Skyline of Kayes
Cost of Living: 65 300,000

Kayes, Mali

Kayes is a major city in Mali with a population of 300,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Kayes is a city in Kayes with a population of 300,000. Kayes is a major city in Mali with a population of 300,000. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 290 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 16.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 65

Below Average vs Mali Avg (100)

Housing Index 70

Affordable

Median Income CFA 840,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Kayes vs Mali Average

Cost of Living
Kayes: 65
Mali Avg: 100
Housing Index
Kayes: 70
Mali Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CFA 840,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 300,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 290/year
  • Summer High: 98°F
  • Winter Low: 65°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: CFA18,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: CFA70000/mo

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Cost of Living

Kayes's cost of living index is 65 (Mali average = 100).

CategoryKayesNational AverageDifference
Overall65100-35.0%
Housing70100-30.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCFA18,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)CFA70000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CFA87,500/mo
Price per Sq FtCFA12,000

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

CFA
%
$90,000 down
%
%
CFA

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Kayes:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCFA30000
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)CFA83Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCFA10000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CFA20000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCFA60083Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Kayes scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 65
Rent
— CFA70000
Sunny Days
— 290
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 98°F / 65°F
Safety
— 8.0 homicides/100k
Population
— 300,000
Internet Speed
— 8 Mbps

Climate

Kayes has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January85°F65°F2.5"
April83°F80°F2.8"
July98°F73°F1.5"
October78°F83°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Kayes faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Sahel region with extreme drought conditions.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat in the Sahel.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

Niger River flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year October to July
Term System Trimester — 1st (Oct-Dec), 2nd (Jan-Apr), 3rd (May-Jul)
Summer Break July to October (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Eid al-Fitr break (1-2 weeks)

French-influenced education system.

Demographics

The population of Kayes is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Bambara
34.0%
Fulani
14.0%
Other
43.0%
Soninke
9.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.0%
High school graduate
20.0%
Less than high school
60.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Christian
3.0%
Folk
2.0%
Muslim
95.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Institut National de la Statistique (2009)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kayes, Mali?

The cost of living index in Kayes is 65, which is Lower the Mali national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Kayes?

The median home price in Kayes is CFA18,000,000. The housing index is 70.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kayes is approximately CFA70000/mo.

Does Kayes, Kayes have income tax?

Kayes is in Kayes, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Kayes?

Kayes enjoys approximately 290 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 98°F, while winter lows can drop to around 65°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.