🙂A single person spends $353 per month in Rundu vs $800 in Swakopmund, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $637 per month in Rundu vs $1,308 in Swakopmund, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $922 per month in Rundu vs $1,815 in Swakopmund, rent included.
🙂Rundu is about 56% cheaper than Swakopmund, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Rundu and Swakopmund are more affordable than the global median – Rundu74% lower, Swakopmund42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.29NAD 246
$6.37NAD 103
140.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.30NAD 504
$37.28NAD 600
-16.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.03NAD 97.2
$3.67NAD 59.1
64.31%
Cappuccino
$2.12NAD 34.15
$1.89NAD 30.49
12.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71NAD 11.48
$0.77NAD 12.36
-7.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59NAD 9.50
$0.58NAD 9.27
1.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.97NAD 15.58
$1.37NAD 22.05
-29.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21NAD 19.51
$1.81NAD 29.12
-33.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.99NAD 32.09
-
White Bread(500g)
$0.76NAD 12.27
$1.19NAD 19.13
-36.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.74NAD 76.3
-
-
Eggs
$3.14NAD 50.5
$2.37NAD 38.23
32.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.30NAD 69.3
$7.88NAD 127
-45.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.92NAD 79.2
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.03NAD 81.0
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.21NAD 35.60
$3.54NAD 57.1
-37.57%
Banana(1kg)
$2.22NAD 35.77
$1.59NAD 25.55
39.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.27NAD 20.52
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$0.91NAD 14.67
$2.12NAD 34.16
-57.08%
Potato(1kg)
$5.11NAD 82.3
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.97NAD 15.63
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61NAD 9.78
$2.53NAD 40.67
-75.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08NAD 17.32
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.26NAD 20.29
$3.44NAD 55.4
-63.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.03NAD 64.9
$7.07NAD 114
-43.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28NAD 20.55
$0.64NAD 10.28
100.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52NAD 24.52
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$30.79NAD 496
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.84NAD 13.50
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.91NAD 14.60
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.47NAD 120
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.43NAD 23.05
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$18.6KNAD 300.3K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$55.2NAD 889
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$75.4NAD 1,215
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$37.47NAD 603
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$12.41NAD 200
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.73NAD 108
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$75.4NAD 1,214
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rundu
Swakopmund
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$520NAD 8,382
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$312NAD 5,021
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,062NAD 17.1K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$741NAD 11.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$626NAD 10.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$374NAD 6,022
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rundu: August 15, 2026
Last update for Swakopmund: August 18, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $31.00 in Rundu versus $37.00 in Swakopmund. Groceries tell a different story – $176 in Rundu vs $130 in Swakopmund – so Swakopmund wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Rundu vs Swakopmund: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rundu or Swakopmund?
Swakopmund costs about 127% more than Rundu, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Rundu and in Swakopmund?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $529 per month in Rundu and $1,200 in Swakopmund. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Rundu compared to Swakopmund?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $353 in Rundu and $800 in Swakopmund. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Rundu or in Swakopmund?
Interestingly, groceries are about 35% cheaper in Swakopmund – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Rundu or in Swakopmund?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $353 in Rundu and $800 in Swakopmund, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Rundu – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Rundu compared to Swakopmund?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Rundu or to Swakopmund?
If budget matters most, go with Rundu. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Swakopmund makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.