Cost of Living in Palapye - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $448 (excluding rent), and $626 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,051 (excluding rent), and $1,427 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.40 P 104

$3.70 P 51.8

$14.80 P 207

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.20 P 423

$18.88 P 264

$60.4 P 846

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.13 P 85.9

$5.74 P 80.5

$9.20 P 129

Cappuccino

$2.29 P 32.11

$1.00 P 13.97

$3.83 P 53.7

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

$0.82 P 11.51

$0.65 P 9.07

$1.44 P 20.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.47 P 6.60

$0.36 P 4.98

$1.08 P 15.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.30 P 32.22

$1.15 P 16.11

$3.45 P 48.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 P 41.99

$1.87 P 26.21

$3.75 P 52.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 P 16.50

$1.84 P 25.80

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 P 7.01

$0.45 P 6.34

$1.37 P 19.15

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.75 P 24.45

$1.09 P 15.30

$2.18 P 30.60

Eggs

$2.29 P 32.10

$1.57 P 21.99

$3.28 P 45.90

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.50 P 105

$3.34 P 46.80

$11.86 P 166

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.95 P 69.3

$2.90 P 40.67

$7.12 P 99.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.62 P 78.7

$3.75 P 52.5

$9.75 P 137

Apples (1kg)

$1.85 P 25.96

$0.93 P 12.98

$2.69 P 37.64

Banana (1kg)

$0.99 P 13.84

$2.81 P 39.38

Oranges (1kg)

$1.92 P 26.93

$1.14 P 15.96

$3.03 P 42.46

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 P 21.80

$1.10 P 15.45

$2.21 P 30.90

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 P 8.82

$1.72 P 24.11

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 P 8.08

$2.15 P 30.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 P 15.84

$0.76 P 10.61

$1.96 P 27.44

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 P 12.64

$0.68 P 9.52

$1.14 P 15.91

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.65 P 51.2

$3.43 P 48.02

$4.95 P 69.3

Wine (Bottle)

$4.43 P 62.0

$3.70 P 51.8

$7.39 P 104

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.67 P 23.33

$1.14 P 15.94

$2.27 P 31.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 P 28.97

$1.30 P 18.22

$2.89 P 40.53

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.49 P 6.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$16.46 P 231

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.46 P 6.43

$0.43 P 6.03

$0.64 P 8.98

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.72 P 38.07

$2.45 P 34.34

$4.46 P 62.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 P 41.03

$3.67 P 51.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 P 13.62

$0.79 P 11.04

$1.28 P 17.92

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

$22.7K P 317.6K

$12.8K P 180.0K

$28.6K P 401.2K

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

$16.7K P 233.7K

$14.8K P 207.8K

$22.2K P 311.6K

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

$30.15 P 422

$22.61 P 317

$102 P 1,436

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

$26.33 P 369

$18.69 P 262

$44.85 P 628

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.9 P 1,092

$36.77 P 515

$147 P 2,060

Cinema Ticket

$6.90 P 96.6

$5.37 P 75.2

$10.73 P 150

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

$44.57 P 624

$223 P 3,123

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,851 P 53.9K

$2,466 P 34.5K

$5,230 P 73.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.07 P 211

$60.3 P 844

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.29 P 158

$45.16 P 633

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$49.43 P 692

$45.62 P 639

$152 P 2,131

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.0 P 771

$22.01 P 308

$147 P 2,055

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$88.8 P 1,245

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$88.9 P 1,245

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$257 P 3,596

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$261 P 3,653

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: January 11, 2026

Palapye Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

262

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 Palapye - Frequently Asked Questions

Palapye offers a straightforward balance of costs and pace for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. In general, everyday essentials and modest dining tend to be more affordable than in larger cities, while imported goods and some services can feel pricier. The town provides a practical base for exploring central Botswana, with a slower rhythm that supports focused work and relaxed weekends. The value comes from accessible housing options, fresh local produce, and reliable internet in guesthouses or coworking spaces, though central locations may command a small premium. Cost of Living in Palapye, Botswana gives you a practical, steady baseline for longer stays. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods and map your weekly needs before committing.

Day-to-day life centers on a steady routine with a touch of Botswana's friendly pace. For housing, look for guesthouses or small apartments near the town center; leases are often flexible and negotiations are common. Food options blend bustling local markets with casual eateries, plus affordable groceries you can cook at home. Transportation is practical: shared taxis and local buses cover common routes, while many residents rent or own a car for weekend trips. For work, you'll find cafes and modest coworking spaces that suit occasional remote work. Palapye, Botswana living cost tends to be predictable for planning groceries, commutes, and daylight hours. Tip: check internet reliability at your top choices before signing a lease.

Quality of life in Palapye comes from balancing simple pleasures with smart budgeting. Build a lightweight framework: estimate weekly staples, set aside a cushion for occasional trips, and track minor spends like coffee or snacks. Seasonality affects outdoor options and travel; the dry stretch can be pleasantly predictable, while rain can change road conditions and access to some shops. Choose a neighborhood that fits your daily rhythm, near markets if you cook, or near a coworking hub if you work remotely. Practical savings come from buying local produce, using public transit, and sharing accommodation with others when possible. Tip: establish a monthly routine review to trim nonessential costs.