📌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.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KNAD 395.4K
$23.9KNAD 386.4K
$24.7KNAD 399.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3KNAD 489.7K
$25.1KNAD 406.5K
$35.2KNAD 569.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$142NAD 2,294
$74.7NAD 1,207
$187NAD 3,017
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.74NAD 465
$15.56NAD 252
$37.34NAD 604
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.03NAD 793
$34.67NAD 561
$81.9NAD 1,325
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.49NAD 606
$30.40NAD 492
$45.61NAD 737
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.77NAD 174
$3.08NAD 49.75
$18.46NAD 299
Cinema Ticket
$5.50NAD 88.9
$4.89NAD 79.0
$9.17NAD 148
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$213NAD 3,445
$73.8NAD 1,193
$307NAD 4,969
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,564NAD 90.0K
$4,392NAD 71.0K
$6,777NAD 109.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.1NAD 924
$43.84NAD 709
$81.4NAD 1,316
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.02NAD 582
$12.51NAD 202
$62.5NAD 1,011
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.6NAD 1,481
$73.9NAD 1,195
$154NAD 2,489
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101NAD 1,629
$62.1NAD 1,004
$124NAD 2,009
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$535NAD 8,657
$370NAD 5,979
$925NAD 14.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$388NAD 6,275
$250NAD 4,043
$688NAD 11.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,182NAD 19.1K
$737NAD 11.9K
$2,151NAD 34.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$998NAD 16.1K
$568NAD 9,176
$1,577NAD 25.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,637NAD 26.5K
$925NAD 15.0K
$2,466NAD 39.9K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$615NAD 9,943
$232NAD 3,746
$1,219NAD 19.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,029NAD 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
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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 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.