Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in South Africa and Kenya, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in South Africa and Kenya, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
20 of the 29 items cost less in Kenya.
Bottled, convenience store
South Africa: ≈ $0.60 – $1.20 R 10 – R 20 Kenya: ≈ $0.27 – $0.62 KES 35–80 Cafe or street vendor
South Africa: ≈ $0.90 – $2.70 R 15 – R 45 Kenya: ≈ $1.20 – $1.90 KES 150–250 Draft, at bar or restaurant
South Africa: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 R 30 – R 60 Kenya: ≈ $1.90 – $3.10 KES 250–400 Tourist area, main course
South Africa: ≈ $9 – $20 R 142 – R 340 Kenya: ≈ $3.90 – $9.30 KES 500–1,200 Local market or stand
South Africa: ≈ $1.80 – $4.80 R 30 – R 80 Kenya: ≈ $0.77 – $4.60 KES 100–600 Mixed drink, bar
South Africa: ≈ $3.30 – $6.70 R 55 – R 111 Kenya: ≈ $4.60 – $9.30 KES 600–1,200 House wine, restaurant
South Africa: ≈ $9 – $18 R 150 – R 300 Kenya: ≈ $12 – $27 KES 1,500–3,500 Cafe or street stall
South Africa: ≈ $0.66 – $2 R 11 – R 33 Kenya: ≈ $0.35 – $1 KES 45–135 Standard route
South Africa: ≈ $18 – $39 R 300 – R 650 Kenya: ≈ $12 – $27 KES 1,500–3,500 Metered or typical fare
South Africa: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 R 30 – R 60 Kenya: ≈ $0.77 – $1.90 KES 100–250 Single ride
South Africa: ≈ $0.78 – $2.10 R 13 – R 35 Kenya: ≈ $0.31 – $1 KES 40–130 Grab / Bolt / Uber
South Africa: ≈ $3.60 – $9 R 60 – R 150 Kenya: ≈ $1.70 – $9.30 KES 220–1,200 Tourist shop
South Africa: ≈ $1.20 – $6 R 20 – R 100 Kenya: ≈ $0.77 – $3.90 KES 100–500 Tourist shop
South Africa: ≈ $5 – $11 R 80 – R 180 Kenya: ≈ $6 – $12 KES 800–1,500 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
South Africa: ≈ $6 – $24 R 100 – R 400 Kenya: ≈ $4 – $15 KES 500–2,000 Data package
South Africa: ≈ $15 – $27 R 250 – R 450 Kenya: ≈ $3.90 – $9.30 KES 500–1,200 Pharmacy or shop
South Africa: ≈ $11 – $17 R 180 – R 290 Kenya: ≈ $12 – $31 KES 1,500–4,000 Supermarket
South Africa: ≈ $0.72 – $1.30 R 12 – R 22 Kenya: ≈ $0.46 – $0.93 KES 60–120 Pack of 20
South Africa: ≈ $0.90 – $1.80 R 15 – R 30 Kenya: ≈ $3.10 – $4.60 KES 400–600 Pack of 20 tablets
South Africa: ≈ $1.20 – $3.90 R 20 – R 65 Kenya: ≈ $1.50 – $2.30 KES 200–300 Spray or lotion
South Africa: ≈ $3.60 – $6.60 R 60 – R 110 Kenya: ≈ $1.20 – $12 KES 160–1,500 Local barbershop
South Africa: ≈ $3.60 – $15 R 60 – R 250 Kenya: ≈ $2.30 – $7.70 KES 300–1,000 Laundry service
South Africa: ≈ $1.50 – $3.60 R 25 – R 60 Kenya: ≈ $0.77 – $1.50 KES 100–200 Standard full-body massage
South Africa: ≈ $21 – $42 R 350 – R 700 Kenya: ≈ $19 – $46 KES 2,500–6,000 Basic cut, salon
South Africa: ≈ $10 – $27 R 170 – R 450 Kenya: ≈ $8 – $15 KES 1,000–2,000 Entrance ticket
South Africa: ≈ $3.60 – $18 R 60 – R 300 Kenya: ≈ $1.50 – $19 KES 200–2,500 Organized excursion
South Africa: ≈ $48 – $90 R 800 – R 1,500 Kenya: ≈ $42 – $93 KES 5,500–12,000 Organized excursion 6-8h
South Africa: ≈ $90 – $150 R 1,500 – R 2,500 Kenya: ≈ $93 – $195 KES 12,000–25,000 Local cuisine cooking class
South Africa: ≈ $27 – $54 R 450 – R 900 Kenya: ≈ $27 – $45 KES 3,500–5,800 Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price in South Africa and 2.8× in Kenya, close to even.
South Africa 30th highest of 60
Kenya 26th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
South Africa Tip 10–15% in South African restaurants; car guards (informal parking attendants) expect 5–10 ZAR when you return to your car, and petrol station attendants appreciate a 3–5 ZAR tip.
Kenya In Kenya tip 10 percent in restaurants. Safari guides expect USD 15 to 20 per person per day and vehicle drivers USD 5 to 10 per person per day. Tipping in US dollars is widely accepted and preferred.
Yes. In Kenya you pay about 21% less than in South Africa at fair prices. TruePrice Index: South Africa 106, Kenya 84 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 20 of the 29 items cost less in Kenya.
A week is cheaper in Kenya: about $115 at fair prices, against $200 in South Africa. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $755 in South Africa and $385 in Kenya.
In Kenya: food and drinks cost about 21% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $9 – $20 in South Africa and $3.90 – $9.30 in Kenya, street food $1.80 – $4.80 and $0.77 – $4.60.
Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price in South Africa and 2.8× in Kenya, close to even. The biggest gaps in South Africa: city taxi 1 km (7.2×), public transit ticket (6.8×), and local handcraft (4.8×). The biggest gaps in Kenya: top museum / attraction (5.6×), local handcraft (5.2×), and water 0.5 L (4.8×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, South Africa vs Kenya, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/south-africa-vs-kenya/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
TruePrice keeps fair and tourist prices for both countries, and 58 more, on your phone. Offline too. Free on iPhone and Android.
