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: $735 in Swakopmund versus $770 in Walvis Bay.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Swakopmund versus $692 in Walvis Bay.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,500 in Swakopmund versus $613 in Walvis Bay.

Living in Swakopmund costs roughly 5% less than in Walvis Bay, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Swakopmund 45% lower, Walvis Bay 42% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.55 NAD 91.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.80 NAD 557

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.24 NAD 53.4

Cappuccino

$1.68 NAD 27.72

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

$0.69 NAD 11.39

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 NAD 8.37

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 NAD 21.04

$0.90 NAD 14.81

42.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.70 NAD 28.09

Milk (1 liter)

$1.20 NAD 19.81

$1.52 NAD 25.11

-21.05%

White Bread (500g)

$0.87 NAD 14.40

$0.81 NAD 13.37

7.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.71 NAD 28.18

Eggs

$2.06 NAD 34.03

$1.64 NAD 27.05

25.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.45 NAD 123

$9.02 NAD 149

-17.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.66 NAD 93.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.88 NAD 113

Apples (1kg)

$2.05 NAD 33.82

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 NAD 24.35

$1.85 NAD 30.56

-20.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.91 NAD 31.41

$1.54 NAD 25.41

24.03%

Potato (1kg)

$2.28 NAD 37.65

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 NAD 45.23

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 NAD 37.33

$1.64 NAD 27.08

37.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.15 NAD 51.9

Wine (Bottle)

$6.67 NAD 110

$1.80 NAD 29.64

270.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 NAD 9.52

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.71 NAD 11.64

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.78 NAD 12.81

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 NAD 21.34

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

$13.7K NAD 226.1K

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

$17.0K NAD 280.2K

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

$66.9 NAD 1,103

-1.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.03 NAD 544

$38.87 NAD 641

-15.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.34 NAD 187

Cinema Ticket

$6.04 NAD 99.6

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.8 NAD 1,001

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.5 NAD 1,080

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$470 NAD 7,745

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$351 NAD 5,781

$465 NAD 7,667

-24.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$963 NAD 15.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$674 NAD 11.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$619 NAD 10.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$364 NAD 5,991

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

Last update for Swakopmund: July 12, 2026

Last update for Walvis Bay: July 13, 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 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,103 in Swakopmund and $1,156 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 73% higher in Walvis Bay. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $735 per month in Swakopmund versus $770 in Walvis Bay – a 5% 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 5% less than in Walvis Bay. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.