Cost Of Living in Windhoek 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Windhoek
Whether you're living in Windhoek 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.
Average Monthly Expenditure19,000 NAD
per month$1,0001,500 NAD $77
$10,000 190,000 NAD
Single13,000 NAD
per month$6904,400 NAD $230
$4,600 87,000 NAD
Couple22,000 NAD
per month$1,1007,300 NAD $380
$6,100 120,000 NAD
Family29,000 NAD
per month$1,50010,000 NAD $540
$8,400 160,000 NAD
Student8,700 NAD
per month$4603,500 NAD $180
$830 16,000 NAD
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Windhoek is 13,000 NAD. Expenses can range from 4,400 NAD at the minimum level to 87,000 NAD at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Windhoek is 22,000 NAD. Expenditure can range from 7,300 NAD to 120,000 NAD per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Windhoek is 29,000 NAD per month. Families spend anywhere from 10,000 NAD to 160,000 NAD.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Windhoek is 8,700 NAD. Students spend from 3,500 NAD to 16,000 NAD per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Windhoek
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
Loaf of bread
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price 44,000 NAD | 88,000 NAD | 120,000 NAD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual 260 NAD | 780 NAD | 5,200 NAD |
Utility Bill - Couple 360 NAD | 1,100 NAD | 5,800 NAD |
Utility Bill - Family 310 NAD | 870 NAD | 4,800 NAD |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment 1,600 NAD | 2,400 NAD | 6,400 NAD |
1-bedroom apartment 2,400 NAD | 3,900 NAD | 9,700 NAD |
2-bedroom apartment 3,200 NAD | 4,800 NAD | 13,000 NAD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment 320,000 NAD | 480,000 NAD | 970,000 NAD |
1-bedroom apartment 390,000 NAD | 640,000 NAD | 2.4M NAD |
2-bedroom apartment 640,000 NAD | 1.9M NAD | 3.9M NAD |
$34,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed 1,800 NAD | 2,200 NAD | 2,900 NAD |
Double Bed 1,200 NAD | 1,800 NAD | 2,200 NAD |
Single Bed 1,000 NAD | 1,400 NAD | 1,800 NAD |
Living Room 2,000 NAD | 2,500 NAD | 8,800 NAD |
Dining Table 880 NAD | 1,200 NAD | 2,200 NAD |
Sofa or Couch 1,200 NAD | 1,600 NAD | 3,500 NAD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set 1,200 NAD | 1,800 NAD | 3,500 NAD |
Fridge or Freezer 1,000 NAD | 1,600 NAD | 2,200 NAD |
Washing Machine 1,400 NAD | 2,000 NAD | 3,500 NAD |
Stove or Cooker 1,300 NAD | 1,600 NAD | 2,200 NAD |
Mobile Phone 1,500 NAD | 1,800 NAD | 2,500 NAD |
Laptop or Computer 1,600 NAD | 2,000 NAD | 3,500 NAD |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Windhoek
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.
Spending to Income Ratio
93%
85% to 100%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
---|
< 50% | 5% |
50% - 60% | 9% |
60% - 70% | 16% |
70% - 80% | 25% |
80% - 90% | 19% |
90% - 100% | 10% |
100% - 110% | 6% |
110% - 120% | 4% |
120% - 130% | 3% |
130% - 140% | 2% |
> 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Windhoek is 93%
This means that on average, people spend around 93% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
84%
Spending-Income-Ratio
77%
94%
Couple
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio
81%
99%
Family
98%
Spending-Income-Ratio
89%
110%
How do people spend their money in Windhoek?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
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 Expenditure24%
24% of total expenses on average (13% to 32%)
LOW | $23 440 NAD |
AVERAGE | $300 5,700 NAD |
HIGH | $3,000 57,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
People living in Windhoek typically spend from 13% to 32% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 24% being the average. The average spend on housing is 5,700 NAD with expenditure ranging from 440 NAD to 57,000 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.
