Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Gaborone and Gabane

For one person, living is cheaper in Gabane: $117 a month against $838 in Gaborone, rent and utilities included – about $8,700 less a year.

Gaborone, Botswana
Gabane, Botswana
Gaborone
🇧🇼 Botswana
$838
/mo nomad
Gabane
🇧🇼 Botswana
$117
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Gaborone and in Gabane

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

A single person spends $838 per month in Gaborone vs $117 in Gabane, rent included.

  • Gaborone $838
  • Gabane $117

A couple spends around $1,292 per month in Gaborone vs $162 in Gabane, rent included.

  • Gaborone $1,292
  • Gabane $162

A family of three spends $1,747 per month in Gaborone vs $208 in Gabane, rent included.

  • Gaborone $1,747
  • Gabane $208

Gaborone costs about 616% more than Gabane.

Both Gaborone and Gabane are more affordable than the global median – Gaborone 38% lower, Gabane 91% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.00 P 148
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.59 P 385
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.75 P 77.4
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.26 P 30.45
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 P 9.87
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 P 5.82
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.04 P 27.45
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59 P 34.81
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.48 P 19.87
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.84 P 11.35
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.80 P 24.17
-
-
Eggs
$2.45 P 32.90
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.48 P 87.2
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.41 P 59.3
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.01 P 67.4
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.65 P 22.27
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 P 19.61
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.00 P 26.89
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60 P 21.52
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.35 P 18.16
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.21 P 16.21
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.29 P 17.29
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 P 11.90
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.72 P 50.1
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$4.22 P 56.7
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 P 19.51
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 P 23.15
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.66 P 8.90
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.63 P 399
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.63 P 8.49
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.51 P 33.75
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.91 P 39.20
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.37 P 18.41
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K P 409.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K P 269.6K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$59.4 P 799
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.85 P 200
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.18 P 594
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.18 P 446
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.15 P 217
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.18 P 83.2
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$126 P 1,691
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,136 P 69.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.50 P 639
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.63 P 224
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.2 P 985
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 P 1,048
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$352 P 4,740
$161 P 2,161
119.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$208 P 2,801
$117 P 1,573
78.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$540 P 7,269
$299 P 4,029
80.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$347 P 4,669
$208 P 2,798
66.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,042 P 27.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,251 P 16.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gaborone
Gabane
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$453 P 6,099
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.33
0
-

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

Last update for Gaborone: November 3, 2026

Last update for Gabane: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Gaborone
$208
Gabane
–
Groceries & Markets
Gaborone
$171
Gabane
–
Eating Out
Gaborone
$152
Gabane
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gaborone
$118
Gabane
–
Clothing & Footwear
Gaborone
$97
Gabane
–
Sport & Entertainment
Gaborone
$46
Gabane
–
Getting Around
Gaborone
$45
Gabane
–

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $352 in Gaborone versus $161 in Gabane. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Good to know
🇧🇼 Gaborone
🇧🇼 Gabane
🕒 Local time
14:25 2:25 PM
14:25 2:25 PM
Same time as Gaborone
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
231,626 Capital
14,842
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BWP – Botswana Pula Converter

Botswana Pula exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 13.45 BWP (100 BWP = 7.43 USD). 1 EUR = 15.06 BWP (100 BWP = 6.64 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Gaborone Gabane 13 km
From you
  • Gaborone
  • Gabane

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Gaborone vs Gabane: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is cheaper: Gaborone or Gabane?
Gaborone costs about 616% more than Gabane, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,257 per month in Gaborone and $175 in Gabane. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gabane, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $161 there versus $352 in Gaborone.
Is $1,000 enough for either Gaborone or Gabane?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $838 in Gaborone and $117 in Gabane, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is it better to live in Gaborone or in Gabane?
It depends on your priorities. Gaborone has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $117 in Gabane to $838 in Gaborone. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Gaborone vs other spots: cost of living compared

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