Last update: Oct 2026 556K

Cost of Living in Cape Verde

Across Cape Verde, living costs for one person average $1,118 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $24 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cape Verde

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

A single person spends around $1,118 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

$1,118 /mo

A couple spends around $1,695 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

$1,695 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,271 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

$2,271 /mo
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.54 CVE 543
$3.53 CVE 346
$11.08 CVE 1,087
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.7 CVE 5,267
$30.70 CVE 3,010
$162 CVE 15.8K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.41 CVE 923
$5.99 CVE 587
$11.00 CVE 1,078
Cappuccino
$2.44 CVE 240
$0.82 CVE 80.9
$4.58 CVE 449
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 CVE 208
$1.55 CVE 152
$3.09 CVE 303
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 CVE 113
$0.99 CVE 97.3
$1.49 CVE 147
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.04 CVE 298
$2.06 CVE 202
$5.15 CVE 505
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 CVE 197
$1.57 CVE 153
$2.61 CVE 255
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.45 CVE 142
$1.34 CVE 131
$1.64 CVE 161
White Bread (500g)
$1.77 CVE 173
$1.04 CVE 102
$3.12 CVE 306
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.87 CVE 183
$0.81 CVE 79.0
$5.04 CVE 494
Eggs
$2.34 CVE 229
$1.67 CVE 164
$2.99 CVE 293
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.26 CVE 1,300
$6.04 CVE 592
$40.27 CVE 3,948
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.41 CVE 824
$4.54 CVE 445
$10.09 CVE 989
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.07 CVE 1,772
$7.48 CVE 733
$23.92 CVE 2,345
Apples (1kg)
$3.00 CVE 294
$2.00 CVE 196
$4.48 CVE 439
Banana (1kg)
$2.62 CVE 257
$2.06 CVE 202
$4.11 CVE 403
Oranges (1kg)
$2.89 CVE 284
$1.31 CVE 128
$7.53 CVE 739
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 CVE 383
$1.04 CVE 102
$10.40 CVE 1,020
Potato (1kg)
$1.55 CVE 152
$0.82 CVE 80.8
$1.85 CVE 182
Onion (1kg)
$1.73 CVE 169
$1.20 CVE 117
$1.99 CVE 195
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.29 CVE 126
$0.52 CVE 51.1
$2.08 CVE 203
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 CVE 118
$0.67 CVE 66.1
$1.48 CVE 146
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.19 CVE 509
$4.67 CVE 458
$6.95 CVE 682
Wine (Bottle)
$8.09 CVE 794
$6.07 CVE 595
$9.10 CVE 892
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.03 CVE 200
$1.53 CVE 150
$2.55 CVE 250
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 CVE 175
$1.48 CVE 145
$1.97 CVE 193
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 CVE 86.7
$0.43 CVE 42.37
$1.99 CVE 196
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.78 CVE 3,018
$28.23 CVE 2,768
$30.78 CVE 3,018
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 CVE 196
$1.50 CVE 147
$2.49 CVE 244
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.59 CVE 254
$1.56 CVE 153
$3.12 CVE 306
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.25 CVE 1,495
$10.17 CVE 998
$20.34 CVE 1,994
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.54 CVE 151
$1.31 CVE 129
$1.81 CVE 177
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K CVE 2.8M
$27.5K CVE 2.7M
$30.6K CVE 3.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.6K CVE 3.7M
$35.1K CVE 3.4M
$40.1K CVE 3.9M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$147 CVE 14.4K
$61.4 CVE 6,018
$205 CVE 20.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.89 CVE 1,656
$6.18 CVE 606
$30.90 CVE 3,030
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.2 CVE 5,116
$49.84 CVE 4,886
$62.3 CVE 6,107
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.07 CVE 2,850
$24.92 CVE 2,443
$29.91 CVE 2,932
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.81 CVE 765
$3.05 CVE 299
$10.19 CVE 999
Cinema Ticket
$5.72 CVE 560
$5.20 CVE 510
$6.24 CVE 612
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$141 CVE 13.9K
$99.9 CVE 9,790
$200 CVE 19.6K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,140 CVE 307.9K
$1,116 CVE 109.4K
$5,165 CVE 506.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6 CVE 5,063
$30.47 CVE 2,987
$83.8 CVE 8,220
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.33 CVE 2,483
$20.26 CVE 1,986
$30.39 CVE 2,980
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.7 CVE 6,537
$51.3 CVE 5,029
$82.1 CVE 8,046
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$135 CVE 13.2K
$60.6 CVE 5,944
$182 CVE 17.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$415 CVE 40.7K
$302 CVE 29.6K
$805 CVE 78.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$248 CVE 24.4K
$182 CVE 17.8K
$353 CVE 34.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$590 CVE 57.8K
$366 CVE 35.9K
$1,126 CVE 110.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$331 CVE 32.4K
$254 CVE 24.9K
$814 CVE 79.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,111 CVE 108.9K
$657 CVE 64.4K
$1,414 CVE 138.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$766 CVE 75.1K
$330 CVE 32.4K
$999 CVE 98.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$329 CVE 32.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.33
4.5
9

