Which place is cheaper, New York City 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 New York City?
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 New York City 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 New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12New York City $175
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11New York City $49
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:
- Wilson Airport Private Transfer to Nairobi hotels or Airport: $30
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $46
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Nairobi Airport Transfer: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
-
Subway$4.50
-
Taxi Ride$8.00
-
Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Newark Airport to Times Square New York: $150
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry Transfers: $64
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers: $296
- Shared transfer Newark Airport to Manhattan: $30
- Private Transfer: Manhattan to JFK, LGA or EWR by Sedan or SUV: $129
- Private Transfer: Manhattan to Cruise Port by Sedan or SUV: $80
- Private Transfer in New York City (JFK/LGA) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work: $180
- Private Transfer from or to New York to EWR Airport or vice versa: $280
- Private Transfer from Newark Int Airport (EWR) to Manhattan Port: $46
- Private Transfer from Newark Airport (EWR) to Cape Liberty Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Newark Airport (EWR) to Brooklyn Port: $62
- Private Transfer from New York City Hotels to Manhattan Port: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $13New York City $87
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
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Gelato$7.50
-
Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
-
Coffee$6.53
-
Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York Union Square Sweetest Food Tour: Choose Your Own Donuts: $35
- The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
- New York Pizza and Rats Tour: $44
- Private Pizza Experience (5 tastings) in Manhattan: $45
- Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
- Central Park Cafe: Scenic Lunch & Dinner Experience in NYC: $50
- Lower East Side Food Tour: Iconic Eats & NYC History Walking Tour: $51
- Greenwich Village Pizza Tour 7 Tastings and Local Legends: $53
- NYC Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour Full Portions, Great Value: $59
- Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $59
- Homemade Pizza Party in NYC: $63
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $68
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46New York City $180
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:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park Tour: $150
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli National Park: $200
- 1 Day tour of Lake Nakuru National Park: $250
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Safari Big Five Adventure from Nairobi: $300
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $195
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Witness the Jungle Experience: $270
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Amboseli Private Safari Tour: $52
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Comedy Show Tickets$56
-
City Map$8.00
-
Broadway Musical$111
-
Broadway Show Program$10
-
Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Rated NYC Chinatown Food and History Walking Tour with FNYT: $99
- "International Express" 7 Train Ultimate Authentic NYC Experience: $55
- 1 Day New York Tour from Baltimore: $269
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $250
- 1 Hour Live Interactive Driving Virtual Tour of Manhattan: $200
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: $50
- 1 or 2 hour Central Park Pedicab Tour.: $49
- 1-Day New York City Tour: Liberty Cruise & One World Observatory: $168
- 1-Day New York Highlight Tour: $130
- 1-Day New York In-Depth Tour: $130
- 1-Day New York Insider Tour: $180
- 1-Day Tour to Boston from New York: $104
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16New York City $29
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 New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- Wicked City Burlesque Show Admission: $33
- NYC Pub Crawl: Midtown/Times Square VIP Access & Prof Photos: $45
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Fun Cookie Decorating Class at a Local Brewery in Brooklyn: $75
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
- New York Beer and Brewery tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and New York City, 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.