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To live in Runda, Nairobi, at a comfortable lifestyle, your salary needs to cover all the individual monthly expenses thta we have listed below. Let’s break it down carefully. We will calculate the minimum safe salary that can realistically manage this lifestyle for a family of 4–5.
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Estimated Monthly Expenses (from previous breakdown)
1. Rent: 80,000 – 150,000 Ksh
2. Food & groceries (staples + treats): 30,000 – 50,000 Ksh
3. Dining out: 10,000 – 15,000 Ksh
4. Transport (fuel + ride-hailing): 10,000 – 20,000 Ksh
5. Electricity: 6,000 – 12,000 Ksh
6. Water: 2,000 – 5,000 Ksh
7. Internet / Wi-Fi: 2,000 – 8,000 Ksh
8. Garbage / estate fees: 2,000 – 3,000 Ksh
9. Healthcare: 5,000 – 10,000 Ksh
10. Personal care: 2,000 – 5,000 Ksh
11. School fees (private/international, per child): 15,000 – 25,000 Ksh × number of children (assume 2 children → 30,000 – 50,000 Ksh)
12. Clothing: 5,000 – 10,000 Ksh
13. Leisure / gym / entertainment: 5,000 – 10,000 Ksh
14. Household items: 5,000 – 10,000 Ksh
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Step 1: Calculate approximate minimum and maximum monthly total
We’ll sum the lower and upper ranges:
Lower estimate:
80,000 + 30,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 + 6,000 + 2,000 + 2,000 + 2,000 + 5,000 + 2,000 + 30,000 + 5,000 + 5,000 + 5,000 = 194,000 Ksh
Upper estimate:
150,000 + 50,000 + 15,000 + 20,000 + 12,000 + 5,000 + 8,000 + 3,000 + 10,000 + 5,000 + 50,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 + 10,000 = 358,000 Ksh
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Step 2: Add buffer / savings
A comfortable salary should also allow 10–15% for savings or emergencies:
Lower end with 10% buffer: 194,000 × 1.1 ≈ 213,000 Ksh/month
Upper end with 10% buffer: 358,000 × 1.1 ≈ 394,000 Ksh/month
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Minimum comfortable salary: ~210,000 Ksh/month
Maximum comfortable salary (upper range lifestyle): ~390,000 Ksh/month
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This assumes the family is renting a 2–3 bedroom house, sending 2 children to private schools, maintaining utilities, transport, food, and leisure, and saving a small amount each month.
If your lifestyle is more modest (e.g., smaller apartment, fewer meals out, public schooling), the required salary could drop to ~120,000 – 150,000 Ksh/month.

