Compare countries · Kenya vs Nigeria
Kenya vs Nigeria
Across 13 comparable indicators: Kenya leads on 9, Nigeria on 4. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Kenya cheaper than Nigeria?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Kenya at 28.9 and Nigeria at 27.7. Nigeria is about 4% cheaper overall.
Is Kenya or Nigeria safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Kenya scores 2.45 and Nigeria scores 2.75. Kenya ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Kenya or Nigeria?
On the UN Human Development Index, Kenya scores 0.628 and Nigeria scores 0.560. Kenya scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Kenya compared to Nigeria?
GNI per capita runs $2,200 in Kenya against $1,360 in Nigeria; people live 63.8 years on average against 54.6; Numbeo users rate healthcare 62 against 48. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Kenya
28.9
Better than 83% of countries
Nigeria
27.7
Better than 88% of countries
Nigeria: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Kenya
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
Nigeria
22.8
Worse than 77% of countries
Kenya: 66% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Kenya
2.45
Worse than 81% of countries
Nigeria
2.75
Worse than 87% of countries
Kenya: more peaceful (2.45 vs 2.75).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Kenya
44.9
Worse than 75% of countries
Nigeria
33.8
Worse than 91% of countries
Kenya: higher perceived safety (44.9 vs 33.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Kenya
0.628
Worse than 74% of countries
Nigeria
0.560
Worse than 85% of countries
Kenya: higher human development (0.628 vs 0.560).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Kenya
$7,016
Worse than 77% of countries
Nigeria
$9,532
Worse than 70% of countries
Nigeria: 36% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Kenya
63.8 yrs
Worse than 91% of countries
Nigeria
54.6 yrs
Worse than 100% of countries
Kenya: 9.2 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Kenya
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Nigeria
48.3
Worse than 92% of countries
Kenya: better-rated healthcare (62.2 vs 48.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Kenya
16 Mbps
Worse than 97% of countries
Nigeria
36 Mbps
Worse than 82% of countries
Nigeria: 129% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Kenya
51/100
Worse than 59% of countries
Nigeria
48/100
Worse than 62% of countries
Kenya: freer press (51 vs 48 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Kenya
4.67
Worse than 74% of countries
Nigeria
4.79
Worse than 72% of countries
Nigeria: happier on the Cantril ladder (4.79 vs 4.67).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Kenya
593
Better than 79% of countries
Nigeria
568
Better than 71% of countries
Kenya: stronger English proficiency (593 vs 568).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Kenya
87.1
Better than 67% of countries
Nigeria
70.7
Worse than 73% of countries
Kenya: more pleasant climate rating (87.1 vs 70.7).
Deciding between Kenya and Nigeria for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Kenya profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Nigeria profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.