Cost Of Living For a Family in Namibia 2025

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Namibia

Average monthly spending for families in Namibia

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: NAD
9,200 26,000 170,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$480 $1,400 $9,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Namibia?

Families in Namibia spend around 26,000 NAD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 9,200 NAD or as high as 170,000 NAD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Namibia

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Namibia

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

18 NAD 35 NAD 58 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.92 $1.8 $3.1

Restaurant meal for one

58 NAD 88 NAD 180 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.6 $9.2

Fine dining meal for one

120 NAD 180 NAD 700 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $9.2 $37

Cappuccino or latte

15 NAD 23 NAD 35 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.77 $1.2 $1.8

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

12 NAD 14 NAD 18 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.62 $0.74 $0.92

12 eggs

8.8 NAD 12 NAD 18 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.46 $0.62 $0.92

Fresh whole chicken

20 NAD 26 NAD 36 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.4 $1.9

Pack of beef

23 NAD 35 NAD 70 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.8 $3.7

Medium bag of rice

9.4 NAD 13 NAD 18 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.50 $0.68 $0.96

Bag of tomatos

3.5 NAD 4.7 NAD 8.8 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.25 $0.46

Bag of apples

6.3 NAD 8.2 NAD 13 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.33 $0.43 $0.71
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Namibia

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

15 NAD 18 NAD 35 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.77 $0.92 $1.8

Average car full tank

88 NAD 120 NAD 230 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $6.2 $12

Average car 1-day rental

88 NAD 120 NAD 180 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $6.2 $9.2

Average car price

44,000 NAD 88,000 NAD 120,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,300 $4,600 $6,200

Bus ticket one way

2.9 NAD 4.4 NAD 8.8 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.15 $0.23 $0.46

Car Service

120 NAD 180 NAD 350 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $9.2 $18
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas for a family in Namibia

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

460 NAD 1,300 NAD 8,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $69 $450

Internet and cable

88 NAD 180 NAD 230 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $9.2 $12

Mobile phone charges

70 NAD 120 NAD 350 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.7 $6.2 $18

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

44 NAD 58 NAD 88 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.1 $4.6

One month gym membership

140 NAD 180 NAD 350 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.4 $9.2 $18
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Namibia

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

100 NAD 150 NAD 220 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.4 $7.7 $12

Woman dress

97 NAD 130 NAD 440 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.1 $7.1 $23

Woman shoes

92 NAD 130 NAD 290 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.9 $6.6 $15

Men's shoes

80 NAD 97 NAD 190 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.2 $5.1 $10

Men suit

88 NAD 110 NAD 580 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $5.8 $31

Regular t-shirt

44 NAD 58 NAD 180 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.1 $9.2
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Namibia

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

1,500 NAD 2,200 NAD 5,800 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$77 $120 $310

1-bedroom apartment

2,200 NAD 3,500 NAD 8,800 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $180 $460

2-bedroom apartment

2,900 NAD 4,400 NAD 12,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $620

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

290,000 NAD 440,000 NAD 880,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $23,000 $46,000

1-bedroom apartment

350,000 NAD 580,000 NAD 2.2M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $31,000 $120,000

2-bedroom apartment

580,000 NAD 1.8M NAD 3.5M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31,000 $92,000 $180,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Namibia

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

1,800 NAD 2,200 NAD 2,900 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$92 $120 $150

Double Bed

1,200 NAD 1,800 NAD 2,200 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $92 $120

Single Bed

1,000 NAD 1,300 NAD 1,800 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$54 $71 $92

Living Room

1,900 NAD 2,500 NAD 8,800 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $130 $460

Dining Table

880 NAD 1,200 NAD 2,200 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$46 $62 $120

Sofa or Couch

1,200 NAD 1,600 NAD 3,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $84 $180
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Namibia

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

1,200 NAD 1,800 NAD 3,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $92 $180

Fridge or Freezer

1,000 NAD 1,600 NAD 2,200 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$54 $84 $120

Washing Machine

1,300 NAD 1,900 NAD 3,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$71 $100 $180

