Cost of Living in Namibia

RESTAURANTS

Though you can always find some fancy expensive restaurants, eating out in Namibia is not expensive, especially not for a tourist coming from the West.

A good meal in a restaurant costs about 10$-15$ which is about half of what it costs in the USA.

You can always eat street food and that will cost you even less than a decent meal in an inexpensive restaurant (which is somewhere around 10.67$).

MARKETS

Generally, the cost of everyday groceries is fairly cheap as in most countries, that is, cheaper than eating in restaurants, so tourists living in Namibia who opt to cook at home will save a considerable amount of money.

Feel free to visit any market where you can find many delicious Namibian groceries and spices, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is an issue in Namibia, with reckless drivers everywhere and people ignoring traffic regulations.

Public transportation is unreliable but it is cheap.

Monthly pass for public transport costs 24$, while a one-way ticket is less than a dollar.

There’s always the option of hailing a taxi, but be careful, as they tend to overcharge.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

If we’re speaking about Namibia in general, paying bills in this country isn’t expensive.

Taking into consideration basic monthly utilities like electricity, water, heating, and cooling, it all amounts to around 100$ a month, which is very affordable for a normal-sized apartment of about 85m2.

Monthly internet is somewhat expensive in comparison to that.

SPORTS & LEISURE

If you want to spend some quality time having fun in Namibia or indulging in sports activities, you’ll need to pay up.

Namely, these activities are more expensive in Namibia, especially renting out a tennis court per hour.

Tickets for cinema, however, are less expensive than in many other countries, for instance.

CLOTHING & SHOES

Prices of clothes have increased tremendously over the years and, nowadays, they cost about the same as in the USA.

One pair of jeans costs around 45$, maybe less, while quality sneakers are around 65.91$.

You can fill up your shopping basket with light pieces of clothing in chain stores like Zara or Bershka.

RENT PER MONTH

Renting out an apartment in Namibia isn’t cheap, whether it’s in the suburbs or the city center.

Of course, you can pay less if you rent an apartment in a city that isn’t large or a tourist destination, but altogether it’s not a small investment.

An apartment for one, or possibly two people can cost around 785.74$ while a bigger apartment for a family can cost twice as much.

HEALTHCARE

Namibia has a public healthcare system funded through general taxation, complemented by private insurance, which typically costs 50 to 150 USD per month.

Out-of-pocket spending averages around 300 to 600 USD per person per year, mainly for medications, hospital care, and private consultations.

With average monthly salaries near 1,200 USD, healthcare costs are generally manageable, though private care adds noticeable expenses.

EDUCATION

Public schools charge minimal tuition or are free for primary and secondary levels, but families pay for uniforms, books, and materials, roughly $100 to $400 per year.

Private schools charge $3,000 to $10,000 annually.

Public universities charge tuition around $1,000 to $3,000 per year, while private universities can cost $4,000 to $8,000 annually.

Students also cover housing, food, transport, and textbooks.

Average monthly income is about $1,000, so higher education and private schooling costs are a meaningful portion of household income.