Cost of Living in Cape Verde - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $509 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A couple spends around $839 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A family of three spends around $1,169 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.67 CVE 539
$3.60 CVE 343
$11.32 CVE 1,077
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.9 CVE 5,224
$31.39 CVE 2,985
$159 CVE 15.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.34 CVE 793
$5.21 CVE 495
$11.50 CVE 1,094
Cappuccino
$2.49 CVE 237
$0.85 CVE 80.7
$4.54 CVE 432
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 CVE 201
$1.56 CVE 148
$3.11 CVE 296
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19 CVE 113
$1.03 CVE 98.2
$1.55 CVE 148
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.07 CVE 292
$2.08 CVE 198
$5.20 CVE 495
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 CVE 189
$1.55 CVE 147
$2.57 CVE 245
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 CVE 145
$1.40 CVE 134
$1.72 CVE 164
White Bread (500g)
$1.77 CVE 168
$1.04 CVE 98.6
$3.12 CVE 297
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.90 CVE 180
$0.82 CVE 77.7
$5.12 CVE 486
Eggs
$2.44 CVE 232
$1.75 CVE 166
$3.12 CVE 296
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.03 CVE 1,335
$6.39 CVE 608
$42.61 CVE 4,052
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.69 CVE 827
$4.69 CVE 446
$10.43 CVE 992
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 CVE 1,840
$8.00 CVE 761
$25.60 CVE 2,434
Apples (1kg)
$3.22 CVE 307
$2.14 CVE 203
$4.81 CVE 458
Banana (1kg)
$2.66 CVE 253
$2.08 CVE 198
$4.17 CVE 397
Oranges (1kg)
$3.00 CVE 285
$1.36 CVE 129
$7.82 CVE 743
Tomato (1kg)
$4.01 CVE 381
$1.06 CVE 101
$10.65 CVE 1,013
Potato (1kg)
$1.61 CVE 153
$0.86 CVE 81.4
$1.93 CVE 183
Onion (1kg)
$1.77 CVE 169
$1.23 CVE 117
$2.05 CVE 195
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.26 CVE 120
$0.52 CVE 48.99
$2.04 CVE 194
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29 CVE 123
$0.73 CVE 69.1
$1.60 CVE 152
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.23 CVE 497
$4.70 CVE 447
$7.00 CVE 666
Wine (Bottle)
$8.29 CVE 788
$6.21 CVE 590
$9.32 CVE 886
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06 CVE 196
$1.55 CVE 148
$2.58 CVE 246
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 CVE 179
$1.55 CVE 148
$2.06 CVE 196
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.68 CVE 64.9
$0.46 CVE 43.55
$1.61 CVE 153
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.33 CVE 2,980
$28.83 CVE 2,742
$31.33 CVE 2,980
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.16 CVE 205
$1.62 CVE 154
$2.70 CVE 257
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.66 CVE 253
$1.60 CVE 152
$3.20 CVE 304
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.96 CVE 1,518
$10.64 CVE 1,012
$21.28 CVE 2,024
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.57 CVE 149
$1.35 CVE 128
$1.80 CVE 171
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K CVE 2.8M
$27.9K CVE 2.7M
$31.0K CVE 2.9M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.0K CVE 3.7M
$36.4K CVE 3.5M
$41.6K CVE 4.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$150 CVE 14.3K
$62.6 CVE 5,950
$209 CVE 19.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.31 CVE 1,646
$6.33 CVE 602
$31.67 CVE 3,012
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.4 CVE 5,267
$53.1 CVE 5,053
$66.4 CVE 6,317
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.15 CVE 2,867
$25.84 CVE 2,457
$31.00 CVE 2,948
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.87 CVE 748
$3.08 CVE 293
$10.25 CVE 975
Cinema Ticket
$5.67 CVE 539
$5.15 CVE 490
$6.18 CVE 587
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$149 CVE 14.1K
$105 CVE 9,974
$210 CVE 19.9K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,189 CVE 303.2K
$1,133 CVE 107.7K
$5,245 CVE 498.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.5 CVE 5,186
$32.12 CVE 3,054
$88.6 CVE 8,430
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.27 CVE 2,498
$21.01 CVE 1,998
$31.52 CVE 2,997
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.9 CVE 6,455
$52.2 CVE 4,965
$83.6 CVE 7,945
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140 CVE 13.3K
$62.8 CVE 5,976
$189 CVE 17.9K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$434 CVE 41.3K
$316 CVE 30.0K
$842 CVE 80.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$260 CVE 24.7K
$190 CVE 18.1K
$370 CVE 35.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$598 CVE 56.9K
$368 CVE 35.0K
$1,143 CVE 108.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$338 CVE 32.1K
$260 CVE 24.7K
$832 CVE 79.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,150 CVE 109.3K
$679 CVE 64.6K
$1,463 CVE 139.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$819 CVE 77.9K
$354 CVE 33.6K
$1,068 CVE 101.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$336 CVE 32.0K
-
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: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Cape Verde is $292 – below average monthly costs of $509. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $182 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $28.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($509) is 63% below the global median of $1,374.

Average rent ($171) is 74% below the global median of $661.

Dining out ($28.00) is 43% below the global median of $49.00.

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

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
-
68.01
57.4
2
70000
$377 $405 $1,059 $1,466
20.04
47.26
3
127832
58 $675 $1,255 $1,622 $2,517
158.23
63.51
4
-
41 $592 $888 $1,380 $1,860
226.77
65.99
5
-
-
-
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

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