Cost of Living in Palapye - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $543 (excluding rent), and $625 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,205 (excluding rent), and $1,434 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.6 P 101

$3.8 P 50.5

$15.21 P 202

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.86 P 397

$18.66 P 248

$59.7 P 794

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.96 P 79.2

$5.58 P 74.1

$8.93 P 119

Cappuccino

$2.25 P 29.85

$0.98 P 12.99

$3.76 P 49.93

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

$0.84 P 11.14

$0.66 P 8.78

$1.47 P 19.53

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 P 6.73

$0.38 P 5.08

$1.16 P 15.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.3 P 30.6

$1.15 P 15.3

$3.45 P 45.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.05 P 40.48

$1.9 P 25.27

$3.81 P 50.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.2 P 16

$1.88 P 25

White Bread (500g)

$0.51 P 6.76

$0.46 P 6.11

$1.39 P 18.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.8 P 23.97

$1.13 P 15

$2.26 P 29.99

Eggs

$2.37 P 31.44

$1.62 P 21.54

$3.38 P 44.95

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.53 P 100

$3.35 P 44.58

$11.91 P 158

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.02 P 66.8

$2.95 P 39.16

$7.23 P 96.1

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.74 P 76.3

$3.83 P 50.9

$9.96 P 132

Apples (1kg)

$1.78 P 23.66

$0.89 P 11.83

$2.58 P 34.31

Banana (1kg)

$1 P 13.33

$2.85 P 37.93

Oranges (1kg)

$1.92 P 25.59

$1.14 P 15.16

$3.04 P 40.35

Tomato (1kg)

$1.61 P 21.38

$1.14 P 15.16

$2.28 P 30.32

Potato (1kg)

$0.59 P 7.78

$1.6 P 21.26

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 P 7.71

$2.16 P 28.78

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 P 14.74

$0.74 P 9.87

$1.92 P 25.53

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 P 11.63

$0.66 P 8.76

$1.1 P 14.64

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.68 P 48.86

$3.45 P 45.86

$4.98 P 66.2

Wine (Bottle)

$4.51 P 60

$3.76 P 49.98

$7.52 P 100

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.6 P 21.23

$1.09 P 14.5

$2.18 P 28.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 P 28.89

$1.37 P 18.18

$3.04 P 40.43

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.5 P 6.63

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$16.12 P 214

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.5 P 6.69

$0.47 P 6.27

$0.7 P 9.33

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.7 P 35.86

$2.43 P 32.34

$4.43 P 58.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.01 P 40.02

$3.77 P 50.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.93 P 12.37

$0.75 P 10.03

$1.22 P 16.28

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

$22.3K P 295.8K

$12.6K P 167.6K

$28.1K P 373.8K

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

$16.8K P 223.9K

$15K P 199K

$22.5K P 298.5K

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

$29.47 P 392

$22.1 P 294

$100 P 1,332

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

$26.39 P 351

$18.74 P 249

$44.96 P 598

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$79.5 P 1,056

$37.48 P 498

$150 P 1,993

Cinema Ticket

$6.63 P 88.1

$5.15 P 68.5

$10.31 P 137

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

$45.44 P 604

$227 P 3,020

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,864 P 51.4K

$2,474 P 32.9K

$5,248 P 69.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.15 P 201

$60.6 P 806

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.28 P 150

$45.1 P 600

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$47.64 P 633

$43.97 P 585

$147 P 1,949

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.4 P 736

$22.15 P 294

$148 P 1,963

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$88.7 P 1,179

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$89.5 P 1,189

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$256 P 3,407

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$265 P 3,522

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: December 1, 2025

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.