. You can get bedsitters for around Ksh 7,000 and a 1-bedroom house for Ksh 12,000.

2. Ruaka

Ruaka is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Nairobi. Houses are affordable while the fare to and from town is affordable. Its close proximity to Two Rivers Mall makes it suitable for those who love shopping. Other social amenities like schools and hospitals are available.

You can get bedsitters for between Ksh 5,000 to Ksh 9,000 and 1-bedroom for between Ksh 12,000 and Ksh 17,000.

3. Kangemi

Kangemi is also an affordable place for those earning around Ksh 30,000. It is located in the Westlands, along Waiyaki Way. It is a good place for middle and low-income earners. It is a few kilometers from Nairobi CBD.

Rental houses are cheap and water is available. You can find permanent and semi-permanent houses in Kangemi. Bedsitter houses go for between Ksh 5,000 and Ksh 10,000 while 1-bedroom houses go for Ksh 13,000. The fare to or from town is affordable.

4. Kahawa Sukari/Wendani

Kahawa Wendani and Sukari are affordable places for low and middle-income earners to live. Most of the residents of Kahawa Sukari and Wendani are students and especially those of Kenyatta University.

Social amenities like Quickmart supermarket is within the neighborhood. Houses are cheap and range between Ksh 7,000 and Ksh 15,000.

5. Rongai

Rongai is an affordable place to live in Nairobi. The only challenge is that there is usually a lot of traffic jams during rush hours. It is also a quite distance from Nairobi CBD. However, social amenities are available.

It is an affordable place to live for people working in Nairobi and earn around Ksh 30,000. You can find cheap rental houses for less than Ksh 10,000.

6. Ruiru

Ruiru is a good place to live if you want to enjoy the suburbs of Nairobi. There are a high number of students and especially those from Kenyatta University. It is along Thika Super Highway, and you can easily commute to Nairobi. You can find cheap houses like bedsitters for as low as Ksh 5,500.

7. Kasarani

Kasarani is an affordable place to live in Nairobi. It is safe and secure while houses are cheap. There are many places within Kasarani one can live like Sunton and Hunters. Its close proximity to the Thika Super Highway makes it a good place for people working in Nairobi to live. You can get houses for as low as Ksh 6,000.

It is an ideal place for people of all walks of life; high, middle and low-income earners. Some areas of Kasarani like Hunters are ideal for people earning Ksh 30,000.

8. Kikuyu

Kikuyu is an affordable place to live for people working in the Nairobi CBD. If you want to enjoy a quiet life in a cool serene away from town, Kikuyu is a great place to live in. Houses are cheap and you can find bedsitters for as low as Ksh 7,000 and bedsitters for as low as Ksh 12,000.

9. Buruburu

Buruburu is within close proximity to Nairobi CBD and it is ideal for middle and high-income earners earning around Ksh 40,000. If you work in Nairobi CBD, you can easily commute from Buruburu. The fare to CBD is affordable while houses are also cheap.

10. Donholm

Donholm is an affordable place to live especially if you are a newly employed youth. Its close proximity to Nairobi also makes it a good place for those working in Nairobi to live. The area is common with many bachelors and houses to go for between Ksh 7,000 and Ksh 18,000.

Summary of Best Affordable Places to Live in Nairobi

Nairobi is an expensive city to live in. As such, many people want to know cheap and secure places they can live. You can live in the areas mentioned above if you work around Nairobi or want to enjoy the suburbs of Nairobi. Social amenities like schools and shopping malls are available.