Cost of Living in Botswana - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Botswana
Address: BW

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $296 including rent across Botswana.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $470 including rent across Botswana.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $644 including rent across Botswana.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.34 P 102

$3.67 P 50.9

$14.69 P 203

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.40 P 421

$19.00 P 263

$60.8 P 842

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.25 P 86.6

$5.68 P 78.7

$9.09 P 126

Cappuccino

$2.19 P 30.38

$0.95 P 13.21

$3.67 P 50.8

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

$0.85 P 11.73

$0.64 P 8.93

$1.43 P 19.85

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.54 P 7.54

$0.39 P 5.37

$0.79 P 10.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 P 31.66

$1.14 P 15.83

$3.43 P 47.49

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 P 40.37

$2.19 P 30.34

$3.65 P 50.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.37 P 18.94

$1.09 P 15.15

$1.82 P 25.16

White Bread (500g)

$0.84 P 11.65

$0.48 P 6.60

$1.44 P 19.94

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 P 25.46

$1.15 P 15.93

$2.30 P 31.86

Eggs

$2.21 P 30.60

$1.48 P 20.54

$2.97 P 41.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.71 P 107

$3.43 P 47.56

$12.19 P 169

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.29 P 73.3

$3.03 P 42.02

$7.59 P 105

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.43 P 75.2

$3.65 P 50.5

$6.50 P 90.0

Apples (1kg)

$1.69 P 23.39

$0.89 P 12.31

$2.21 P 30.63

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 P 18.80

$0.96 P 13.31

$1.84 P 25.53

Oranges (1kg)

$1.73 P 23.93

$1.11 P 15.32

$2.94 P 40.76

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 P 21.25

$1.17 P 16.21

$2.20 P 30.51

Potato (1kg)

$1.34 P 18.61

$0.59 P 8.15

$1.61 P 22.28

Onion (1kg)

$1.29 P 17.82

$0.76 P 10.52

$2.27 P 31.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 P 16.28

$0.77 P 10.62

$1.98 P 27.46

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 P 11.74

$0.64 P 8.84

$1.07 P 14.77

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.74 P 51.8

$3.44 P 47.66

$5.81 P 80.4

Wine (Bottle)

$4.56 P 63.2

$3.80 P 52.7

$7.59 P 105

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 P 22.25

$1.10 P 15.29

$2.21 P 30.58

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 P 28.07

$1.33 P 18.44

$2.96 P 41.00

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.53 P 7.34

$0.61 P 8.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.14 P 390

$14.97 P 207

$44.90 P 622

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.61 P 8.49

$0.53 P 7.36

$0.68 P 9.48

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.61 P 36.21

$2.36 P 32.65

$4.29 P 59.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.90 P 40.11

$3.63 P 50.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.13 P 15.72

$1.07 P 14.87

$1.27 P 17.54

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

$22.4K P 310.6K

$12.7K P 176.0K

$28.3K P 392.4K

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

$16.7K P 231.3K

$14.8K P 205.6K

$22.3K P 308.4K

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

$64.6 P 895

$33.30 P 461

$101 P 1,394

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

$25.75 P 357

$18.28 P 253

$43.86 P 607

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.8 P 1,078

$37.57 P 520

$150 P 2,081

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.82 P 455

$26.41 P 366

$45.26 P 627

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.46 P 145

Cinema Ticket

$6.79 P 94.1

$5.29 P 73.2

$10.57 P 146

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

$164 P 2,275

$110 P 1,522

$293 P 4,058

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,615 P 50.1K

$1,823 P 25.2K

$5,316 P 73.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$43.62 P 604

$25.68 P 356

$58.7 P 813

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.37 P 296

$11.11 P 154

$44.42 P 615

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 P 1,069

$45.48 P 630

$152 P 2,100

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.3 P 1,223

$37.84 P 524

$151 P 2,096

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$237 P 3,286

$185 P 2,561

$333 P 4,610

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$147 P 2,034

$111 P 1,544

$186 P 2,573

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$511 P 7,073

$370 P 5,124

$740 P 10.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$342 P 4,739

$260 P 3,594

$556 P 7,701

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,008 P 27.8K

$1,826 P 25.3K

$2,198 P 30.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,291 P 17.9K

$1,270 P 17.6K

$1,322 P 18.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$823 P 11.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.12

7.5

10.5

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

Last update: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National average salary: $997. With average costs at $296, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $84.0 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $12.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($296) is 78% below the global median of $1,339.

Average rent ($39.00) is 94% below the global median of $625.

Dining out ($12.00) is 75% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($3.00) is 91% below the global median of $33.00.

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	-						176.86	32.5
2	Bokaa	-						102.68	41.09
3	Bonwapitse	-	31	$625	$618	$1,181	$1,321	41.09	32.5
4	Francistown	100079		$425	$376	$899	$864	225.78	70.84
5	Gabane	14842		$199	$371	$442	$748	95.56	79.7
6	Gaborone	231626	41	$609	$833	$1,407	$1,817	31.39	81.79
7	Maun	55784		$2.70	$2.91	$6.30	$7.37	359.85	69.03
8	Palapye	26000	31	$572	$624	$1,143	$1,437	245.69	32.5
9	Pilikwe	-	31	$616	$624	$1,371	$1,323	119.05	32.5
10	Sebina	-						192.27	32.5
11	Selibe Phikwe	49724						193.84	58.21
12	Serowe	47447		$89.2	$83.1	$207	$205	130.65	4.57
13	Tlokweng	35982	31	$506	$615	$1,371	$1,300	98.37	76.73
14	Tonota	-						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. Tonota is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$1,000 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.