πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $83.1 in Serowe versus $833 in Gaborone.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $144 in Serowe versus $1,325 in Gaborone.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $205 in Serowe versus $1,817 in Gaborone.
πLiving in Serowe costs roughly 90% less than in Gaborone, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Serowe94% lower, Gaborone38% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$7.38PΒ 101
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$29.50PΒ 405
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.89PΒ 80.9
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.17PΒ 29.80
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.81PΒ 11.15
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.51PΒ 6.98
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.26PΒ 31.09
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.01PΒ 41.40
-
π Groceries & Markets
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37PΒ 18.83
$1.47PΒ 20.17
-6.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09PΒ 15.02
$0.80PΒ 11.00
36.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.74PΒ 23.92
-
Eggs
$1.74PΒ 23.95
$2.39PΒ 32.79
-27.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$7.71PΒ 106
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.94PΒ 67.9
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.14PΒ 56.9
$5.53PΒ 75.9
-25.14%
Apples(1kg)
$1.35PΒ 18.58
$1.76PΒ 24.21
-23.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.05PΒ 14.49
$1.45PΒ 19.95
-27.59%
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.85PΒ 25.40
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60PΒ 21.99
$1.59PΒ 21.90
0.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.47PΒ 20.22
$1.42PΒ 19.57
3.52%
Onion(1kg)
$1.38PΒ 18.93
$1.20PΒ 16.48
15.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.18PΒ 16.27
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74PΒ 10.14
$0.90PΒ 12.38
-17.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.63PΒ 49.94
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$4.48PΒ 61.5
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.67PΒ 22.89
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.14PΒ 29.42
-
π Getting Around
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.51PΒ 6.95
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$30.84PΒ 424
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.63PΒ 8.61
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.59PΒ 35.55
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.06PΒ 42.00
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.14PΒ 15.61
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$22.1KPΒ 303.8K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$17.0KPΒ 233.3K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$70.6PΒ 970
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$26.52PΒ 364
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$79.5PΒ 1,093
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$32.73PΒ 450
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$14.90PΒ 205
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.54PΒ 89.9
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$112PΒ 1,537
$181PΒ 2,492
-38.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,797PΒ 24.7K
$3,886PΒ 53.4K
-53.76%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$42.17PΒ 579
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$24.51PΒ 337
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$75.5PΒ 1,037
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$99.0PΒ 1,360
-
π Accommodation & Living
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$241PΒ 3,307
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$144PΒ 1,982
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$535PΒ 7,356
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$336PΒ 4,623
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,068PΒ 28.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,299PΒ 17.8K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Serowe
Gaborone
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$508PΒ 6,973
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
9.12
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Serowe: April 26, 2026
Last update for Gaborone: April 26, 2026
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
Serowe vs Gaborone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaborone cheaper than Serowe?
Serowe is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 903% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $125 in Serowe and $1,250 in Gaborone to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Serowe and Gaborone?
Supermarket bills run roughly 122% higher in Gaborone. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $112 in Serowe versus $181 in Gaborone. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $800 enough for either Serowe or Gaborone?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Serowe gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Serowe or Gaborone?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Serowe or Gaborone?
Safety-wise, Serowe and Gaborone are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Serowe gentler on the wallet β expenses run 903% less than in Gaborone. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.