📌Living costs for one person come to about $1,124 monthly including rent, or $694 excluding housing.
📌Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,850 with rent, or $1,066 without housing.
📌Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,577 including rent, or $1,438 for daily expenses alone.
📊Windhoek sits 9–16% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are slightly above average (12%) – still relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KNAD 348.7K
$19.2KNAD 316.0K
$22.1KNAD 363.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4KNAD 402.3K
$19.6KNAD 322.5K
$33.4KNAD 551.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$119NAD 1,960
$56.8NAD 936
$170NAD 2,809
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.50NAD 289
$13.64NAD 225
$32.87NAD 542
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.1NAD 827
$33.02NAD 545
$82.6NAD 1,361
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.62NAD 604
$21.24NAD 350
$49.58NAD 817
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.31NAD 220
$5.61NAD 92.4
$16.82NAD 277
Cinema Ticket
$5.23NAD 86.2
$4.41NAD 72.7
$8.26NAD 136
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$218NAD 3,595
$145NAD 2,383
$283NAD 4,672
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,275NAD 87.0K
$3,790NAD 62.5K
$7,895NAD 130.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3NAD 846
$44.80NAD 739
$67.2NAD 1,108
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.72NAD 441
$11.02NAD 182
$44.11NAD 727
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.7NAD 1,430
$49.21NAD 811
$109NAD 1,803
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.2NAD 1,338
$33.10NAD 546
$110NAD 1,819
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$494NAD 8,146
$363NAD 5,986
$838NAD 13.8K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$382NAD 6,297
$250NAD 4,120
$611NAD 10.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,291NAD 21.3K
$850NAD 14.0K
$1,984NAD 32.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$921NAD 15.2K
$660NAD 10.9K
$1,375NAD 22.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,592NAD 26.2K
$899NAD 14.8K
$2,397NAD 39.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$627NAD 10.3K
$236NAD 3,892
$1,242NAD 20.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,009NAD 16.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.69
8
12.25
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $494 for a central one-bedroom, or $382 outside the center. At 49% of the average salary ($1,009), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $1,009, while typical expenses reach $1,124. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $198 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $39.00 for two – broadly in line with the African average.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $41.09 per month – above the African average of $29.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Family monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 94% of cities in Africa
⭐Monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 93% of cities in Africa
⭐Overall monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 93% of cities in Africa
Windhoek Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)
Mobile
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
Fixed Broadband
Download
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Upload
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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Windhoek - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windhoek affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Windhoek, Namibia varies with neighborhood proximity to the city center and international facilities, while exploring outer areas or developing suburbs can stretch your budget further. You'll find a mix of affordable street-food options, reliable utilities, and mid-range housing that remains approachable compared with some larger capitals. For digital nomads, a few coworking hubs and short-term leases provide flexibility, but planning around seasonal travel peaks helps. Tip: Map costs across neighborhoods and set a monthly cap for housing and transport.
What does daily life look like in Windhoek in terms of housing search, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life centers on practical budgeting and friendly services. Housing searches cluster around Klein Windhoek and Eros, with options from compact apartments to larger homes; expect longer lease norms than some cities. Food choices range from local markets to international groceries, with seasonal produce and affordable street meals. Transport leans toward a car or ride-hailing, while central districts are walkable. Co-working spaces offer reliable work environments and flexible hours for remote work. Windhoek living cost varies by neighborhood, schedule, and lifestyle, so test several areas during a short stay. Tip: Make a two-week exploratory pass to compare vendors and transit routes.
What quality-of-life considerations and budgeting strategies help you settle in Windhoek and choose a neighborhood?
Quality of life in Windhoek blends outdoor activity with solid infrastructure. A simple budgeting framework works: rent, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure. In neighborhoods like Klein Windhoek or Eros, you'll find mature housing and safer streets; more affordable options appear further east or in smaller complexes. Seasons influence daily routines: the rainy season can affect travel and laundry, while dry months are sunny and pleasant for outdoor work. Save by cooking at home, using local markets, and negotiating longer leases for lower rates. Tip: Build a weekly menu, set a cap for discretionary spending, and rotate errands to off-peak hours.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Windhoek?
With 49% of the average paycheck going to rent, Windhoek is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What is the average cost of living in Windhoek?
A single person in Windhoek typically spends $1,124 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $694. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
Is the average salary in Windhoek enough to cover living costs?
An average salary of $1,009 technically covers the $1,124 monthly cost of living in Windhoek, but just barely. There's little room for surprises – a rent hike, medical bill, or unexpected repair can throw things off quickly at this income level.
What are typical rents in Windhoek?
Where you live in Windhoek makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $494; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $382. Overall, the market runs from $382 to $494 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Windhoek?
A regular gym membership in Windhoek costs around $36.62 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Windhoek?
Expect to spend around $198 per month on groceries in Windhoek. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Windhoek?
Living on $1,000 in Windhoek means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,124. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Windhoek?
Windhoek offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value vibrant nightlife, clean air, wellness scene, and at around $1,124 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Windhoek?
Monthly expenses in Windhoek run around $1,124, so putting money aside takes more than $1,686 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Windhoek good for backpackers?
Budget travel in Windhoek works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,124 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.