Stove or Cooker

1,300 NAD 1,600 NAD 2,200 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$66 $84 $120

Mobile Phone

1,500 NAD 1,800 NAD 2,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$77 $92 $130

Laptop or Computer

1,600 NAD 1,900 NAD 3,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$84 $100 $180
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Namibia

Family expenditure to income ratio in Namibia

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Namibia

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

88%

81% to 99%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Namibia spend around 88% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 81% of their income while some as high as 99%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Namibia

How do families spend their money in Namibia?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW$160   2,900 NAD
AVERAGE$440   8,400 NAD
HIGH$2,900   55,000 NAD
Per Month

Families in Namibia typically spend from 23% to 38% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 28% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 8,400 NAD with expenditure ranging from 2,900 NAD to 55,000 NAD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 8%)

LOW$24   460 NAD
AVERAGE$69   1,300 NAD
HIGH$450   8,500 NAD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Namibia ranges from 3% to 8% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,300 NAD with 460 NAD and 8,500 NAD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$48   920 NAD
AVERAGE$140   2,600 NAD
HIGH$900   17,000 NAD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 920 NAD to 17,000 NAD in a month on commuting with 2,600 NAD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$87   1,700 NAD
AVERAGE$250   4,700 NAD
HIGH$1,600   31,000 NAD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Namibia is 4,700 NAD. The cost of groceries can range between 1,700 NAD to 31,000 NAD. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$44   830 NAD
AVERAGE$140   2,600 NAD
HIGH$720   14,000 NAD
Per Month

Families in Namibia allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 830 NAD to 14,000 NAD with 2,600 NAD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$24   460 NAD
AVERAGE$69   1,300 NAD
HIGH$450   8,500 NAD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 460 NAD to 8,500 NAD with 1,300 NAD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$68   1,300 NAD
AVERAGE$190   3,700 NAD
HIGH$1,300   24,000 NAD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 3,700 NAD per month with 1,300 NAD being the minimum spent amount and 24,000 NAD being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$39   740 NAD
AVERAGE$110   2,100 NAD
HIGH$720   14,000 NAD
Per Month
Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Namibia

Saving Challenges in Namibia

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Namibia. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later18%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Namibia

Typical saving choices for families in Namibia

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold11%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Namibia

Affordable living in Namibia

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Namibia?


Yes
60%
No
40%

Around 60% of surveyed families think that living in Namibia is affordable with proper budgeting while 40% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Namibia

What percentage of families in Namibia are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
52%
Not Saving
48%

Almost 52% of surveyed families in Namibia said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 48% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Namibia

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 18% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

3,100 NAD
$160
8,700 NAD
$460
57,000 NAD
$3,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 11% to 29% of their monthly income to their savings, with 18% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 8,700 NAD with 3,100 NAD and 57,000 NAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Namibia

Low-cost alternatives in Namibia

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options59%

Few low-cost options41%


Based on the survey, 59% of the families living in Namibia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes60%

No40%


Based on the survey, 40% of the families living in Namibia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 60% said that they do.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Namibia

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Namibia

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

460 NAD 1,300 NAD 8,500 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $69 $450

Internet and cable cost

88 NAD 180 NAD 230 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $9.2 $12

Mobile phone bill and charges

70 NAD 120 NAD 350 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.7 $6.2 $18

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 1,300 NAD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 88 NAD to 230 NAD with 180 NAD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 120 NAD but can range between 70 NAD and 350 NAD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


3% 6% of income 10%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Namibia is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Namibia

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy55%


We asked family guardians and parents in Namibia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 45% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 55% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 36% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 64% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance36%

Easily manages finances64%

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Namibia

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Namibia

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

18 NAD 35 NAD 58 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.92 $1.8 $3.1

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Namibia is approximatly 35 NAD with meal cost ranging from 18 NAD to 58 NAD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

58 NAD 88 NAD 180 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.6 $9.2

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 58 NAD and 180 NAD with 88 NAD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Namibia.

