Cost of Living in Cape Verde - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $501 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A couple spends around $824 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A family of three spends around $1,147 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91 CVE 561
$3.76 CVE 357
$11.81 CVE 1,122
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.0 CVE 5,222
$31.42 CVE 2,984
$159 CVE 15.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.29 CVE 788
$5.18 CVE 492
$11.42 CVE 1,084
Cappuccino
$2.52 CVE 239
$0.86 CVE 81.4
$4.59 CVE 436
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 CVE 206
$1.60 CVE 152
$3.20 CVE 304
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23 CVE 117
$1.07 CVE 102
$1.61 CVE 153
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 CVE 302
$2.16 CVE 205
$5.39 CVE 512
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 CVE 198
$1.63 CVE 154
$2.72 CVE 258
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 CVE 145
$1.40 CVE 133
$1.73 CVE 164
White Bread (500g)
$1.77 CVE 168
$1.04 CVE 98.7
$3.13 CVE 297
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.00 CVE 190
$0.86 CVE 81.8
$5.40 CVE 513
Eggs
$2.43 CVE 230
$1.73 CVE 164
$3.09 CVE 294
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.87 CVE 1,317
$6.32 CVE 600
$42.11 CVE 3,999
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.53 CVE 810
$4.61 CVE 438
$10.24 CVE 972
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.39 CVE 1,841
$8.02 CVE 762
$25.66 CVE 2,437
Apples (1kg)
$3.21 CVE 304
$2.13 CVE 202
$4.79 CVE 455
Banana (1kg)
$2.64 CVE 251
$2.07 CVE 197
$4.14 CVE 393
Oranges (1kg)
$3.10 CVE 294
$1.40 CVE 133
$8.07 CVE 766
Tomato (1kg)
$4.06 CVE 385
$1.07 CVE 102
$10.79 CVE 1,024
Potato (1kg)
$1.54 CVE 146
$0.82 CVE 77.6
$1.85 CVE 175
Onion (1kg)
$1.79 CVE 170
$1.24 CVE 118
$2.06 CVE 196
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 CVE 127
$0.54 CVE 51.5
$2.16 CVE 205
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 CVE 118
$0.70 CVE 66.5
$1.54 CVE 146
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.31 CVE 505
$4.79 CVE 455
$7.13 CVE 677
Wine (Bottle)
$8.30 CVE 789
$6.23 CVE 591
$9.34 CVE 887
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.04 CVE 194
$1.53 CVE 146
$2.56 CVE 243
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 CVE 187
$1.63 CVE 154
$2.17 CVE 206
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.69 CVE 65.8
$0.47 CVE 44.19
$1.63 CVE 155
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$32.27 CVE 3,065
$29.64 CVE 2,815
$32.27 CVE 3,065
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 CVE 206
$1.63 CVE 154
$2.72 CVE 258
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.67 CVE 254
$1.60 CVE 152
$3.20 CVE 304
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.92 CVE 1,512
$10.62 CVE 1,008
$21.22 CVE 2,015
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 CVE 147
$1.33 CVE 126
$1.78 CVE 169
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K CVE 2.9M
$28.6K CVE 2.7M
$31.7K CVE 3.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.5K CVE 3.8M
$36.9K CVE 3.5M
$42.1K CVE 4.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$151 CVE 14.4K
$63.1 CVE 5,992
$210 CVE 20.0K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.24 CVE 1,637
$6.31 CVE 599
$31.54 CVE 2,995
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.0 CVE 5,315
$53.7 CVE 5,101
$67.1 CVE 6,376
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.67 CVE 2,912
$26.29 CVE 2,497
$31.55 CVE 2,996
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.10 CVE 770
$3.17 CVE 301
$10.57 CVE 1,004
Cinema Ticket
$5.90 CVE 560
$5.36 CVE 509
$6.44 CVE 611
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$148 CVE 14.0K
$104 CVE 9,892
$208 CVE 19.8K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,232 CVE 306.9K
$1,148 CVE 109.0K
$5,316 CVE 504.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 CVE 5,033
$31.24 CVE 2,967
$86.1 CVE 8,175
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.06 CVE 2,475
$20.85 CVE 1,979
$31.27 CVE 2,970
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.9 CVE 6,638
$53.8 CVE 5,106
$86.0 CVE 8,170
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$141 CVE 13.4K
$63.4 CVE 6,016
$190 CVE 18.0K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$444 CVE 42.1K
$323 CVE 30.6K
$860 CVE 81.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$257 CVE 24.4K
$188 CVE 17.9K
$366 CVE 34.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$607 CVE 57.6K
$375 CVE 35.6K
$1,159 CVE 110.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$347 CVE 33.0K
$267 CVE 25.4K
$855 CVE 81.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,162 CVE 110.3K
$687 CVE 65.2K
$1,479 CVE 140.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$794 CVE 75.4K
$342 CVE 32.5K
$1,036 CVE 98.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$343 CVE 32.5K
-
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: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Cape Verde is $289 – below average monthly costs of $501. 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 ($501) is 64% below the global median of $1,379.

Average rent ($171) is 74% below the global median of $664.

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
$397 $409 $1,250 $1,464
20.04
47.26
3
127832
57 $841 $1,222 $1,621 $2,432
158.23
63.51
4
-
41 $637 $876 $1,593 $1,840
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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