Cost of Living in Mbabane - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $449 (excluding rent), and $751 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,005 (excluding rent), and $1,565 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.04 SZL 49.85

$1.02 SZL 16.67

$5.07 SZL 83.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.46 SZL 467

$27.77 SZL 455

$33.35 SZL 547

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.27 SZL 37.30

$2.22 SZL 36.33

$2.32 SZL 38.11

Cappuccino

$1.94 SZL 31.86

$1.02 SZL 16.76

$2.55 SZL 41.82

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

$0.98 SZL 16.03

$0.81 SZL 13.30

$1.16 SZL 19.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.55 SZL 8.97

$0.37 SZL 6.14

$0.64 SZL 10.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.65 SZL 27.11

$0.99 SZL 16.30

$2.20 SZL 36.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.70 SZL 27.91

$1.31 SZL 21.43

$2.84 SZL 46.51

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 SZL 17.72

$1.04 SZL 17.05

$1.15 SZL 18.90

White Bread (500g)

$0.73 SZL 12.00

$0.38 SZL 6.24

$0.88 SZL 14.40

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 SZL 20.97

$0.63 SZL 10.40

$1.72 SZL 28.19

Eggs

$1.72 SZL 28.24

$1.50 SZL 24.54

$1.83 SZL 30.09

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.76 SZL 144

$6.57 SZL 108

$9.85 SZL 162

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.83 SZL 79.2

$3.79 SZL 62.2

$6.59 SZL 108

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.20 SZL 85.3

$3.37 SZL 55.3

$5.90 SZL 96.8

Apples (1kg)

$1.47 SZL 24.03

$0.87 SZL 14.32

$1.63 SZL 26.73

Banana (1kg)

$0.70 SZL 11.44

$0.64 SZL 10.50

$0.80 SZL 13.16

Oranges (1kg)

$0.89 SZL 14.62

$0.48 SZL 7.86

$1.13 SZL 18.55

Tomato (1kg)

$1.35 SZL 22.19

$1.04 SZL 17.05

$1.65 SZL 27.01

Potato (1kg)

$1.01 SZL 16.58

$0.66 SZL 10.78

$1.37 SZL 22.53

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 SZL 19.93

$0.82 SZL 13.39

$1.42 SZL 23.28

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.56 SZL 9.25

$0.41 SZL 6.68

$0.70 SZL 11.48

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 SZL 12.75

$0.76 SZL 12.41

$0.81 SZL 13.26

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.54 SZL 41.64

$2.46 SZL 40.36

$2.63 SZL 43.08

Wine (Bottle)

$6.27 SZL 103

$4.96 SZL 81.3

$12.55 SZL 206

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 SZL 24.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.42 SZL 23.36

$1.14 SZL 18.69

$1.71 SZL 28.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.13 SZL 18.56

$0.68 SZL 11.11

$1.24 SZL 20.39

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.71 SZL 487

$28.30 SZL 464

$31.13 SZL 510

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 SZL 54.2

$2.75 SZL 45.13

$3.85 SZL 63.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.73 SZL 44.69

$1.36 SZL 22.26

$3.81 SZL 62.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 SZL 53.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 SZL 18.85

$1.14 SZL 18.68

$1.17 SZL 19.17

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

$17.1K SZL 281.1K

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

$20.8K SZL 341.2K

$19.4K SZL 318.4K

$22.2K SZL 363.9K

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

$77.7 SZL 1,275

$56.9 SZL 933

$119 SZL 1,958

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

$35.19 SZL 577

$14.07 SZL 231

$56.3 SZL 923

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.80 SZL 456

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.27 SZL 464

$14.13 SZL 232

$28.27 SZL 464

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.18 SZL 85.0

$2.88 SZL 47.21

$5.76 SZL 94.4

Cinema Ticket

$3.61 SZL 59.2

$3.33 SZL 54.7

$5.56 SZL 91.1

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

$108 SZL 1,778

$51.4 SZL 842

$166 SZL 2,714

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,604 SZL 75.5K

$3,312 SZL 54.3K

$5,895 SZL 96.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.44 SZL 745

$19.89 SZL 326

$45.45 SZL 745

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.60 SZL 387

$14.15 SZL 232

$28.32 SZL 464

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.1 SZL 1,199

$56.3 SZL 922

$95.6 SZL 1,568

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.2 SZL 1,364

$45.36 SZL 744

$108 SZL 1,767

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$260 SZL 4,259

$195 SZL 3,206

$558 SZL 9,159

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$179 SZL 2,931

$165 SZL 2,706

$220 SZL 3,607

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$504 SZL 8,273

$426 SZL 6,991

$568 SZL 9,321

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$375 SZL 6,150

$340 SZL 5,569

$396 SZL 6,498

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$363 SZL 5,956

$242 SZL 3,971

$484 SZL 7,941

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$270 SZL 4,433

$180 SZL 2,955

$360 SZL 5,911

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$781 SZL 12.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.62

7.25

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Mbabane Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

190

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 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.