Cost of Living in Windhoek - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Windhoek
Address: Windhoek, NA

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,108 monthly including rent, or $645 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,797 with rent, or $1,168 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,485 including rent, or $1,690 for daily expenses alone.

Windhoek sits 12–17% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are slightly above average (8%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.55 NAD 172

$6.67 NAD 108

$11.60 NAD 189

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.77 NAD 630

$33.23 NAD 540

$67.0 NAD 1,089

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.35 NAD 87.0

$4.51 NAD 73.3

$5.64 NAD 91.6

Cappuccino

$1.94 NAD 31.53

$0.91 NAD 14.85

$2.86 NAD 46.54

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.96 NAD 15.57

$0.68 NAD 11.10

$1.70 NAD 27.67

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.95 NAD 15.37

$0.58 NAD 9.35

$1.43 NAD 23.22

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.86 NAD 30.25

$1.43 NAD 23.23

$2.58 NAD 41.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 NAD 37.01

$1.42 NAD 23.07

$2.85 NAD 46.30

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 NAD 23.51

$1.13 NAD 18.38

$2.27 NAD 36.92

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 NAD 13.94

$0.53 NAD 8.63

$0.94 NAD 15.27

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 NAD 27.04

$1.25 NAD 20.28

$2.77 NAD 45.00

Eggs

$2.80 NAD 45.47

$1.54 NAD 25.07

$5.95 NAD 96.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.21 NAD 101

$2.74 NAD 44.54

$9.85 NAD 160

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.33 NAD 86.6

$1.98 NAD 32.22

$6.80 NAD 111

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.79 NAD 110

$5.70 NAD 92.6

$8.55 NAD 139

Apples (1kg)

$1.86 NAD 30.16

$1.12 NAD 18.19

$2.81 NAD 45.73

Banana (1kg)

$1.90 NAD 30.84

$1.53 NAD 24.80

$2.73 NAD 44.36

Oranges (1kg)

$1.72 NAD 27.87

$0.86 NAD 14.02

$2.87 NAD 46.57

Tomato (1kg)

$1.77 NAD 28.70

$0.83 NAD 13.55

$2.59 NAD 42.09

Potato (1kg)

$2.04 NAD 33.17

$0.56 NAD 9.15

$4.77 NAD 77.4

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 NAD 29.47

$0.97 NAD 15.73

$2.84 NAD 46.20

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 NAD 30.54

$1.10 NAD 17.94

$2.50 NAD 40.56

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 NAD 18.59

$0.68 NAD 11.12

$1.71 NAD 27.72

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.81 NAD 45.70

$2.36 NAD 38.33

$3.87 NAD 62.9

Wine (Bottle)

$7.21 NAD 117

$5.01 NAD 81.4

$11.90 NAD 193

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 NAD 21.80

$0.83 NAD 13.47

$1.67 NAD 27.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 NAD 30.03

$0.98 NAD 15.97

$2.47 NAD 40.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.70 NAD 11.34

$0.59 NAD 9.60

$0.92 NAD 14.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.64 NAD 661

$31.24 NAD 508

$50.4 NAD 819

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.68 NAD 11.12

$1.05 NAD 17.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.73 NAD 11.89

$1.13 NAD 18.35

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.51 NAD 187

$6.58 NAD 107

$16.44 NAD 267

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 NAD 19.93

$1.16 NAD 18.77

$1.31 NAD 21.26

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.2K NAD 344.2K

$19.2K NAD 311.9K

$22.1K NAD 359.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.0K NAD 389.7K

$19.2K NAD 312.4K

$32.8K NAD 533.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$116 NAD 1,893

$55.7 NAD 904

$167 NAD 2,713

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.47 NAD 284

$13.61 NAD 221

$32.80 NAD 533

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.0 NAD 828

$33.56 NAD 545

$83.9 NAD 1,364

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.28 NAD 606

$21.62 NAD 351

$50.5 NAD 820

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.37 NAD 217

$5.63 NAD 91.5

$16.89 NAD 274

Cinema Ticket

$5.42 NAD 88.1

$4.57 NAD 74.3

$8.57 NAD 139

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$218 NAD 3,539

$144 NAD 2,346

$283 NAD 4,600

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,110 NAD 83.0K

$3,672 NAD 59.7K

$7,649 NAD 124.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 NAD 840

$45.09 NAD 733

$67.6 NAD 1,099

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.89 NAD 437

$11.09 NAD 180

$44.38 NAD 721

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.3 NAD 1,451

$50.7 NAD 824

$113 NAD 1,831

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.2 NAD 1,353

$33.95 NAD 552

$113 NAD 1,839

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 NAD 7,970

$360 NAD 5,857

$832 NAD 13.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$389 NAD 6,326

$255 NAD 4,139

$623 NAD 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,257 NAD 20.4K

$828 NAD 13.5K

$1,932 NAD 31.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$950 NAD 15.4K

$681 NAD 11.1K

$1,418 NAD 23.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,660 NAD 27.0K

$937 NAD 15.2K

$2,500 NAD 40.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$616 NAD 10.0K

$232 NAD 3,771

$1,221 NAD 19.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,037 NAD 16.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.69

12.25

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $490 for a central one-bedroom, or $389 outside the center. At 47% of the average salary ($1,037), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,037, while typical expenses reach $1,108. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $199 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 $40.64 per month – above the African average of $29.00.

Cost Highlights

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 94% of cities in Africa

Family monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 93% of cities in Africa

3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 93% of cities in Africa

Windhoek Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Windhoek - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

With 47% 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.

A single person in Windhoek typically spends $1,108 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $645. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

An average salary of $1,037 technically covers the $1,108 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.

Where you live in Windhoek makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $490; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $389. Overall, the market runs from $389 to $490 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A regular gym membership in Windhoek costs around $37.28 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $199 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.

Living on $1,000 in Windhoek means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,108. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Windhoek offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value vibrant nightlife, clean air, wellness scene, and at around $1,108 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

Monthly expenses in Windhoek run around $1,108, so putting money aside takes more than $1,663 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travel in Windhoek works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,108 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.