For one person, living costs in Windhoek are estimated at $1,188 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $23 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Windhoek actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,188 monthly including rent, or $689 excluding housing.
$1,188 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,981 with rent, or $1,228 without housing.
$1,981 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,775 including rent, or $1,766 for daily expenses alone.
$2,775 /mo
📊
Windhoek sits 2–12% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 31% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.8KNAD 390.8K
$23.2KNAD 382.0K
$24.0KNAD 394.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KNAD 439.5K
$22.7KNAD 372.7K
$33.4KNAD 549.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$144NAD 2,373
$73.7NAD 1,212
$184NAD 3,030
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.72NAD 439
$15.29NAD 251
$36.69NAD 603
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.2NAD 842
$33.56NAD 552
$91.5NAD 1,505
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.32NAD 613
$30.26NAD 497
$45.39NAD 746
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.77NAD 177
$3.08NAD 50.6
$18.46NAD 304
Cinema Ticket
$5.29NAD 87.0
$4.70NAD 77.2
$8.81NAD 145
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$207NAD 3,403
$71.7NAD 1,178
$299NAD 4,908
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,433NAD 89.3K
$4,289NAD 70.5K
$6,618NAD 108.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.1NAD 922
$43.01NAD 707
$79.9NAD 1,313
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.37NAD 581
$12.28NAD 202
$61.4NAD 1,009
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.1NAD 1,464
$71.9NAD 1,181
$150NAD 2,461
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.1NAD 1,547
$59.8NAD 982
$120NAD 1,965
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$504NAD 8,283
$363NAD 5,970
$908NAD 14.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$354NAD 5,818
$240NAD 3,952
$661NAD 10.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,147NAD 18.9K
$716NAD 11.8K
$2,087NAD 34.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$864NAD 14.2K
$542NAD 8,913
$1,205NAD 19.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,625NAD 26.7K
$918NAD 15.1K
$2,447NAD 40.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$602NAD 9,897
$227NAD 3,728
$1,194NAD 19.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,005NAD 16.5K
-
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: October 10, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Windhoek$1,188
Windhoek$2,775
🏠Accommodation & Living
$354 29.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$225 18.9%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$222 18.7%
🍽Eating Out
$159 13.4%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$124 10.4%
🚌Getting Around
$57 4.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$48 4%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$864 31.2%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$522 18.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$249 9%
🍽Eating Out
$644 23.2%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$275 9.9%
🚌Getting Around
$115 4.1%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$107 3.8%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $504 for a central one-bedroom, or $354 outside the center. At 50% of the average salary ($1,005), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $1,005, while typical expenses reach $1,188. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $225 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $63.0 for two – above the African average of $41.00.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $47.82 per month – above the African average of $30.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa
⭐Family monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa
⭐Three-course dinner for two, mid-range is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa
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 50% 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 $1,188 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $689. 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 $1,005 technically covers the $1,188 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 $504; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $354. Overall, the market runs from $354 to $504 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Windhoek?
A regular gym membership in Windhoek costs around $37.32 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 $225 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 $1,188. 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 $1,188 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 $1,188, so putting money aside takes more than $1,782 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 $1,188 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.