Cost of Living in Windhoek - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

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.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.46 NAD 172
$6.60 NAD 109
$11.49 NAD 189
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.12 NAD 645
$33.53 NAD 553
$67.6 NAD 1,115
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.42 NAD 89.4
$4.57 NAD 75.4
$5.71 NAD 94.1
Cappuccino
$1.86 NAD 30.70
$0.88 NAD 14.46
$2.75 NAD 45.32
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 NAD 14.94
$0.65 NAD 10.65
$1.61 NAD 26.54
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97 NAD 15.93
$0.59 NAD 9.69
$1.46 NAD 24.06
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.80 NAD 29.61
$1.38 NAD 22.74
$2.49 NAD 41.06
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 NAD 37.48
$1.42 NAD 23.36
$2.84 NAD 46.89
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.44 NAD 23.71
$1.12 NAD 18.53
$2.26 NAD 37.23
White Bread (500g)
$0.82 NAD 13.52
$0.51 NAD 8.37
$0.90 NAD 14.81
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 NAD 27.23
$1.24 NAD 20.42
$2.75 NAD 45.32
Eggs
$2.80 NAD 46.12
$1.54 NAD 25.43
$5.95 NAD 98.1
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.28 NAD 104
$2.77 NAD 45.69
$9.96 NAD 164
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.38 NAD 88.8
$2.00 NAD 33.03
$6.87 NAD 113
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.58 NAD 108
$5.52 NAD 91.0
$8.28 NAD 137
Apples (1kg)
$1.80 NAD 29.72
$1.09 NAD 17.93
$2.73 NAD 45.06
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 NAD 32.58
$1.59 NAD 26.20
$2.84 NAD 46.86
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 NAD 26.74
$0.82 NAD 13.45
$2.71 NAD 44.67
Tomato (1kg)
$1.74 NAD 28.68
$0.82 NAD 13.54
$2.55 NAD 42.06
Potato (1kg)
$2.00 NAD 32.92
$0.55 NAD 9.08
$4.66 NAD 76.9
Onion (1kg)
$1.81 NAD 29.85
$0.97 NAD 15.93
$2.84 NAD 46.79
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 NAD 31.94
$1.14 NAD 18.76
$2.57 NAD 42.42
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 NAD 18.88
$0.68 NAD 11.29
$1.71 NAD 28.15
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72 NAD 44.85
$2.28 NAD 37.62
$3.74 NAD 61.7
Wine (Bottle)
$6.98 NAD 115
$4.85 NAD 80.0
$11.53 NAD 190
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 NAD 23.03
$0.86 NAD 14.22
$1.74 NAD 28.62
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 NAD 30.38
$0.98 NAD 16.16
$2.46 NAD 40.56
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.71 NAD 11.65
$0.60 NAD 9.87
$0.93 NAD 15.37
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.09 NAD 678
$31.58 NAD 521
$50.9 NAD 840
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.74 NAD 12.19
$0.74 NAD 12.19
$1.14 NAD 18.79
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.67 NAD 11.03
$0.67 NAD 11.03
$1.03 NAD 17.01
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.73 NAD 193
$6.71 NAD 111
$16.76 NAD 276
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 NAD 19.47
$1.11 NAD 18.33
$1.26 NAD 20.76
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K NAD 348.7K
$19.2K NAD 316.0K
$22.1K NAD 363.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K NAD 402.3K
$19.6K NAD 322.5K
$33.4K NAD 551.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$119 NAD 1,960
$56.8 NAD 936
$170 NAD 2,809
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.50 NAD 289
$13.64 NAD 225
$32.87 NAD 542
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.1 NAD 827
$33.02 NAD 545
$82.6 NAD 1,361
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$36.62 NAD 604
$21.24 NAD 350
$49.58 NAD 817
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.31 NAD 220
$5.61 NAD 92.4
$16.82 NAD 277
Cinema Ticket
$5.23 NAD 86.2
$4.41 NAD 72.7
$8.26 NAD 136
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$218 NAD 3,595
$145 NAD 2,383
$283 NAD 4,672
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,275 NAD 87.0K
$3,790 NAD 62.5K
$7,895 NAD 130.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 NAD 846
$44.80 NAD 739
$67.2 NAD 1,108
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.72 NAD 441
$11.02 NAD 182
$44.11 NAD 727
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 NAD 1,430
$49.21 NAD 811
$109 NAD 1,803
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.2 NAD 1,338
$33.10 NAD 546
$110 NAD 1,819
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$494 NAD 8,146
$363 NAD 5,986
$838 NAD 13.8K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$382 NAD 6,297
$250 NAD 4,120
$611 NAD 10.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,291 NAD 21.3K
$850 NAD 14.0K
$1,984 NAD 32.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$921 NAD 15.2K
$660 NAD 10.9K
$1,375 NAD 22.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,592 NAD 26.2K
$899 NAD 14.8K
$2,397 NAD 39.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$627 NAD 10.3K
$236 NAD 3,892
$1,242 NAD 20.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,009 NAD 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
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 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.

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