What Every Kenyan Should Know Before Moving to the US in 2025 (Real Experiences)

As thousands of Kenyans continue exploring opportunities abroad, the United States remains one of the most sought-after destinations. From education and healthcare to tech and logistics, the American economy offers strong career paths—but the move is not always smooth. In 2025, the journey is shaped by higher living costs, stricter immigration rules, and the growing Kenyan diaspora communities that provide support along the way.

Here’s what every Kenyan should know before making the leap, based on real-life experiences from Kenyan immigrants living across the U.S.

🇺🇸 1. The U.S. Is Not One Country - It’s 50 Different Experiences

Many newcomers imagine “America” as one uniform place. In reality, each state has its own economy, culture, and cost of living.

Most popular states for Kenyans in 2025:

Texas – Affordable housing, strong tech and healthcare jobs
Minnesota – Large Kenyan community, good public schools
Ohio – Many students and entry-level job opportunities
Washington – High tech salaries but expensive housing
Georgia – Growing Kenyan business community

A Kenyan in Dallas pays very different rent compared to one in Seattle. For example:

Dallas, TX: 1-bedroom apartment – $1,250–$1,500/month
Seattle, WA: 1-bedroom – $2,000–$2,500/month

Choose your state based on affordability, job market, and community support, not popularity.

💵 2. Cost of Living Is Much Higher Than Most Expect

Almost every Kenyan newcomer says: “I was not prepared for how expensive life in America is.”

The biggest shocks:

Healthcare is not free
Taxes, including income taxes, are high in most states
Childcare ix expensive
Credit score determines everything—from renting apartments to phone plans to buying cars

Plan for at least:

Three months of living expenses
Emergency medical funds
A car or transit card, depending on the city

🛂 3. Visa Type Determines Your Entire Life

The U.S. immigration system is strict and complicated.

Most common visas for Kenyans:

F-1 (Student Visa) – Most popular
H-1B (Work Visa) – Very competitive, lottery-based
DV Lottery (Green Card) – Random selection
K-1 (Fiancé(e) Visa) – For those marrying U.S. citizens
B-1/B-2 (Visitor Visa) – Not for working

Real-life problem:
Many Kenyans who arrive on tourist visas and attempt to work fall out of status and struggle for years.

Before traveling, be absolutely clear on:

What your visa allows
Work restrictions
Duration of stay
Whether you can change status

🏥 4. Healthcare Is Extremely Expensive

One ER visit, even for a minor issue, can cost:

$1,500–$5,000 without insurance

Many Kenyans in the U.S. say: “Medical bills shocked me more than rent.”

Always ensure you:

Get health insurance through an employer, school, or marketplace

Understand what your plan covers

Avoid unnecessary ER visits—use urgent care when possible

🚗 5. In Most States, You Will Need a Car

Only a few cities have reliable public transportation:

New York

Boston

Chicago

Seattle

Washington, D.C.

In most other states especially outside of major cities, life without a car is extremely difficult.

Costs to expect:

$4,000–$12,000 for a used car

$150–$400 per month for insurance depending on several factors such as your age, gender, driving experience, and zip code.

Fuel averaging $3–$5 per gallon

💼 6. Jobs Are Plenty—But Not Always What You Expected at First

Many Kenyan immigrants say their first job in the U.S. was not their dream job.

Common entry-level jobs:

CNA / caregiver
Warehouse associate
Delivery driver
Security officer
Restaurant work

However, once you build experience, certifications, a US resume, and a stable immigration status, you can move into higher-paying careers such as tech, nursing, aviation, logistics, finance, or entrepreneurship.

🎓 7. U.S. Education Offers Strong Opportunities

Kenyan students in 2025 are choosing: