Last update: Oct 2026 2.5M

Cost of Living in Botswana

Name: Botswana
Address: BW

Across Botswana, living costs for one person average $845 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $19 a day.

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🇧🇼 Botswana

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Botswana

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Botswana actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $845 including rent across Botswana.

$845 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,300 including rent across Botswana.

$1,300 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,755 including rent across Botswana.

$1,755 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.28 P 137

$3.73 P 49.90

$18.68 P 250

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.31 P 392

$21.98 P 294

$58.6 P 783

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.74 P 76.7

$5.39 P 72.0

$8.62 P 115

Cappuccino

$2.39 P 31.97

$0.97 P 12.90

$3.73 P 49.81

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 P 10.01

$0.56 P 7.54

$1.62 P 21.71

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 P 6.04

$0.37 P 4.94

$0.60 P 7.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.87 P 24.95

$1.08 P 14.39

$3.23 P 43.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 P 31.31

$1.81 P 24.14

$3.25 P 43.38

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 P 19.94

$1.12 P 14.99

$1.72 P 22.97

White Bread (500g)

$0.88 P 11.79

$0.66 P 8.81

$1.22 P 16.26

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.86 P 24.86

$1.47 P 19.70

$2.58 P 34.51

Eggs

$2.43 P 32.42

$1.76 P 23.50

$3.30 P 44.17

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.53 P 87.3

$3.36 P 44.88

$11.19 P 150

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.78 P 63.9

$2.95 P 39.40

$6.11 P 81.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.27 P 70.5

$3.72 P 49.66

$6.62 P 88.5

Apples (1kg)

$1.49 P 19.93

$1.07 P 14.29

$2.49 P 33.31

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 P 18.98

$0.96 P 12.83

$2.23 P 29.76

Oranges (1kg)

$1.97 P 26.32

$1.10 P 14.71

$2.94 P 39.28

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 P 21.07

$1.14 P 15.28

$2.15 P 28.71

Potato (1kg)

$1.31 P 17.57

$0.72 P 9.57

$1.57 P 20.98

Onion (1kg)

$1.25 P 16.66

$0.71 P 9.50

$1.41 P 18.87

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.25 P 16.77

$0.71 P 9.43

$2.14 P 28.56

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.93 P 12.40

$0.73 P 9.81

$1.41 P 18.81

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.55 P 47.51

$3.20 P 42.80

$4.98 P 66.6

Wine (Bottle)

$4.43 P 59.1

$3.68 P 49.24

$7.38 P 98.6

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 P 19.53

$1.12 P 14.99

$1.87 P 25.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 P 24.22

$1.35 P 18.02

$2.24 P 29.99

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 P 8.48

$0.52 P 6.98

$0.75 P 9.98

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.75 P 384

$14.38 P 192

$35.95 P 480

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.63 P 8.45

$0.59 P 7.91

$2.22 P 29.72

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.49 P 33.26

$2.35 P 31.43

$4.27 P 57.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.85 P 38.09

$2.49 P 33.24

$2.85 P 38.09

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 P 17.76

$1.08 P 14.47

$1.47 P 19.60

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.7K P 263.7K

$12.2K P 163.0K

$21.5K P 287.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.4K P 272.2K

$14.6K P 195.1K

$34.0K P 454.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$60.1 P 804

$36.45 P 487

$109 P 1,461

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$18.38 P 246

$8.58 P 115

$28.60 P 382

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.73 P 584

$36.35 P 486

$50.8 P 679

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.31 P 445

$25.56 P 342

$43.81 P 586

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.45 P 220

$7.32 P 97.8

$25.59 P 342

Cinema Ticket

$6.15 P 82.1

$4.34 P 57.9

$14.45 P 193

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$142 P 1,901

$108 P 1,448

$217 P 2,896

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,278 P 30.4K

$1,101 P 14.7K

$3,669 P 49.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.87 P 653

$28.95 P 387

$57.9 P 774

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.36 P 272

$10.85 P 145

$32.56 P 435

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.0 P 1,029

$36.23 P 484

$109 P 1,453

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.0 P 1,149

$57.3 P 766

$107 P 1,436

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$284 P 3,792

$181 P 2,418

$527 P 7,041

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$207 P 2,768

$145 P 1,934

$434 P 5,803

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$502 P 6,712

$363 P 4,851

$828 P 11.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$334 P 4,464

$258 P 3,451

$701 P 9,368

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,991 P 26.6K

$1,822 P 24.4K

$2,151 P 28.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,255 P 16.8K

$1,225 P 16.4K

$1,275 P 17.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$838 P 11.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.33

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Botswana $845

Accommodation & Living

$207 24.5%

Groceries & Markets

$174 20.6%

Eating Out

$147 17.4%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$122 14.5%

Clothing & Footwear

$104 12.4%

Sport & Entertainment

$46 5.4%

Getting Around

$44 5.3%

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $955. With average costs at $845, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $77.0 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $10.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($845) is 37% below the global median of $1,350.

Average rent ($37.00) is 94% below the global median of $652.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($10.00) is 79% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($2.00) is 94% below the global median of $34.00.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

01:21 1:21 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,480,244

💱 Currency

Botswana Pula BWP P

📈 Exchange rate

100 BWP = 7.48 USD

100 BWP = 6.66 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

By City in Botswana

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Bobonong	21216						176.86	32.5
2	Bokaa	9146						102.68	41.09
3	Bonwapitse	568	28	$510	$571	$1,207	$1,268	41.09	32.5
4	Francistown	100079		$308	$1,034	$697	$697	225.78	70.84
5	Gabane	14842			$118		$211	95.56	79.7
6	Gaborone	231626	41	$576	$845	$1,353	$1,763	31.39	81.79
7	Maun	55784		$2.88	$2.88	$6.90	$6.90	359.85	69.03
8	Palapye	26000	28	$511	$572	$1,208	$1,269	245.69	32.5
9	Pilikwe	1375	28	$508	$568	$1,199	$1,259	119.05	32.5
10	Sebina	3030						192.27	32.5
11	Selibe Phikwe	49724						193.84	58.21
12	Serowe	47447		$80.7	$80.7	$201	$201	130.65	4.57
13	Tlokweng	35982	28	$511	$571	$1,212	$1,272	98.37	76.73
14	Tonota	23296						285.44	32.5

Botswana Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Botswana - Frequently Asked Questions

Botswana offers a balanced blend of value and quality for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In major cities you'll find reliable services and solid connectivity, but living costs scale with urban amenities. The Cost of Living in Botswana remains reasonable for everyday needs when you lean into local options and choose housing outside the prime districts. You'll maximize value by sharing housing, shopping at markets, cooking at home, and using public transport or teleworking from walkable neighborhoods. If you prioritize safety, stable infrastructure, and a supportive community, you'll often find good value relative to many destinations in the region. Tip: Map out a few neighborhoods that balance comfort with cost and test the vibe before committing.

Daily life in Botswana blends markets, modern services, and outdoor rhythm. In cities you can choose from shared flats to private apartments in growing neighborhoods, with quiet blocks that suit remote work. Food options range from fresh produce markets and bakeries to affordable eateries and supermarkets. For transport, you'll rely on a mix of public buses, minivans, ride-hailing where available, and very walkable centers. Errands and coworking go smoothly in town centers with Wi-Fi hubs, but rural areas require planning. Botswana living cost varies by location and season, so your plan should adapt to local options and your work needs. Tip: cluster errands by neighborhood to reduce trips and save time.

Budgeting for a comfortable life in Botswana starts with a flexible framework. Group your expenses into housing, food, transport, and leisure, then set practical limits based on your work setup. Botswana experiences a warm, dry season and a rainy period; plan outdoor activities and energy use around these patterns to save on cooling and lighting. Neighborhood fit matters: a calmer district near shops and clinics can reduce transport time and stress. Practical savings include cooking at home, buying in-season produce, choosing public transit, and leveraging coworking days to minimize office costs. Tip: trial short stays in a few neighborhoods to feel the rhythm before committing.

As a lower-cost destination, Botswana attracts expats, retirees, and long-term visitors on fixed budgets. Smaller cities are especially wallet-friendly, while bigger centers charge more but remain competitive globally.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Botswana drop fast. Bobonong is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,200 a month goes far in Botswana, especially outside the big cities. It's a realistic single-person budget that covers housing, food, transport, and leisure comfortably.