Cost of Living in Cape Verde - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $526 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A couple spends around $876 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

A family of three spends around $1,225 per month with rent on average in Cape Verde.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.30 CVE 512
$2.66 CVE 257
$11.67 CVE 1,128
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.8 CVE 5,107
$31.99 CVE 3,092
$163 CVE 15.8K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.56 CVE 828
$4.82 CVE 466
$11.81 CVE 1,141
Cappuccino
$1.86 CVE 180
$0.71 CVE 68.5
$4.37 CVE 422
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 CVE 200
$1.08 CVE 104
$3.23 CVE 312
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17 CVE 113
$1.07 CVE 103
$1.60 CVE 155
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.39 CVE 328
$2.37 CVE 229
$5.37 CVE 519
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 CVE 218
$1.93 CVE 187
$3.22 CVE 312
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.39 CVE 134
$1.14 CVE 110
$1.51 CVE 146
White Bread (500g)
$1.76 CVE 170
$1.04 CVE 100
$3.11 CVE 300
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.83 CVE 177
$1.08 CVE 104
$3.87 CVE 374
Eggs
$2.32 CVE 224
$1.72 CVE 166
$3.07 CVE 297
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.02 CVE 1,259
$6.33 CVE 612
$42.21 CVE 4,079
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.44 CVE 815
$4.06 CVE 393
$9.48 CVE 917
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.43 CVE 1,975
$8.00 CVE 773
$25.58 CVE 2,472
Apples (1kg)
$2.82 CVE 272
$2.14 CVE 207
$4.28 CVE 414
Banana (1kg)
$2.25 CVE 217
$2.05 CVE 198
$4.11 CVE 397
Oranges (1kg)
$2.81 CVE 272
$1.38 CVE 134
$7.97 CVE 771
Tomato (1kg)
$3.50 CVE 338
$1.64 CVE 158
$4.10 CVE 396
Potato (1kg)
$1.42 CVE 137
$0.82 CVE 78.8
$1.83 CVE 176
Onion (1kg)
$1.68 CVE 163
$1.24 CVE 120
$2.06 CVE 199
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.41 CVE 137
$1.08 CVE 104
$2.14 CVE 207
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 CVE 103
$0.61 CVE 59.3
$1.53 CVE 148
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.10 CVE 493
$4.84 CVE 468
$5.37 CVE 519
Wine (Bottle)
$8.33 CVE 805
$6.26 CVE 605
$9.37 CVE 906
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.11 CVE 204
$1.60 CVE 155
$3.21 CVE 310
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 CVE 186
$1.16 CVE 113
$2.12 CVE 205
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.96 CVE 92.4
$0.46 CVE 44.69
$1.08 CVE 104
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.85 CVE 2,885
$28.59 CVE 2,763
$31.11 CVE 3,006
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.86 CVE 179
$1.59 CVE 154
$2.12 CVE 205
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.20 CVE 213
$1.47 CVE 142
$2.93 CVE 283
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.55 CVE 1,020
$10.55 CVE 1,020
$21.10 CVE 2,040
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 CVE 146
$1.37 CVE 133
$1.95 CVE 188
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2K CVE 2.8M
$27.7K CVE 2.7M
$30.8K CVE 3.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.6K CVE 3.8M
$37.0K CVE 3.6M
$42.2K CVE 4.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$135 CVE 13.0K
$62.6 CVE 6,047
$209 CVE 20.2K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.33 CVE 2,738
$12.75 CVE 1,232
$31.88 CVE 3,081
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.9 CVE 5,304
$52.8 CVE 5,105
$60.2 CVE 5,820
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.72 CVE 3,356
$26.30 CVE 2,542
$47.34 CVE 4,576
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.84 CVE 855
$5.30 CVE 513
$10.61 CVE 1,025
Cinema Ticket
$5.79 CVE 560
$5.27 CVE 509
$6.32 CVE 611
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$165 CVE 16.0K
$106 CVE 10.2K
$212 CVE 20.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,924 CVE 282.6K
$1,117 CVE 108.0K
$5,171 CVE 499.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7 CVE 5,773
$31.80 CVE 3,073
$87.7 CVE 8,473
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.63 CVE 3,057
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.5 CVE 8,065
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 CVE 13.7K
$107 CVE 10.3K
$192 CVE 18.5K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$444 CVE 42.9K
$311 CVE 30.1K
$622 CVE 60.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$249 CVE 24.1K
$188 CVE 18.1K
$403 CVE 38.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$557 CVE 53.8K
$331 CVE 32.0K
$1,140 CVE 110.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$485 CVE 46.9K
$262 CVE 25.3K
$838 CVE 81.0K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,128 CVE 109.0K
$666 CVE 64.4K
$1,435 CVE 138.7K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$781 CVE 75.5K
$337 CVE 32.6K
$1,018 CVE 98.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$336 CVE 32.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.67
4.5
9

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

Last update: July 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary in Cape Verde is $281 – below average monthly costs of $526. Many locals rely on dual incomes or shared housing. Remote workers earning abroad find strong purchasing power here.

Groceries average around $180 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $28.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($526) is 61% below the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($161) is 75% below the global median of $632.

Dining out ($28.00) is 42% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($12.00) is 64% below the global median of $33.00.

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
$427 $428 $1,084 $1,508
20.04
47.26
3
127832
62 $789 $1,210 $1,861 $2,567
158.23
63.51
4
-
51 $714 $995 $1,607 $2,051
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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