A new BuyRentKenya report has revealed Nairobi's priciest areas for renting or buying homes, ranking Rosslyn as the top spot. Muthaiga and Lower Kabete also lead for expensive standalone house rentals. Apartment prices have stabilized, but luxury units in Westlands and Kilimani exceed KSh50 million.
The BuyRentKenya report covering January to December 2025, published on February 12, 2026, highlights strong demand for high-end rental homes in Nairobi's suburbs amid economic pressures. Rosslyn is ranked as the most expensive place to live, followed by Muthaiga and Lower Kabete for standalone house rentals.
For apartment purchases, General Mathenge, Spring Valley, and Kilimani top the list of priciest areas. The report states, "Apartment prices have been largely stable compared to the first half of 2025. The increased supply in areas like Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Westlands has slowed price growth."
In prime neighborhoods such as Westlands, Kilimani, and Riverside, luxury apartment prices exceed KSh50 million, with high land costs making affordable housing developments economically unviable. Loresho ranks among the costliest residential zones, where rentals in gated communities draw high-income earners seeking privacy.
Kilimani and Kileleshwa remain favorites among young professionals, and while expatriate supply has grown due to high-rise buildings, rents stay elevated compared to middle-income estates. For land prices, Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD), Brookside, South B, and Eastleigh are the most expensive.
The report predicts continued apartment developments, particularly in Westlands, Kileleshwa, and Upper Hill. Satellite towns like Ruaka, Syokimau, Ruiru, and Ongata Rongai are expected to become new apartment hubs, attracting investors priced out of central Nairobi. It also forecasts gradual land value appreciation in these towns, bolstered by ongoing road expansions and anticipated election-year infrastructure projects.
