City comparison

Edinburgh vs Nairobi

Edinburgh scores higher on salary; Nairobi has a lower cost of living. Compare Edinburgh and Nairobi on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Edinburgh scores higher overall

Nairobi would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

EdinburghOverall fitNairobi
45 / 31+14 Edinburgh
EdinburghSavingsNairobi
39 / 33+6 Edinburgh
EdinburghCareerNairobi
58 / 32+26 Edinburgh
EdinburghLow pressureNairobi
49 / 24+25 Edinburgh

If you want career growth

EdinburghOverall fitNairobi
52 / 31+21 Edinburgh
EdinburghSavingsNairobi
39 / 33+6 Edinburgh
EdinburghCareerNairobi
58 / 32+26 Edinburgh
EdinburghLow pressureNairobi
49 / 24+25 Edinburgh

If you want better balance

EdinburghOverall fitNairobi
58 / 39+19 Edinburgh
EdinburghSavingsNairobi
39 / 33+6 Edinburgh
EdinburghCareerNairobi
58 / 32+26 Edinburgh
EdinburghLow pressureNairobi
49 / 24+25 Edinburgh

Financial impact: moving from Edinburgh to Nairobi

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$1,825
Monthly
-$21,900
1 year
-$65,700
3 years

Moving from Edinburgh to Nairobi: trade-offs

You lose

-$1,825/mo estimated net reduction — $21,900 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income
Lower lifestyle score — Nairobi ranks below your current city on liveability

Edinburgh

GB
Salary index
50
Cost index
64
Rent pressure
51
Opportunity
62

Nairobi

KE
Salary index
16
Cost index
24
Rent pressure
76
Opportunity
40

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