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)
LOW | $3.8 73 NAD |
AVERAGE | $50 940 NAD |
HIGH | $500 9,400 NAD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Windhoek ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 940 NAD with 73 NAD and 9,400 NAD being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
LOW | $7.7 150 NAD |
AVERAGE | $100 1,900 NAD |
HIGH | $1,000 19,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
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 150 NAD to 19,000 NAD on commuting with 1,900 NAD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
LOW | $19 360 NAD |
AVERAGE | $250 4,700 NAD |
HIGH | $2,500 47,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Windhoek is 4,700 NAD. The cost of groceries can range between 360 NAD to 47,000 NAD. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
LOW | $5.4 100 NAD |
AVERAGE | $70 1,300 NAD |
HIGH | $700 13,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
People in Windhoek allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 100 NAD to 13,000 NAD with 1,300 NAD being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 9%)
LOW | $3.1 58 NAD |
AVERAGE | $40 760 NAD |
HIGH | $400 7,600 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 58 NAD to 7,600 NAD with 760 NAD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
LOW | $4.6 87 NAD |
AVERAGE | $60 1,100 NAD |
HIGH | $600 11,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
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 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,100 NAD per month with 87 NAD being the minimum spent amount and 11,000 NAD being the maximum.
Other Expenses13%
13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
LOW | $10 190 NAD |
AVERAGE | $130 2,500 NAD |
HIGH | $1,300 25,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Windhoek 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 Windhoek manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 69% of the surveyed people in Windhoek said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 32% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Windhoek
Group | Savers | Non Savers |
---|
Singles | 69% | 31% |
Couples | 63% | 37% |
Families | 58% | 42% |
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.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
480 NAD $25 | 6,300 NAD $330 | 63,000 NAD $3,300 |
For most people, 12% to 34% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 6,300 NAD on average with savings ranging from 480 NAD to 63,000 NAD.
69% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 63% of couples said the same. 58% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Windhoek?
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.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,400 NAD $76 | 4,300 NAD $230 | 29,000 NAD $1,500 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
---|
0% - 10% | 31% |
10% - 20% | 25% |
20% - 30% | 16% |
30% - 40% | 14% |
40% - 50% | 10% |
> 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 16% to 37% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 4,300 NAD with 1,400 NAD and 29,000 NAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
2,400 NAD $130 | 7,200 NAD $380 | 39,000 NAD $2,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
---|
0% - 10% | 35% |
10% - 20% | 27% |
20% - 30% | 19% |
30% - 40% | 9% |
40% - 50% | 7% |
> 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 13% to 35% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 7,200 NAD with 2,400 NAD and 39,000 NAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
3,400 NAD $180 | 9,600 NAD $510 | 53,000 NAD $2,800 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
---|
0% - 10% | 38% |
10% - 20% | 30% |
20% - 30% | 20% |
30% - 40% | 6% |
40% - 50% | 4% |
> 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Windhoek can save anywhere between 12% to 32% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 9,600 NAD with 3,400 NAD and 53,000 NAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
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.
Affordable living in Windhoek
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Windhoek?
Around 66% of surveyed residents think that living in Windhoek is affordable with proper budgeting while 34% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Windhoek
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 options65%
Few low-cost options35%
Based on the survey, 65% of the people living in Windhoek have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 35% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
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 of Windhoek whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes66%
No34%
Based on the survey, 34% of the people living in Windhoek said that they don't have an emergency fund while 66% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Namibia
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 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 residents of Namibia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the 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%
Financial goals of people in Windhoek
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Windhoek, 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 Fund | 8% |
Debt Reduction | 40% |
Retirement Savings | 10% |
Education Funding | 7% |
Homeownership | 18% |
Investing | 7% |
Travel or Lifestyle | 7% |
Healthcare Expenses | 13% |
Financial Independence | 6% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 40% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 7% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 13% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Windhoek
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Windhoek. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
Reason | % People |
---|
Low Income | 5% |
High Expenses | 8% |
Debt and Loans | 14% |
Lack of Budgeting Skills | 11% |
Impulsive Spending | 11% |
Financial Emergencies | 7% |
Living the moment | 6% |
Will do it later | 20% |
Inflation | 13% |
Social Pressure | 3% |
Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 14% 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. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% 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. 20% 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. 13% 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 societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Windhoek
Where do people choose to put their savings?
