Cost of Living Comparison Between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay Cost of Living Comparison Between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $617 in Swakopmund versus $874 in Walvis Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,123 in Swakopmund versus $934 in Walvis Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,629 in Swakopmund versus $995 in Walvis Bay.

Living in Swakopmund costs roughly 29% less than in Walvis Bay, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Swakopmund 55% lower, Walvis Bay 37% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.32 NAD 101

$9.05 NAD 145

-30.17%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$37.29 NAD 596

$22.08 NAD 353

68.89%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.76 NAD 60.0

$7.30 NAD 117

-48.49%

Cappuccino

$1.93 NAD 30.81

$2.15 NAD 34.40

-10.23%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 NAD 12.22

$0.91 NAD 14.62

-16.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 NAD 9.65

$0.77 NAD 12.31

-22.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.38 NAD 21.98

$1.75 NAD 27.88

-21.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 NAD 29.16

$3.04 NAD 48.56

-39.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.30 NAD 36.76

$1.68 NAD 26.85

36.90%

White Bread (500g)

$1.47 NAD 23.46

$0.89 NAD 14.18

65.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 NAD 29.39

Eggs

$2.31 NAD 36.92

$1.88 NAD 30.00

22.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.02 NAD 128

$10.43 NAD 167

-23.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.07 NAD 96.9

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.61 NAD 122

Apples (1kg)

$3.64 NAD 58.2

$2.26 NAD 36.18

61.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 NAD 25.45

$2.10 NAD 33.53

-24.29%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.23 NAD 35.64

$1.76 NAD 28.14

26.70%

Potato (1kg)

$2.50 NAD 39.90

Onion (1kg)

$3.04 NAD 48.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.90 NAD 30.32

Wine (Bottle)

$8.41 NAD 134

$1.87 NAD 29.94

349.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 NAD 9.74

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.14 NAD 497

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.84 NAD 13.39

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.91 NAD 14.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.38 NAD 118

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 NAD 20.64

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$57.4 NAD 918

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.38 NAD 693

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.1 NAD 1,104

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.5 NAD 1,190

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$434 NAD 6,934

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$255 NAD 4,070

$458 NAD 7,326

-44.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$934 NAD 14.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$738 NAD 11.8K

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

Last update for Swakopmund: September 7, 2026

Last update for Walvis Bay: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $37.00 in Swakopmund vs $22.00 in Walvis Bay. Groceries flip the comparison at $130 vs $183, with Swakopmund cheaper for home cooking.

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 Walvis Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Swakopmund is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment. The 42% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $925 in Swakopmund and $1,310 in Walvis Bay 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.

Supermarket bills run roughly 41% higher in Walvis Bay. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Swakopmund – a meal for two runs $37.00 versus $22.00 in Walvis Bay. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

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.

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.

Safety-wise, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Swakopmund gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% less than in Walvis Bay. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.