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

Last update: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Cape Verde $1,118
Groceries & Markets
$304
Accommodation & Living
$248
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$216
Eating Out
$134
Clothing & Footwear
$125
Getting Around
$49
Sport & Entertainment
$41

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Cape Verde is $283 – below average monthly costs of $1,118. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $176 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $27.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,118) is 17% below the global median of $1,350.

Average rent ($165) is 75% below the global median of $652.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($27.00) is 44% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($12.00) is 65% below the global median of $34.00.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
20:54 8:54 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
555,988
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CVE – Cabo Verdean Escudo Converter

Cabo Verdean Escudo exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 98.05 CVE (100 CVE = 1.02 USD). 1 EUR = 110 CVE (1,000 CVE = 9.07 EUR).

By City in Cape Verde
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
3319
68.01
57.4
2
70000
$387 $387 $1,152 $1,403
20.04
47.26
3
127832
58 $732 $1,198 $1,735 $2,394
158.23
63.51
4
1288
41 $621 $850 $1,510 $1,777
226.77
65.99
5
75601
-
-
Cape Verde Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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 Cape Verde - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability of Cape Verde stack up for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Cape Verde typically feels approachable for essentials, with variation by island and lifestyle. You can find inexpensive local meals and straightforward housing options, while imported goods and some services may run higher. Housing ranges from modest apartments near town centers to quieter options with sea views; timing matters as seasonal demand shifts. Public transport and ride-hailing can keep costs reasonable, but trips between islands require planning. Overall value grows when you mix local shopping, shared workspaces, and flexible housing. Tip: Start with a trial month in a couple of neighborhoods to feel the pulse and budget accordingly.
What does daily life look like in terms of housing search, food, transport, and errands on the islands?
Cape Verde living cost varies by locale and habit, so plan around what you value most. In daily life, you should start your housing search near neighborhoods that balance walkability with calm streets; look for options with good ventilation and natural light. Food options range from lively markets with fresh produce to simple local eateries where you can stretch a budget. Transport is practical: buses and shared taxis cover main routes, while ferries connect the islands. For errands, expect slower rhythms in some areas but reliable basic services. Tip: Build a simple weekly routine that prioritizes essential spots and flexible days for market visits.
What budgeting strategies and neighborhood considerations help you maximize quality of life and plan around seasonality?
To maximize quality of life in Cape Verde, adopt a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, daily meals, transport, and activities; track what you truly use. Seasonality matters for tourism spikes and energy usage, so plan purchases and major purchases in quieter periods. Neighborhood fit depends on pace and access: consider coastal towns for sea access or inland areas for tranquility. Use local price benchmarks and test before committing long term; try coworking spaces and local clubs to build a network. Tip: Build a practical monthly plan that balances housing, food, and exploration while leaving room for seasonal changes.
Is Cape Verde expensive compared to other countries?
Cape Verde is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.
Is rent expensive in Cape Verde?
Rent in Cape Verde varies a lot – Praia has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.
Can you live in Cape Verde on $800 per month?
Absolutely – in smaller cities across Cape Verde, $800 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.

Cape Verde vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby countries

Similar countries

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?