Nairobi vs. Surrey: Detailed 2026 Comparison

This analysis compares Nairobi, Kenya, and Surrey, Canada, focusing on cost of living, quality of life, and economic indicators. The data reflects 2026 estimates and highlights key differences in affordability, safety, healthcare, and housing. While Nairobi offers a significantly lower cost of living, Surrey provides a higher quality of life with better infrastructure and services. Nairobi: Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: $380/month. Price per square meter for an apartment: $1,000–$1,200. Property Price to Income Ratio: 14.9. Surrey: Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: $1,500/month. Price per square meter for an apartment: $8,800–$9,900. Property Price to Income Ratio: 14.9. Surrey’s housing costs are substantially higher than Nairobi’s, but the property market is more stable and reflects higher economic value. | Category | Nairobi (USD) | Surrey (USD) | |-||-| | Inexpensive Restaurant Meal | $5 | $18 | | Mid-Range Restaurant (2) | $15 | $73 | | Cappuccino | $1.5 | $3.9 | | Gasoline (1 liter) | $0.8 | $1.3 | | Utilities (85m² apt) | $40 | $184 | Surrey’s daily expenses are significantly higher, particularly for dining, transportation, and utilities. | Metric | Nairobi | Surrey | |-|--|| | Quality of Life Index | 161.07 | 161.07 | | Safety Index | 35.48 | 35.48 | | Health Care Index | 67.24 | 67.24 | | Climate Index | 88.55 | 88.55 | | Pollution Index | 32.27 | 32.27 | Surrey scores higher across all quality metrics, indicating better public safety, healthcare access, environmental conditions, and overall livability.

Climate Index

99.8 / 88.6

Cost of Living Index

31.2 / 67.6

Nairobi   Surrey

Health Care Index

63.2 / 67.2

Pollution Index

79.8 / 32.3

Nairobi   Surrey

Purchasing Power Index

37.9 / 121.1

Quality of Life Index

95.7 / 161.1

Nairobi   Surrey

Safety Index

40.9 / 35.5

Traffic Commute Time Index

53.7 / 36.7

Nairobi   Surrey