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: $743 in Swakopmund versus $755 in Walvis Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,120 in Swakopmund versus $686 in Walvis Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,497 in Swakopmund versus $618 in Walvis Bay.

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

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.48 NAD 89.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.89 NAD 551

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.20 NAD 52.1

Cappuccino

$1.64 NAD 26.64

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

$0.74 NAD 12.05

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.55 NAD 8.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.23 NAD 19.99

$0.88 NAD 14.38

39.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 NAD 26.39

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 NAD 20.51

$1.53 NAD 24.94

-17.65%

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 NAD 13.75

$0.82 NAD 13.38

3.66%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 NAD 27.61

Eggs

$2.15 NAD 34.92

$1.64 NAD 26.66

31.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.08 NAD 115

$9.23 NAD 150

-23.29%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.73 NAD 93.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.75 NAD 110

Apples (1kg)

$1.97 NAD 31.98

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 NAD 23.23

$1.81 NAD 29.40

-20.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.92 NAD 31.28

$1.59 NAD 25.79

20.75%

Potato (1kg)

$2.26 NAD 36.69

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 NAD 44.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 NAD 36.50

$1.62 NAD 26.38

38.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.02 NAD 49.05

Wine (Bottle)

$6.81 NAD 111

$1.82 NAD 29.50

274.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 NAD 9.26

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.69 NAD 11.23

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 NAD 12.53

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 NAD 20.17

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$13.7K NAD 223.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$16.9K NAD 273.9K

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

$50.4 NAD 818

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.3 NAD 1,077

$67.3 NAD 1,094

-1.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.95 NAD 552

$38.39 NAD 624

-11.57%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.26 NAD 183

Cinema Ticket

$6.02 NAD 97.8

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.6 NAD 985

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$67.6 NAD 1,098

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$464 NAD 7,546

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$355 NAD 5,776

$466 NAD 7,579

-23.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$981 NAD 15.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$662 NAD 10.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$620 NAD 10.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$372 NAD 6,053

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

Last update for Swakopmund: May 31, 2026

Last update for Walvis Bay: May 31, 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

Swakopmund vs Walvis Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Swakopmund is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,114 in Swakopmund and $1,132 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 74% higher in Walvis Bay. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $743 per month in Swakopmund versus $755 in Walvis Bay – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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 2% less than in Walvis Bay. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.