Kenya vs Philippines
Kenya costs roughly 2% less than Philippines, though Philippines scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Kenya is approximately 2% less expensive than Philippines based on cost of living including rent. This makes Kenya a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Kenya has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 44, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Kenya is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Kenya
Kenya suits budget-focused retirees comfortable trading big-city safety for cheap living, not those chasing polish. Rent outside the center runs $140.77/mo and English is widely spoken, but the Safety Index sits at just 44 with low expat safety ratings. The Kenya does not offer a specific retirement visa, but long-stay options exist needs only $2,000/mo income, though political stability at -0.71 and a complex citizenship path mean this is a residency, not a homecoming.
$2,245/mo
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About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$2,147/mo
Not sure which Philippines visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Kenya | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 101.7 +4.8 | 96.9 |
| Healthcare Index | 62 | 67.3 +5.3 |
| Safety Index | 44 | 56.9 +12.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 28.2 +0.6 | 28.8 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $496.6 +24.2 | $520.8 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $1,821.4 +32.6 | $1,854 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $258.58 +73.99 | $332.57 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $140.77 +45.44 | $186.21 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $808.56 | $663.94 +144.62 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $385.74 | $362.86 +22.88 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 45.35 Mbps | 187.25 Mbps +141.9 |
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Kenya and Philippines, side by side.
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