Saving Type | % People |
---|
Emergency Funds | 12% |
Gold | 12% |
Savings Accounts | 17% |
Retirement Accounts | 10% |
Cash Savings | 20% |
Real Estate | 9% |
Investment | 5% |
Stocks | 5% |
Bonds | 5% |
Mutual Funds | 2% |
Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Windhoek
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Windhoek and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Namibia 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.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:Age | Amount |
---|
25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Windhoek:Age | Amount |
---|
25 | 50,000 NAD |
30 | 100,000 NAD |
35 | 180,000 NAD |
40 | 250,000 NAD |
45 | 380,000 NAD |
50 | 530,000 NAD |
55 | 630,000 NAD |
60 | 780,000 NAD |
65 | 930,000 NAD |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Windhoek about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
Source | % People |
---|
Pensions | 12% |
Savings | 23% |
Investments | 12% |
Social Security | 7% |
Annuities | 7% |
Part-time Job | 14% |
Real Estate | 18% |
Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Windhoek 3,200 NAD $170 | 9,600 NAD $510 | 64,000 NAD $3,400 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Windhoek
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 28% of the people in Windhoek have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 72% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Windhoek
Debt to income ratio
32%
23% to 43%
( 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 32% of the people's monthly income in Windhoek goes to debt settlement.
Debt levels23>Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
> 60% | 3% |
50% - 60% | 17% |
40% - 50% | 14% |
30% - 40% | 16% |
20% - 30% | 11% |
10% - 20% | 13% |
0% - 10% | 26% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Windhoek pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 17% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 11% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Windhoek
Debt | % People |
Real Estate Mortgage | 9% |
Auto Loan | 17% |
Student Loan | 4% |
Credit Card | 29% |
Personal Loan | 42% |
9% of debtors in Windhoek confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 29% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 17% of people and personal loans rose at 42%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Windhoek.
About credit score and debt managementManaging 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 Windhoek
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Windhoek 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 |
Never | 51% |
Once a year | 23% |
Twice a year | 12% |
Three times a year | 9% |
Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Windhoek
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Windhoek
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment 1,600 NAD | 2,400 NAD | 6,400 NAD |
1-bedroom apartment 2,400 NAD | 3,900 NAD | 9,700 NAD |
2-bedroom apartment 3,200 NAD | 4,800 NAD | 13,000 NAD |
3-bedroom apartment 3,900 NAD | 6,400 NAD | 18,000 NAD |
Furnished apartment 7,700 NAD | 19,000 NAD | 39,000 NAD |
Townhouse 6,400 NAD | 9,700 NAD | 28,000 NAD |
House 7,700 NAD | 19,000 NAD | 39,000 NAD |
Villa 9,700 NAD | 24,000 NAD | 39,000 NAD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Windhoek ranges between 1,600 NAD and 6,400 NAD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,400 NAD to 9,700 NAD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,200 NAD and 13,000 NAD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 3,900 NAD to 18,000 NAD. The average rent of a townhouse in Windhoek is around 9,700 NAD while house rental costs can be as high as 19,000 NAD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 9,700 NAD to 39,000 NAD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Windhoek
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment 320,000 NAD | 480,000 NAD | 970,000 NAD |
1-bedroom apartment 390,000 NAD | 640,000 NAD | 2.4M NAD |
2-bedroom apartment 640,000 NAD | 1.9M NAD | 3.9M NAD |
$34,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
3-bedroom apartment 2.1M NAD | 3.2M NAD | 9.7M NAD |
$110,000 | $170,000 | $510,000 |
Townhouse 2.8M NAD | 6.4M NAD | 24M NAD |
House
Villa The average price of a studio apartment in Windhoek can range from 320,000 NAD to 970,000 NAD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 390,000 NAD to 2.4M NAD. A villa can cost you 21M NAD on average with prices ranging from 3.9M NAD to 32M NAD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Windhoek 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
42 | x119 monthly income | 227 |
