Which place is cheaper, Boston or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Boston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Boston?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesBoston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Boston $291
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nairobi and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Boston $166
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Boston? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- NBO Airport Private Transfer to/from Nairobi City Center: $8.85
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Wilson Airport Private Transfer to Nairobi hotels or Airport: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport and Hotels: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi$35
-
Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Round Trip Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston Downtown: $83
- Private Transfer to Boston Logan Airport BOS: $175
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work: $190
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Boston Logan Airport (BOS): $184
- Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS): $78
- Private Transfer from Boston city hotels to Flynn Cruise Port: $117
- Private Transfer from Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Newport Port: $184
- Private Transfer from Boston Logan Airport: $225
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $108
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $184
- Private Transfer from Boston Airport to Providence RI: $294
- Private Transfer from Boston (BOS) Airport to Boston City: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston and Nairobi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Boston $86
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- Self-Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Tour: $5.50
- Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Boston Food Tour: Pizza & North End Italian Classics: $69
- Harvard Square's Sweetest Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats & More: $70
- Boston Sweet Treats Food Tour: Fresh Donuts, Cider & Much More: $70
- Boston Holiday Food Tour: Donuts, Sweet Treats & Holiday Cheer: $70
- Boston’s North End Food Tour: Italian Flavors and Heritage Walk: $70
- Harvard Square French Fry and Pairings Food Tour: $73
- North End & Little Italy Food Tour with Local Dishes: $74
- 2-Hour North End Food Tour with Chowder & Pizza: $74
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Boston $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi Green Bus City Sightseeing Tour 4 Hours: $23
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
- Discover Nairobi City with Student Led Walking Tour: $25
- Nairobi City Tour: $25
- Nairobi Cultural Shopping Experience: $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
-
Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
-
Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $30
- 1 Hour Boston Segway Tour: $69
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: $45
- 1692 Bloodbath Adult Ghost Tour: $35
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $35
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $35
- 2 Hour Boston Segway Tour: $99
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Beacon Hill True Crime Expert Guided Tour: $35
- 2026 Halloween Cruises - Sinners, Saints, Witches, Zombies: $58
- 2026 Harbor of Horrors - Halloween Cruises: $49
- A Colonial Boston Audio Tour with Context: $20
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Boston $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Bully Boy Distillery: Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
- 2 Hour Historic Pub Crawl in Boston: $35
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
- Boston Revolutionary Pub Crawl History Bars and Drinks: $44
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $50
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $55
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $55
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa and Boston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Boston?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Boston, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.