Cost of Living in Windhoek - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,238 monthly including rent, or $696 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,074 with rent, or $1,266 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,910 including rent, or $1,836 for daily expenses alone.

Windhoek sits 1–10% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 31% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.60 NAD 188
$7.32 NAD 118
$18.31 NAD 296
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.8 NAD 1,014
$37.65 NAD 609
$81.6 NAD 1,319
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.38 NAD 103
$5.74 NAD 92.9
$7.66 NAD 124
Cappuccino
$2.45 NAD 39.62
$1.40 NAD 22.64
$3.19 NAD 51.6
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 NAD 14.34
$0.71 NAD 11.53
$1.79 NAD 28.98
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93 NAD 15.08
$0.63 NAD 10.16
$1.57 NAD 25.41
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 NAD 31.64
$1.09 NAD 17.63
$3.02 NAD 48.79
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 NAD 36.93
$1.41 NAD 22.76
$3.05 NAD 49.35
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.64 NAD 26.59
$1.27 NAD 20.48
$2.53 NAD 40.96
White Bread (500g)
$0.90 NAD 14.59
$0.84 NAD 13.50
$1.01 NAD 16.30
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.10 NAD 33.91
$1.34 NAD 21.65
$3.66 NAD 59.2
Eggs
$3.12 NAD 50.5
$1.82 NAD 29.44
$5.83 NAD 94.2
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.93 NAD 161
$5.09 NAD 82.3
$19.09 NAD 309
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.64 NAD 107
$2.14 NAD 34.59
$8.86 NAD 143
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.54 NAD 122
$4.48 NAD 72.4
$13.92 NAD 225
Apples (1kg)
$2.27 NAD 36.75
$1.26 NAD 20.44
$3.91 NAD 63.3
Banana (1kg)
$2.00 NAD 32.30
$1.73 NAD 27.96
$2.47 NAD 39.85
Oranges (1kg)
$1.89 NAD 30.49
$1.23 NAD 19.90
$3.08 NAD 49.75
Tomato (1kg)
$2.25 NAD 36.37
$1.26 NAD 20.32
$3.46 NAD 55.9
Potato (1kg)
$2.21 NAD 35.80
$0.63 NAD 10.14
$3.13 NAD 50.7
Onion (1kg)
$1.82 NAD 29.35
$1.23 NAD 19.89
$2.46 NAD 39.78
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.09 NAD 33.78
$1.26 NAD 20.43
$2.84 NAD 45.97
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 NAD 18.55
$0.72 NAD 11.63
$1.75 NAD 28.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.34 NAD 54.0
$2.92 NAD 47.23
$4.20 NAD 67.8
Wine (Bottle)
$6.93 NAD 112
$4.82 NAD 77.9
$11.44 NAD 185
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46 NAD 23.59
$0.86 NAD 13.96
$2.33 NAD 37.71
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45 NAD 23.50
$0.91 NAD 14.67
$2.12 NAD 34.23
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 NAD 12.63
$0.66 NAD 10.60
$0.90 NAD 14.50
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.94 NAD 807
$40.71 NAD 658
$58.0 NAD 938
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.84 NAD 13.63
$0.84 NAD 13.63
$1.68 NAD 27.09
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.95 NAD 15.42
$0.83 NAD 13.43
$1.59 NAD 25.71
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.11 NAD 260
$7.43 NAD 120
$18.58 NAD 300
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 NAD 22.92
$1.29 NAD 20.92
$1.50 NAD 24.25
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5K NAD 395.4K
$23.9K NAD 386.4K
$24.7K NAD 399.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K NAD 489.7K
$25.1K NAD 406.5K
$35.2K NAD 569.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$142 NAD 2,294
$74.7 NAD 1,207
$187 NAD 3,017
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.74 NAD 465
$15.56 NAD 252
$37.34 NAD 604
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.03 NAD 793
$34.67 NAD 561
$81.9 NAD 1,325
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.49 NAD 606
$30.40 NAD 492
$45.61 NAD 737
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.77 NAD 174
$3.08 NAD 49.75
$18.46 NAD 299
Cinema Ticket
$5.50 NAD 88.9
$4.89 NAD 79.0
$9.17 NAD 148
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$213 NAD 3,445
$73.8 NAD 1,193
$307 NAD 4,969
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,564 NAD 90.0K
$4,392 NAD 71.0K
$6,777 NAD 109.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.1 NAD 924
$43.84 NAD 709
$81.4 NAD 1,316
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.02 NAD 582
$12.51 NAD 202
$62.5 NAD 1,011
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.6 NAD 1,481
$73.9 NAD 1,195
$154 NAD 2,489
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101 NAD 1,629
$62.1 NAD 1,004
$124 NAD 2,009
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$535 NAD 8,657
$370 NAD 5,979
$925 NAD 14.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$388 NAD 6,275
$250 NAD 4,043
$688 NAD 11.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,182 NAD 19.1K
$737 NAD 11.9K
$2,151 NAD 34.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$998 NAD 16.1K
$568 NAD 9,176
$1,577 NAD 25.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,637 NAD 26.5K
$925 NAD 15.0K
$2,466 NAD 39.9K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$615 NAD 9,943
$232 NAD 3,746
$1,219 NAD 19.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,029 NAD 16.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.42
10
12.25

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $535 for a central one-bedroom, or $388 outside the center. At 52% of the average salary ($1,029), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,029, while typical expenses reach $1,238. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $231 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $63.0 for two – above the African average of $42.00.

Public transport is priced at around $49.94 per month – above the African average of $30.00.

Cost Highlights

Three-course dinner for two, mid-range is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa

Family monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa

Windhoek Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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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 52% 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 $1,238 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $696. 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 $1,029 technically covers the $1,238 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 $535; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $388. Overall, the market runs from $388 to $535 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Windhoek?
A regular gym membership in Windhoek costs around $37.49 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 $231 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 $1,238. 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 $1,238 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 $1,238, so putting money aside takes more than $1,857 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 $1,238 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.

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