Compare countries · Kenya vs South Africa
Kenya vs South Africa
Kenya(Africa)·
South Africa(Africa)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Kenya leads on 3, South Africa on 9, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Kenya cheaper than South Africa?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Kenya at 28.9 and South Africa at 37.1. Kenya is about 22% cheaper overall.
Is Kenya or South Africa safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Kenya scores 2.45 and South Africa scores 2.31. South Africa ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Kenya or South Africa?
On the UN Human Development Index, Kenya scores 0.628 and South Africa scores 0.741. South Africa 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 South Africa?
GNI per capita runs $2,200 in Kenya against $6,270 in South Africa; people live 63.8 years on average against 66.3; Numbeo users rate healthcare 62 against 64. 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
South Africa
37.1
Better than 63% of countries
Kenya: 22% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Kenya
7.8
Better than 89% of countries
South Africa
13.0
Better than 57% of countries
Kenya: 40% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Kenya
2.45
Worse than 81% of countries
South Africa
2.31
Worse than 76% of countries
South Africa: more peaceful (2.31 vs 2.45).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Kenya
44.9
Worse than 75% of countries
South Africa
25.5
Worse than 97% of countries
Kenya: higher perceived safety (44.9 vs 25.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Kenya
0.628
Worse than 74% of countries
South Africa
0.741
Around the global middle
South Africa: higher human development (0.741 vs 0.628).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Kenya
$7,016
Worse than 77% of countries
South Africa
$15,906
Worse than 59% of countries
South Africa: 127% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Kenya
63.8 yrs
Worse than 91% of countries
South Africa
66.3 yrs
Worse than 84% of countries
South Africa: 2.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Kenya
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
South Africa
64.0
Around the global middle
South Africa: better-rated healthcare (64.0 vs 62.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Kenya
16 Mbps
Worse than 97% of countries
South Africa
48 Mbps
Worse than 73% of countries
South Africa: 204% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Kenya
51/100
Worse than 59% of countries
South Africa
78/100
Better than 88% of countries
South Africa: freer press (78 vs 51 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Kenya
4.67
Worse than 74% of countries
South Africa
5.01
Worse than 69% of countries
South Africa: happier on the Cantril ladder (5.01 vs 4.67).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Kenya
593
Better than 79% of countries
South Africa
602
Better than 83% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Kenya
87.1
Better than 67% of countries
South Africa
95.7
Better than 94% of countries
South Africa: more pleasant climate rating (95.7 vs 87.1).
Deciding between Kenya and South Africa 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 South Africa profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.