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: $735 in Swakopmund versus $751 in Tsumeb.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Swakopmund versus $1,235 in Tsumeb.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,500 in Swakopmund versus $1,719 in Tsumeb.

Living in Swakopmund costs roughly 2% less than in Tsumeb, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Swakopmund 45% lower, Tsumeb 44% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.55 NAD 91.4
$16.66 NAD 275
-66.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.80 NAD 557
$37.51 NAD 618
-9.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.24 NAD 53.4
$9.11 NAD 150
-64.43%
Cappuccino
$1.68 NAD 27.72
$2.18 NAD 35.94
-22.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 NAD 11.39
$2.13 NAD 35.04
-67.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 NAD 8.37
$2.11 NAD 34.85
-75.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.28 NAD 21.04
$2.42 NAD 39.89
-47.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 NAD 28.09
$1.24 NAD 20.45
37.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.20 NAD 19.81
$1.37 NAD 22.51
-12.41%
White Bread (500g)
$0.87 NAD 14.40
$0.69 NAD 11.29
26.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.52 NAD 25.07
-
Eggs
$2.06 NAD 34.03
$2.66 NAD 43.78
-22.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.45 NAD 123
$13.23 NAD 218
-43.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$3.27 NAD 54.0
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$10.07 NAD 166
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.22 NAD 36.64
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.48 NAD 24.35
$2.69 NAD 44.39
-44.98%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.62 NAD 43.10
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.91 NAD 31.41
$2.02 NAD 33.32
-5.45%
Potato (1kg)
-
$2.13 NAD 35.14
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.65 NAD 27.17
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.26 NAD 37.33
$1.43 NAD 23.49
58.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.94 NAD 15.45
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15 NAD 51.9
$2.98 NAD 49.05
5.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.67 NAD 110
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 NAD 9.52
$0.93 NAD 15.38
-37.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.20 NAD 19.71
-
🚌 Getting Around
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.71 NAD 11.64
$0.85 NAD 14.02
-16.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.78 NAD 12.88
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 NAD 21.34
$1.14 NAD 18.81
14.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.7K NAD 226.1K
$27.9K NAD 459.5K
-50.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.0K NAD 280.2K
$21.2K NAD 349.7K
-19.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.0 NAD 841
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.1 NAD 1,089
$27.78 NAD 458
137.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.03 NAD 544
$22.43 NAD 370
47.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.34 NAD 187
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.04 NAD 99.6
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$38.40 NAD 633
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$40.02 NAD 660
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.83 NAD 442
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$43.27 NAD 713
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5 NAD 1,080
$49.13 NAD 810
33.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Swakopmund
Tsumeb
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$470 NAD 7,745
$265 NAD 4,361
77.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$351 NAD 5,781
$206 NAD 3,402
69.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$963 NAD 15.9K
$460 NAD 7,586
109.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$674 NAD 11.1K
$365 NAD 6,021
84.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$619 NAD 10.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$364 NAD 5,991
-
-
💵 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: July 12, 2026

Last update for Tsumeb: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $470 in Swakopmund and $265 in Tsumeb. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $34.00 in Swakopmund vs $38.00 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 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,103 in Swakopmund and $1,126 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: $470 in Swakopmund versus $265 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 in 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 in Tsumeb?
Dining out is cheaper in Swakopmund – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $38.00 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 in 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 2% less than in Tsumeb. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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