Cost of Living in Gaborone - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $615 (excluding rent), and $818 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,410 (excluding rent), and $1,831 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.55 P 103

$3.78 P 51.5

$15.11 P 206

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.74 P 406

$18.59 P 254

$59.5 P 811

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.04 P 82.4

$5.65 P 77.1

$9.05 P 123

Cappuccino

$2.19 P 29.91

$0.95 P 13.01

$3.67 P 50.0

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

$0.83 P 11.33

$0.65 P 8.93

$1.46 P 19.85

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 P 6.90

$0.38 P 5.21

$1.16 P 15.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 P 30.13

$1.10 P 15.07

$3.31 P 45.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 P 41.74

$1.91 P 26.05

$3.83 P 52.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.42 P 19.35

$1.18 P 16.10

$1.84 P 25.17

White Bread (500g)

$0.82 P 11.20

$0.46 P 6.27

$1.39 P 18.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 P 24.94

$1.14 P 15.61

$2.29 P 31.22

Eggs

$2.34 P 31.90

$1.60 P 21.86

$3.34 P 45.61

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.49 P 102

$3.34 P 45.51

$11.85 P 162

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.19 P 70.7

$3.04 P 41.50

$7.46 P 102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.68 P 77.5

$3.79 P 51.7

$9.86 P 134

Apples (1kg)

$1.85 P 25.23

$0.92 P 12.62

$2.68 P 36.58

Banana (1kg)

$1.39 P 18.97

$0.96 P 13.05

$2.72 P 37.13

Oranges (1kg)

$1.91 P 26.06

$1.13 P 15.44

$3.01 P 41.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 P 21.72

$1.13 P 15.40

$2.26 P 30.79

Potato (1kg)

$1.41 P 19.28

$0.74 P 10.04

$1.61 P 21.96

Onion (1kg)

$1.25 P 16.99

$0.76 P 10.36

$2.27 P 30.94

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 P 15.40

$0.73 P 9.96

$1.89 P 25.75

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 P 12.45

$0.69 P 9.37

$1.15 P 15.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.62 P 49.37

$3.40 P 46.34

$4.90 P 66.9

Wine (Bottle)

$4.63 P 63.1

$3.85 P 52.5

$7.71 P 105

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.59 P 21.74

$1.09 P 14.85

$2.18 P 29.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 P 29.69

$1.37 P 18.68

$3.05 P 41.54

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.54 P 7.33

$0.62 P 8.46

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.96 P 422

$15.11 P 206

$52.9 P 721

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 P 7.80

$0.64 P 8.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.64 P 35.95

$2.38 P 32.43

$4.33 P 59.0

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.01 P 41.00

$3.76 P 51.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 P 15.53

$1.09 P 14.83

$1.27 P 17.33

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

$22.4K P 305.5K

$12.7K P 173.1K

$28.3K P 385.9K

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

$17.1K P 233.2K

$15.2K P 207.3K

$22.8K P 310.9K

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

$70.3 P 959

$33.85 P 462

$102 P 1,395

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

$26.04 P 355

$18.48 P 252

$44.35 P 605

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.8 P 1,074

$37.15 P 507

$149 P 2,027

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.25 P 454

$26.49 P 361

$45.41 P 619

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.17 P 207

$7.59 P 103

$26.55 P 362

Cinema Ticket

$6.86 P 93.6

$5.34 P 72.8

$10.67 P 146

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

$180 P 2,455

$125 P 1,700

$220 P 3,000

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,896 P 53.1K

$2,494 P 34.0K

$5,291 P 72.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.74 P 569

$29.36 P 400

$58.7 P 801

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.58 P 335

$14.33 P 195

$45.46 P 620

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.3 P 1,013

$44.55 P 608

$149 P 2,026

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$96.1 P 1,310

$43.86 P 598

$146 P 1,994

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$241 P 3,281

$185 P 2,524

$333 P 4,543

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$143 P 1,950

$110 P 1,505

$221 P 3,009

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$524 P 7,150

$439 P 5,986

$731 P 9,977

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$333 P 4,542

$259 P 3,533

$555 P 7,570

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,093 P 28.5K

$1,871 P 25.5K

$2,301 P 31.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,287 P 17.6K

$1,270 P 17.3K

$1,327 P 18.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$508 P 6,929

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.12

7.5

10.5

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Gaborone Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Gaborone - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Gaborone tends to offer balanced value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want reliable services without the price tag of larger global hubs. You’ll notice that basic daily costs cluster around housing, groceries, utilities, and transport, with prices influenced by neighborhood and lifestyle choices. Central areas give easy access to coworking, cafés, and markets, while outlying neighborhoods offer more space at a lower premium. Seasonal tourism can affect some prices, but options for budgeting remain flexible. Practical planning means pricing a shortlist of areas, negotiating longer-term leases when possible, and trying local markets for fresher, affordable produce. Tip: Start with a flexible budget and test a couple of neighborhoods before committing.

Navigating daily life in Gaborone blends practicality with choice. Start your housing search by focusing on areas with easy access to workspaces or quiet residential blocks; use local rental portals and trusted agents, and set a clear shortlist of non-negotiables. For food, expect a mix of markets with fresh produce and modern supermarkets; options vary by season, but quality remains solid. Transport includes affordable taxis and ride-hailing, with car-sharing or a private vehicle helpful for outskirts. For errands, group trips by neighborhood to save time. Gaborone living cost awareness helps you balance rent, meals, and transit as you settle. Tip: test a few routes on busy days to estimate time and cost.

Your quality of life in Gaborone comes from a balanced budget, seasonal planning, and neighborhood fit. Build a lightweight budgeting framework that separates housing, food, transport, and leisure, with a small cushion for unexpected costs. Seasonality affects markets and outdoor activities; plan outdoor days in dry periods and reserve indoor options during rains. For neighborhood fit, consider safety, access to services, and community vibe; some expat-friendly pockets offer social groups and co-working spaces, while quieter districts emphasize space. Practical savings include cooking at home, buying in-season produce, and using shared workspaces to cut coffee costs. Tip: map a 2-week rotation of neighborhoods to understand daily commute and vibe.