Cost of Living Comparison Between Swakopmund and Tsumeb Cost of Living Comparison Between Swakopmund and Tsumeb

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $743 in Swakopmund versus $770 in Tsumeb.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,120 in Swakopmund versus $1,244 in Tsumeb.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,497 in Swakopmund versus $1,717 in Tsumeb.

Living in Swakopmund costs roughly 4% less than in Tsumeb, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Swakopmund 45% lower, Tsumeb 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.48 NAD 89.5
$16.46 NAD 269
-66.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.89 NAD 553
$36.72 NAD 599
-7.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.20 NAD 52.3
$8.81 NAD 144
-63.68%
Cappuccino
$1.64 NAD 26.76
$2.17 NAD 35.38
-24.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74 NAD 12.10
$2.20 NAD 35.88
-66.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 NAD 8.95
$2.09 NAD 34.18
-73.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.23 NAD 20.08
$2.34 NAD 38.14
-47.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 NAD 26.51
$1.20 NAD 19.62
35.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 NAD 20.60
$1.30 NAD 21.22
-3.08%
White Bread (500g)
$0.85 NAD 13.81
$0.73 NAD 11.97
16.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.57 NAD 25.64
-
Eggs
$2.15 NAD 35.08
$2.75 NAD 44.87
-21.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.08 NAD 116
$13.10 NAD 214
-45.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$3.27 NAD 53.3
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$9.88 NAD 161
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.32 NAD 37.92
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.43 NAD 23.33
$2.60 NAD 42.52
-45.00%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.52 NAD 41.19
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.92 NAD 31.42
$2.03 NAD 33.20
-5.42%
Potato (1kg)
-
$2.14 NAD 35.00
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.60 NAD 26.20
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.25 NAD 36.66
$1.43 NAD 23.42
57.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.98 NAD 16.01
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.02 NAD 49.26
$3.03 NAD 49.38
-0.33%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.81 NAD 111
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 NAD 9.31
$0.92 NAD 14.95
-38.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.24 NAD 20.29
-
🚌 Getting Around
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.69 NAD 11.28
$0.87 NAD 14.19
-20.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.82 NAD 13.45
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 NAD 20.26
$1.19 NAD 19.39
4.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.7K NAD 224.4K
$27.5K NAD 448.3K
-49.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.9K NAD 275.2K
$20.9K NAD 341.1K
-19.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$50.4 NAD 822
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.3 NAD 1,081
$28.30 NAD 462
134.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.95 NAD 554
$22.54 NAD 368
50.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.26 NAD 184
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.02 NAD 98.3
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$38.42 NAD 627
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$39.68 NAD 648
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.84 NAD 438
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$43.12 NAD 704
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.6 NAD 1,103
$48.70 NAD 795
38.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$464 NAD 7,579
$267 NAD 4,365
73.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$355 NAD 5,801
$209 NAD 3,410
70.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$981 NAD 16.0K
$455 NAD 7,432
115.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$662 NAD 10.8K
$368 NAD 6,014
79.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$620 NAD 10.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$372 NAD 6,080
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
9
-

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

Last update for Swakopmund: May 31, 2026

Last update for Tsumeb: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $464 in Swakopmund and $267 in Tsumeb. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $34.00 in Swakopmund vs $37.00 in Tsumeb for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $95.0 vs $205 per month, with Swakopmund cheaper across the board.

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
Swakopmund vs Tsumeb: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tsumeb cheaper than Swakopmund?
Swakopmund is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,114 in Swakopmund and $1,156 in Tsumeb 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.
What is the rent difference between Swakopmund and Tsumeb?
Rent for a central apartment: $464 in Swakopmund versus $267 in Tsumeb. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Swakopmund and Tsumeb?
Supermarket bills run roughly 116% higher in Tsumeb. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Swakopmund or Tsumeb?
Dining out is cheaper in Swakopmund – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $37.00 in Tsumeb. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Swakopmund or Tsumeb?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Swakopmund 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 Swakopmund or Tsumeb?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Swakopmund or Tsumeb?
Safety-wise, Swakopmund and Tsumeb 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 Swakopmund gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Tsumeb. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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