Want to know the average rent in Nairobi before you start house hunting? This report uses real ISHI Homes listings, as of 25 Oct 2026, to show what a bedsitter, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom cost in different areas. It also shows how much cash you need on the day you move in.
How to read these numbers
We use the median rent, not the simple average. The median is the middle price when you line up all the listings from cheapest to most expensive. One very expensive house can push an average up, but it barely moves the median. That makes the median closer to what most people actually pay.
Rent plus deposit is the typical cash you pay to move in: the first month's rent plus a refundable deposit. The deposit is money the landlord holds and should return when you leave, minus the cost of any damage.
A quick warning: some groups below have only one or two listings. Treat those as a guide, not a final price. We will update these figures as more listings come in.
Average rent in Nairobi: all areas together
ISHI Homes listings across all areas, as of 25 Oct 2026:
| House type | Median rent a month | Typical rent plus deposit | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedsitter | KES 8,500 | KES 17,000 | 8 |
| 1 bedroom apartment | KES 15,750 | KES 31,500 | 8 |
| 2 bedroom apartment | KES 28,000 | KES 56,000 | 10 |
| 2 bedroom house | KES 28,000 | KES 56,000 | 1 |
| 3 bedroom house | KES 45,000 | KES 90,000 | 1 |
| 3 bedroom apartment | KES 120,000 | KES 360,000 | 1 |
The three bedroom apartment figure comes from a single listing in Kilimani, an upmarket area. It is not a fair picture of what a three bedroom costs across Nairobi. The three bedroom house at KES 45,000 is also just one listing.
Rent by area
Here is the median monthly rent in each area, as of 25 Oct 2026. The number of listings is in brackets. A dash means we had no listings of that type.
| Area | Bedsitter | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toll (Ruiru) | KES 7,750 (2) | KES 12,500 (1) | KES 21,250 (2) | - |
| Kahawa Wendani | KES 8,500 (3) | KES 13,250 (2) | - | - |
| Kahawa Sukari | KES 10,000 (1) | KES 15,750 (2) | KES 25,000 (2) | - |
| Roysambu | KES 12,000 (1) | KES 18,250 (2) | KES 30,000 (1) | - |
| Kilimani | - | - | KES 71,500 (2) | KES 120,000 (1) |
All area figures are for apartments.
What you need to move in, by area
This is the typical first payment: rent plus deposit, as of 25 Oct 2026.
| Area | Bedsitter | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toll (Ruiru) | KES 15,500 | KES 25,000 | KES 42,500 | - |
| Kahawa Wendani | KES 17,000 | KES 26,500 | - | - |
| Kahawa Sukari | KES 20,000 | KES 31,500 | KES 50,000 | - |
| Roysambu | KES 24,000 | KES 36,500 | KES 60,000 | - |
| Kilimani | - | - | KES 214,500 | KES 360,000 |
In most areas, the move-in cost is about two months' rent: one month's rent plus one month's deposit. In Kilimani, it is about three months' rent, which suggests landlords there ask for a two-month deposit. Always ask the landlord or agent exactly what the deposit is before you agree.
What the numbers tell us
- Toll (Ruiru) is the cheapest in our data. A bedsitter has a median of KES 7,750 and a two bedroom KES 21,250.
- Kahawa Wendani is close behind for bedsitters and one bedrooms.
- Roysambu costs more than the Kahawa areas at every size we have data for. A one bedroom there has a median of KES 18,250, against KES 13,250 in Kahawa Wendani.
- Kilimani is in a different price band. A two bedroom there has a median of KES 71,500, more than three times the Toll (Ruiru) figure.
- Moving up one size costs a lot. Across all areas, going from a bedsitter (KES 8,500) to a one bedroom (KES 15,750) nearly doubles the rent.
How to use this report
- Set a budget first. A common rule of thumb is to keep rent to about a third of your monthly take-home pay.
- Save for move-in, not just rent. Plan for at least two months' rent in cash, and more in upmarket areas.
- Count other monthly costs. Ask whether water, garbage collection, security and parking are included in the rent or charged separately. Ask how electricity is paid.
- Compare like with like. A two bedroom with a parking space and a lift is not the same as one without. Check what is included before comparing prices.
- Check the commute yourself. Lower rent further out can be eaten up by transport costs. Try the trip at rush hour before you sign.
- Use the median as a starting point. If a house is far below the median for its area, ask why. If it is far above, ask what extra you get.
Before you pay anything
- Never pay before viewing. Do not send a booking fee, deposit or rent for a house you have not seen.
- View the house in person. Photos can be old or fake. Visit, check that water and power work, and meet the landlord or the agent.
- Find verified houses on ISHI Homes. Browse listings at homes.ishi.digital.
