😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,124 in Windhoek versus $770 in Walvis Bay.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,850 in Windhoek versus $692 in Walvis Bay.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,577 in Windhoek versus $613 in Walvis Bay.
🌍Living in Windhoek is roughly 46% more expensive than in Walvis Bay, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Windhoek16% lower, Walvis Bay42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.46NAD 172
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.12NAD 645
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.42NAD 89.4
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.86NAD 30.70
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91NAD 14.94
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97NAD 15.93
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80NAD 29.61
$0.90NAD 14.81
100.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27NAD 37.48
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44NAD 23.71
$1.52NAD 25.12
-5.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.82NAD 13.52
$0.81NAD 13.37
1.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65NAD 27.23
$1.71NAD 28.19
-3.51%
Eggs
$2.80NAD 46.12
$1.64NAD 27.06
70.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.28NAD 104
$9.02NAD 149
-30.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.38NAD 88.8
$5.66NAD 93.4
-4.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.58NAD 108
$6.88NAD 113
-4.36%
Apples(1kg)
$1.80NAD 29.72
$2.05NAD 33.84
-12.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.98NAD 32.58
$1.85NAD 30.57
7.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62NAD 26.74
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.74NAD 28.68
$1.54NAD 25.42
12.99%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00NAD 32.92
$2.28NAD 37.66
-12.28%
Onion(1kg)
$1.81NAD 29.85
$2.74NAD 45.25
-33.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94NAD 31.94
$1.64NAD 27.09
18.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14NAD 18.88
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72NAD 44.85
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$6.98NAD 115
$1.80NAD 29.65
287.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40NAD 23.03
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84NAD 30.38
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71NAD 11.65
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.09NAD 678
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74NAD 12.19
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.67NAD 11.03
$0.78NAD 12.82
-14.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.73NAD 193
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18NAD 19.47
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KNAD 348.7K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4KNAD 402.3K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$119NAD 1,960
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.50NAD 289
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.1NAD 827
$66.9NAD 1,104
-25.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.62NAD 604
$38.87NAD 641
-5.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.31NAD 220
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.23NAD 86.2
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$218NAD 3,595
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,275NAD 87.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3NAD 846
$60.8NAD 1,002
-15.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.72NAD 441
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.7NAD 1,430
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.2NAD 1,338
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$494NAD 8,146
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$382NAD 6,297
$465NAD 7,670
-17.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,291NAD 21.3K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$921NAD 15.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,592NAD 26.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$627NAD 10.3K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Windhoek
Walvis Bay
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,009NAD 16.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.69
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Windhoek: July 13, 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
Windhoek vs Walvis Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Windhoek or Walvis Bay?
Walvis Bay wins on cost – living expenses run 46% lower than in Windhoek. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Walvis Bay the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Windhoek and in Walvis Bay?
You'd need roughly $1,686 in Windhoek 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.
Are groceries more expensive in Windhoek or in Walvis Bay?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% higher in Windhoek. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Windhoek compared to Walvis Bay?
All in, you'll spend $1,124 per month in Windhoek versus $770 in Walvis Bay – a 46% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Windhoek or in Walvis Bay?
At $770 in Walvis Bay versus $1,124 in Windhoek, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Walvis Bay but tight or insufficient in Windhoek. The gap between the two cities makes Walvis Bay the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Windhoek or Walvis Bay?
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.
How safe is Windhoek compared to Walvis Bay?
Safety-wise, Windhoek 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Walvis Bay gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Windhoek. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.