Cost of Living in Mbabane - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $482 (excluding rent), and $747 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,139 (excluding rent), and $1,566 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.09 SZL 55

$1.03 SZL 18.39

$5.16 SZL 91.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.74 SZL 511

$28.04 SZL 499

$33.67 SZL 599

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.27 SZL 40.4

$2.21 SZL 39.35

$2.32 SZL 41.28

Cappuccino

$1.89 SZL 33.66

$1 SZL 17.71

$2.48 SZL 44.18

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

$0.98 SZL 17.43

$0.81 SZL 14.46

$1.17 SZL 20.76

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.55 SZL 9.79

$0.38 SZL 6.7

$0.65 SZL 11.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.64 SZL 29.19

$0.99 SZL 17.55

$2.19 SZL 38.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.7 SZL 30.2

$1.3 SZL 23.19

$2.83 SZL 50.3

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 SZL 19.07

$1.03 SZL 18.34

$1.14 SZL 20.34

White Bread (500g)

$0.73 SZL 12.97

$0.38 SZL 6.74

$0.87 SZL 15.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 SZL 22.7

$0.63 SZL 11.26

$1.71 SZL 30.5

Eggs

$1.64 SZL 29.19

$1.43 SZL 25.37

$1.75 SZL 31.11

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.94 SZL 159

$6.71 SZL 119

$10.06 SZL 179

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.05 SZL 89.9

$3.97 SZL 70.6

$6.89 SZL 123

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.14 SZL 91.5

$3.34 SZL 59.3

$5.84 SZL 104

Apples (1kg)

$1.54 SZL 27.43

$0.92 SZL 16.35

$1.72 SZL 30.52

Banana (1kg)

$0.69 SZL 12.34

$0.64 SZL 11.33

$0.8 SZL 14.2

Oranges (1kg)

$0.97 SZL 17.19

$0.52 SZL 9.24

$1.23 SZL 21.81

Tomato (1kg)

$1.4 SZL 24.88

$1.07 SZL 19.11

$1.7 SZL 30.29

Potato (1kg)

$1 SZL 17.87

$0.65 SZL 11.62

$1.37 SZL 24.29

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 SZL 22.76

$0.86 SZL 15.29

$1.49 SZL 26.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 SZL 9.91

$0.4 SZL 7.16

$0.69 SZL 12.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 SZL 12.79

$0.7 SZL 12.45

$0.75 SZL 13.31

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.66 SZL 47.31

$2.58 SZL 45.85

$2.75 SZL 48.95

Wine (Bottle)

$5.47 SZL 97.2

$4.32 SZL 76.9

$10.93 SZL 194

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 SZL 25.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.41 SZL 25.11

$1.13 SZL 20.09

$1.69 SZL 30.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.1 SZL 19.48

$0.66 SZL 11.65

$1.2 SZL 21.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.99 SZL 516

$27.61 SZL 491

$30.37 SZL 540

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.43 SZL 61.1

$2.86 SZL 50.9

$4.01 SZL 71.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.69 SZL 47.86

$1.34 SZL 23.84

$3.76 SZL 66.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.42 SZL 60.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 SZL 21.15

$1.18 SZL 20.96

$1.21 SZL 21.51

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

$16.9K SZL 300.2K

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

$21.2K SZL 377K

$19.8K SZL 351.8K

$22.6K SZL 402.1K

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

$76 SZL 1,353

$55.6 SZL 990

$117 SZL 2,078

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

$35.38 SZL 629

$14.15 SZL 252

$56.6 SZL 1,007

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.5 SZL 489

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.41 SZL 505

$14.2 SZL 253

$28.41 SZL 505

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.97 SZL 88.4

$2.76 SZL 49.13

$5.52 SZL 98.3

Cinema Ticket

$3.58 SZL 63.8

$3.31 SZL 58.9

$5.51 SZL 98.1

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

$106 SZL 1,886

$50.2 SZL 894

$162 SZL 2,879

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,516 SZL 80.3K

$3,249 SZL 57.8K

$5,782 SZL 102.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.35 SZL 807

$19.85 SZL 353

$45.36 SZL 807

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.93 SZL 408

$13.75 SZL 245

$27.51 SZL 489

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.3 SZL 1,286

$55.6 SZL 989

$94.6 SZL 1,682

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.8 SZL 1,455

$44.63 SZL 794

$106 SZL 1,885

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$265 SZL 4,713

$199 SZL 3,548

$570 SZL 10.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$182 SZL 3,232

$168 SZL 2,984

$224 SZL 3,978

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$506 SZL 8,998

$427 SZL 7,604

$570 SZL 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 SZL 6,652

$339 SZL 6,024

$395 SZL 7,028

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$340 SZL 6,046

$227 SZL 4,031

$453 SZL 8,061

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$256 SZL 4,560

$171 SZL 3,040

$342 SZL 6,080

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$727 SZL 12.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.62

7.25

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

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Mbabane - Frequently Asked Questions

Mbabane tends to offer solid value for everyday living when you compare it with larger regional capitals. In particular, consider the Cost of Living in Mbabane, which remains moderate if you focus on non-tourist areas. Local groceries, street food, and basic services often feel more affordable than in bigger cities. Housing ranges from simple central apartments to larger homes in outlying neighborhoods, with price bands that reflect distance from the core. Utilities and internet are generally reliable, but you may encounter occasional service gaps – plan with a flexible mindset. Tip: Start with a short stay to test neighborhoods and refine your budget as you go.

Daily life here blends local practicality with a relaxed pace. For housing, use local listings and a reliable agent; short-term leases are common, and you can negotiate furnished options. Grocery shopping centers around well-stocked markets and shops where you will save by choosing local produce. Transport is practical via taxis, ride-sharing, or short drives; walking works in safer, compact zones. For work, you will find beginner-friendly coworking spaces and cafes with dependable Wi-Fi. Errands, things like banking or postal services, are straightforward but may require in-person visits. Mbabane living cost varies by area, so tailor your base to your routine. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods near amenities to cut transport time and simplify errands.

Quality of life in Mbabane depends on choosing a pace that suits you while staying connected to amenities. A practical budgeting framework is to identify fixed housing and utilities first, then allocate flexible funds for groceries, dining, and leisure while leaving room for surprise opportunities. Save by choosing walkable neighborhoods with markets nearby, cooking at home, and using shared workspaces instead of private offices. Seasonality matters for outdoor activities and clothing needs, so plan weekend trips to nearby nature spots during dry spells or rainy-season weekends when prices dip for local experiences. Neighborhood fit matters; central areas offer quick access to services and nightlife, while hillside pockets bring quiet and views. Tip: test a couple of areas during different days to gauge vibe and safety.