Fine dining meal for one price

120 NAD 180 NAD 700 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $9.2 $37

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 120 NAD to 700 NAD with the average cost being 180 NAD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Namibia.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

15 NAD 23 NAD 35 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.77 $1.2 $1.8

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Namibia is around 23 NAD. Price ranges between 15 NAD and 35 NAD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

12 NAD 14 NAD 18 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.62 $0.74 $0.92

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Namibia is 14 NAD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 18 NAD and the minimum being 12 NAD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

8.8 NAD 12 NAD 18 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.46 $0.62 $0.92

A dozen eggs costs around 12 NAD on average with 8.8 NAD and 18 NAD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

20 NAD 26 NAD 36 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.4 $1.9

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Namibia is between 20 NAD and 36 NAD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 26 NAD.

Pack of beef price

23 NAD 35 NAD 70 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.8 $3.7

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 35 NAD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

9.4 NAD 13 NAD 18 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.50 $0.68 $0.96

A bag of rice in Namibia costs around 13 NAD on average with prices rangeing between 9.4 NAD and 18 NAD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

3.5 NAD 4.7 NAD 8.8 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.25 $0.46

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.5 NAD to 8.8 NAD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

6.3 NAD 8.2 NAD 13 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.33 $0.43 $0.71

A bag of apples costs 8.2 NAD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Namibia is around 26%. This means that families spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 1,700 NAD to 31,000 NAD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

Financial goals and targets of families living in Namibia

Financial goals of families in Namibia

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Namibia, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction35%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle10%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence7%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 35% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Namibia

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Namibia


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
25%
Debt Free
75%

According to the survey, 25% of the families in Namibia have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 75% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Namibia

Debt-to-income ratio in Namibia

Debt to income ratio

29%

21% to 39%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 29% of a family's monthly income in Namibia goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%13%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%17%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Namibia pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Namibia

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan20%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan38%

12% of debtors in Namibia confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 20% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Namibia.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Namibia

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never54%
Once a year22%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Namibia

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Namibia

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Namibia

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,500 NAD 2,200 NAD 5,800 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$77 $120 $310

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,200 NAD 3,500 NAD 8,800 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $180 $460

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,900 NAD 4,400 NAD 12,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $620

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

3,500 NAD 5,800 NAD 16,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $310 $840

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

7,000 NAD 18,000 NAD 35,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $920 $1,800

Townhouse monthly rent cost

5,800 NAD 8,800 NAD 25,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$310 $460 $1,300

House monthly rent cost

7,000 NAD 18,000 NAD 35,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $920 $1,800

Villa monthly rent cost

8,800 NAD 22,000 NAD 35,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$460 $1,200 $1,800

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Namibia ranges between 1,500 NAD and 5,800 NAD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,200 NAD to 8,800 NAD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 2,900 NAD and 12,000 NAD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,500 NAD to 16,000 NAD. The average rent of a townhouse in Namibia is around 8,800 NAD while house rental costs can be as high as 18,000 NAD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 8,800 NAD to 35,000 NAD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Namibia

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

290,000 NAD 440,000 NAD 880,000 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $23,000 $46,000

1-bedroom apartment price

350,000 NAD 580,000 NAD 2.2M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $31,000 $120,000

2-bedroom apartment price

580,000 NAD 1.8M NAD 3.5M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31,000 $92,000 $180,000

3-bedroom apartment price

1.9M NAD 2.9M NAD 8.8M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $150,000 $460,000

Townhouse price

2.5M NAD 5.8M NAD 22M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $310,000 $1.2M

House price

2.9M NAD 18M NAD 25M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $920,000 $1.3M

Villa price

3.5M NAD 19M NAD 29M NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180,000 $1M $1.5M

The average price of a studio apartment in Namibia can range from 290,000 NAD to 880,000 NAD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 350,000 NAD to 2.2M NAD. A villa can cost you 19M NAD on average with prices ranging from 3.5M NAD to 29M NAD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Namibia will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


38 x108 monthly income 205
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Namibia can be x108 to x205 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x108 multiples of the average monthly salary in Namibia.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 31% of income 41%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Namibia is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
29%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.1%
AVERAGE
3.1%
TO
4.1%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


26 NAD 340 NAD 3,400 NAD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

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