Cost Of Living in Namibia 2025

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Namibia

Whether you're living in Namibia or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Namibia is 12,000 NAD. Expenses can range from 1,700 NAD at the minimum level to 79,000 NAD at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Namibia is 20,000 NAD. Expenditure can range from 6,600 NAD to 110,000 NAD per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Namibia is 26,000 NAD per month. Families spend anywhere from 9,200 NAD to 170,000 NAD.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Namibia is 8,700 NAD. Students spend from 1,300 NAD to 58,000 NAD per month.

How do people spend their money in Namibia?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Namibia typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 5,100 NAD with expenditure ranging from 390 NAD to 51,000 NAD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Namibia ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 850 NAD with 66 NAD and 8,500 NAD being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 130 NAD to 17,000 NAD on commuting with 1,700 NAD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Namibia is 4,300 NAD. The cost of groceries can range between 330 NAD to 43,000 NAD. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Namibia allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 92 NAD to 12,000 NAD with 1,200 NAD being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 53 NAD to 6,800 NAD with 680 NAD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,000 NAD per month with 79 NAD being the minimum spent amount and 10,000 NAD being the maximum.

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 residents 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 people 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.

Saving Challenges in Namibia

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

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

Around 6% of the people 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% 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.

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Namibia

Typical saving choices for people in Namibia

Where do people choose to put their savings?

Emergency Funds

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 residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes60%

No40%

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

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 residents of 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 residents 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%

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

Affordable living in Namibia

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Namibia?

Around 60% of surveyed residents 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.

Financial goals of people 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.

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey 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.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Namibia

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Namibia and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Namibia

How much money can you save in Namibia every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Namibia manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 62% of the surveyed people in Namibia said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 38% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Namibia

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 11% to 31% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 19% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 5,700 NAD on average with savings ranging from 440 NAD to 57,000 NAD.

62% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 57% of couples said the same. 52% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Namibia?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 14% to 33% of their monthly income to savings, with 23% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 3,900 NAD with 440 NAD and 26,000 NAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 12% to 32% of their monthly income, with 21% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 6,500 NAD with 2,200 NAD and 35,000 NAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Namibia can save anywhere between 11% to 29% of their monthly income, with 18% being the average for most families. The average 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.

Expenditure to Income Ratio 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.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Namibia is 84% This means that on average, people spend around 84% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

69%

85%

Couple
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

73%

89%

Family
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

81%

99%

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Namibia

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 25% of the people 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.

Debt-to-income ratio in Namibia

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 the people's monthly income in Namibia goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

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

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.

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 residents 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.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Namibia

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.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Namibia

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

100 NAD

710 NAD

4,700 NAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.3

$37

$250

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

260 NAD

890 NAD

5,800 NAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$14

$47

$300

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

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Namibia ranges between 100 NAD and 4,700 NAD with average being 710 NAD, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 890 NAD with 260 NAD and 5,800 NAD being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 1,300 NAD. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and 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

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.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Namibia

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

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Namibia is around 26%. This means that people 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 every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 1,900 NAD per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 270 NAD and 13,000 NAD depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 2,800 NAD per month. That number can be get as low as 920 NAD or a high as 15,000 NAD. 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.

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Namibia

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Namibia

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Namibia