Cost of Living in Eswatini - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Eswatini
Address: SZ

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $431 (excluding rent), and $663 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,032 (excluding rent), and $1,427 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.63 SZL 27.32

$0.98 SZL 16.42

$4.89 SZL 82.0

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.60 SZL 462

$19.32 SZL 324

$33.15 SZL 555

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.31 SZL 38.69

$2.20 SZL 36.88

$2.56 SZL 42.80

Cappuccino

$1.68 SZL 28.10

$1.03 SZL 17.30

$2.58 SZL 43.17

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

$0.84 SZL 14.08

$0.68 SZL 11.37

$1.13 SZL 19.00

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 SZL 8.62

$0.40 SZL 6.72

$0.69 SZL 11.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.46 SZL 24.42

$0.99 SZL 16.66

$2.21 SZL 36.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 SZL 28.67

$1.03 SZL 17.24

$2.85 SZL 47.79

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 SZL 17.18

$0.89 SZL 14.87

$1.38 SZL 23.13

White Bread (500g)

$0.80 SZL 13.39

$0.55 SZL 9.22

$0.93 SZL 15.66

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.22 SZL 20.47

$0.61 SZL 10.15

$1.64 SZL 27.51

Eggs

$1.54 SZL 25.81

$0.74 SZL 12.48

$4.38 SZL 73.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.99 SZL 151

$6.74 SZL 113

$10.11 SZL 169

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.04 SZL 67.6

$2.88 SZL 48.18

$6.90 SZL 116

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.59 SZL 76.9

$1.69 SZL 28.39

$5.93 SZL 99.4

Apples (1kg)

$1.30 SZL 21.83

$0.88 SZL 14.66

$1.63 SZL 27.37

Banana (1kg)

$0.79 SZL 13.29

$0.29 SZL 4.90

$0.88 SZL 14.69

Oranges (1kg)

$1.13 SZL 18.89

$0.51 SZL 8.51

$1.42 SZL 23.83

Tomato (1kg)

$1.41 SZL 23.65

$0.46 SZL 7.71

$1.72 SZL 28.79

Potato (1kg)

$0.96 SZL 16.02

$0.57 SZL 9.55

$1.42 SZL 23.86

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 SZL 17.17

$0.46 SZL 7.65

$1.48 SZL 24.82

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.53 SZL 8.90

$0.38 SZL 6.31

$0.81 SZL 13.60

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 SZL 12.40

$0.60 SZL 10.11

$0.82 SZL 13.70

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.74 SZL 45.95

$2.57 SZL 43.04

$2.86 SZL 47.83

Wine (Bottle)

$4.92 SZL 82.4

$3.37 SZL 56.4

$12.44 SZL 208

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 SZL 17.35

$0.57 SZL 9.62

$1.50 SZL 25.08

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 SZL 22.75

$0.71 SZL 11.86

$1.63 SZL 27.30

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 SZL 15.48

$0.57 SZL 9.63

$1.26 SZL 21.15

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.66 SZL 497

$28.24 SZL 473

$31.07 SZL 520

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.38 SZL 56.7

$2.82 SZL 47.25

$3.95 SZL 66.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.63 SZL 44.04

$1.31 SZL 21.94

$3.68 SZL 61.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.46 SZL 57.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 SZL 19.58

$1.13 SZL 18.92

$1.27 SZL 21.22

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

$16.8K SZL 282.2K

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

$19.2K SZL 320.8K

$22.8K SZL 381.2K

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

$73.3 SZL 1,228

$55.3 SZL 927

$116 SZL 1,946

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$27.17 SZL 455

$11.24 SZL 188

$56.2 SZL 941

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.63 SZL 463

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.47 SZL 477

$14.23 SZL 238

$28.47 SZL 477

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.08 SZL 85.1

$2.82 SZL 47.29

$5.65 SZL 94.6

Cinema Ticket

$3.38 SZL 56.7

$5.64 SZL 94.5

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$107 SZL 1,787

$50.6 SZL 847

$163 SZL 2,728

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,681 SZL 78.4K

$3,368 SZL 56.4K

$5,993 SZL 100.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.39 SZL 693

$19.32 SZL 324

$44.16 SZL 740

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.09 SZL 437

$13.97 SZL 234

$27.96 SZL 468

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$62.6 SZL 1,048

$33.38 SZL 559

$94.6 SZL 1,584

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.4 SZL 1,246

$44.92 SZL 752

$107 SZL 1,787

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$240 SZL 4,023

$170 SZL 2,840

$410 SZL 6,861

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$140 SZL 2,351

$82.6 SZL 1,383

$165 SZL 2,765

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$432 SZL 7,228

$336 SZL 5,632

$560 SZL 9,387

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$324 SZL 5,423

$251 SZL 4,207

$391 SZL 6,545

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$308 SZL 5,161

$197 SZL 3,294

$485 SZL 8,127

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$230 SZL 3,852

$143 SZL 2,388

$365 SZL 6,112

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$628 SZL 10.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.12

7.25

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

Last update: March 7, 2026

By City in Eswatini

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Big Bend	-		$145	$155	$433	$426	21.53	133.95
2	Ezulwini	-						218.4	37.46
3	Manzini	110508		$159	$315	$345	$636	42.94	22.18
4	Mbabane	94874	37	$422	$737	$1,128	$1,591	189.97	37.46
5	Nhlangano	-						53.49	19.81

Eswatini Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Eswatini - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Eswatini varies by city and lifestyle, but many travelers, digital nomads, and budget-minded expats find it a favorable value compared with more developed destinations. Local markets offer affordable produce, and housing outside major centers often yields good value. In urban hubs you’ll encounter a mix of budget guesthouses and mid-range rentals, with options that suit short stays or longer setups. Utilities, transport, and everyday services are generally manageable, though prices can rise for imported goods or Western-framed amenities. Identify your priorities – short commutes, local services, or Western comforts – and tailor your arrangements accordingly. Tip: Start with a neighborhood-first approach to anchor your daily costs.

When you search for housing, focus on Mbabane, Manzini, or smaller towns, where options range from simple homes to shared spaces. Use local listings and word-of-mouth from communities you visit, and consider longer stays to test neighborhoods. For groceries, mix local markets with supermarkets to balance price and variety; seasonal produce can stretch a budget. Transport commonly relies on minibus taxis and occasional car rentals, which keeps you flexible without owning a car; in many places, ride-sharing is limited, so plan travel in advance. For work, look for coworking spaces or cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi, quiet corners, and power outlets. Errands are doable with cash on hand and a little patience for slower service. Knowing Eswatini living cost helps you budget meals, transit, and daily tasks. Tip: Build a weekly routine that balances work blocks with local exploration.

Quality of life in Eswatini tends to improve when you structure your budget around core categories: housing, food, transport, and leisure. Create a simple framework: identify a preferred neighborhood with easy access to groceries and coworking, set a flexible dining plan that blends local staples with occasional treats, and use public transport or car-sharing to keep travel costs predictable. Seasonality influences outdoor activities and market availability, so align plans with harvests and community events. To pick a neighborhood, visit at different times, check safety, and observe walkability. Tip: Map a rough weekly template that balances work, rest, and exploration while staying mindful of costs.