Nairobi vs. Amman: Detailed 2026 Comparison

Amman demonstrates a clear advantage in overall quality of life, scoring significantly higher on key metrics. The city's Quality of Life Index stands at 123.66, contrasting sharply with Nairobi's 79.66. This disparity is most evident in safety, where Amman's index of 62.68 substantially outperforms Nairobi's considerably lower 44.44, indicating a more secure environment for residents.

Environmental conditions present a different picture, with both cities facing challenges but Amman recording a slightly higher pollution index (79.66) compared to Nairobi's 76.6. However, Nairobi edges out Amman in sanitation, scoring 65.58 versus Amman's 65.58, though the difference is negligible. Climate comfort levels, measured at 89.05 in both cities, suggest similar living conditions regarding weather.

The Cost of Living Index clearly favors Amman (42.83) over Nairobi (56.99), making it comparatively more affordable. This advantage is particularly pronounced in housing costs relative to income, with Amman's Property Price to Income Ratio at 8.86 significantly lower than Nairobi's 15.66. While Amman offers lower costs for groceries and transportation, it presents higher expenses for dining out and household essentials compared to Nairobi.

Amman boasts a higher average net salary ($697.76/month) than Nairobi ($400.75/month). Crucially, Amman's purchasing power is superior, making it more affordable for expatriates despite the higher nominal salary. A monthly salary of $1000 would provide greater financial comfort in Amman than in Nairobi, highlighting the city's cost-of-living advantage.

Healthcare quality shows a marginal edge for Amman, with an index of 72.58 compared to Nairobi's 65.58. Utilities present a clear disadvantage for Amman, with monthly bills ($119.70) substantially higher than Nairobi's ($70.00), despite comparable mobile data and internet services. Overall, Amman presents a superior quality of life with better safety and quality scores, while Nairobi offers lower costs for specific essentials, though at the cost of significantly lower quality of life metrics.