Property prices in Windhoek can be x119 to x227 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x119 multiples of the average monthly salary in Windhoek.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Windhoek is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 45% 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
32% 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.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Windhoek
Housing30%
30% of total expenses on average (18% to 42%)
LOW | $83 1,600 NAD |
AVERAGE | $250 4,700 NAD |
HIGH | $1,700 31,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water8%
8% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)
LOW | $14 260 NAD |
AVERAGE | $41 780 NAD |
HIGH | $280 5,200 NAD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
LOW | $18 350 NAD |
AVERAGE | $55 1,000 NAD |
HIGH | $370 7,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
LOW | $37 700 NAD |
AVERAGE | $110 2,100 NAD |
HIGH | $730 14,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare12%
12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)
LOW | $21 390 NAD |
AVERAGE | $62 1,200 NAD |
HIGH | $410 7,800 NAD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
LOW | $11 220 NAD |
AVERAGE | $34 650 NAD |
HIGH | $230 4,400 NAD |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
LOW | $4.6 87 NAD |
AVERAGE | $14 260 NAD |
HIGH | $92 1,700 NAD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses21%
21% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
LOW | $41 780 NAD |
AVERAGE | $120 2,400 NAD |
HIGH | $830 16,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Windhoek
Housing27%
27% of total expenses on average (20% to 37%)
LOW | $130 2,400 NAD |
AVERAGE | $380 7,200 NAD |
HIGH | $2,000 38,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $19 360 NAD |
AVERAGE | $57 1,100 NAD |
HIGH | $310 5,800 NAD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel9%
9% of total expenses on average (3% to 14%)
LOW | $46 870 NAD |
AVERAGE | $140 2,600 NAD |
HIGH | $730 14,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 22%)
LOW | $54 1,000 NAD |
AVERAGE | $160 3,100 NAD |
HIGH | $860 16,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare14%
14% of total expenses on average (8% to 18%)
LOW | $42 800 NAD |
AVERAGE | $130 2,400 NAD |
HIGH | $670 13,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)
LOW | $23 440 NAD |
AVERAGE | $69 1,300 NAD |
HIGH | $370 7,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Education1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
LOW | $7.7 150 NAD |
AVERAGE | $23 440 NAD |
HIGH | $120 2,300 NAD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
LOW | $65 1,200 NAD |
AVERAGE | $200 3,700 NAD |
HIGH | $1,000 20,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Windhoek
Housing26%
26% of total expenses on average (21% to 36%)
LOW | $170 3,300 NAD |
AVERAGE | $490 9,300 NAD |
HIGH | $2,700 51,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
LOW | $43 810 NAD |
AVERAGE | $120 2,300 NAD |
HIGH | $670 13,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries21%
21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)
LOW | $96 1,800 NAD |
AVERAGE | $280 5,200 NAD |
HIGH | $1,500 29,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)
LOW | $43 810 NAD |
AVERAGE | $120 2,300 NAD |
HIGH | $670 13,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (1% to 7%)
LOW | $27 510 NAD |
AVERAGE | $77 1,500 NAD |
HIGH | $420 8,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Education13%
13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)
LOW | $75 1,400 NAD |
AVERAGE | $210 4,100 NAD |
HIGH | $1,200 22,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses15%
15% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
LOW | $64 1,200 NAD |
AVERAGE | $180 3,500 NAD |
HIGH | $1,000 19,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Windhoek
Housing18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
LOW | $44 840 NAD |
AVERAGE | $110 2,100 NAD |
HIGH | $200 3,800 NAD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
LOW | $7.3 140 NAD |
AVERAGE | $18 350 NAD |
HIGH | $33 630 NAD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
LOW | $13 240 NAD |
AVERAGE | $32 610 NAD |
HIGH | $58 1,100 NAD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
LOW | $37 700 NAD |
AVERAGE | $92 1,700 NAD |
HIGH | $170 3,100 NAD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
LOW | $11 210 NAD |
AVERAGE | $28 520 NAD |
HIGH | $50 940 NAD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
LOW | $9.2 170 NAD |
AVERAGE | $23 440 NAD |
HIGH | $41 780 NAD |
| Per Month |
Education18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
LOW | $35 660 NAD |
AVERAGE | $87 1,700 NAD |
HIGH | $160 3,000 NAD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
LOW | $28 520 NAD |
AVERAGE | $69 1,300 NAD |
HIGH | $120 2,400 NAD |
| Per Month |