Cost of living in Botswana compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 56% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Botswana is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | P89 ($7) | $19 | - 65% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | P70 ($5.10) | $10 | - 49% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | P26 ($1.91) | $5.76 | - 67% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | P21 ($1.56) | $1.08 | + 45% | |
12 eggs, large | P36 ($2.64) | $4.94 | - 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | P20 ($1.47) | $4.68 | - 69% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | P42 ($3.06) | $7 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | P17 ($1.23) | $4.67 | - 74% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | P27 ($1.95) | $2.49 | - 22% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | P23 ($1.69) | $3.11 | - 46% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | P77 ($5.64) | $16 | - 65% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | P23 ($1.69) | $2.77 | - 39% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | P14 ($1.02) | $2.98 | - 66% | |
Housing | - 70% | |||
Housing in Botswana is 70% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | P5,000 ($366) | $2,824 | - 87% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | P7,000 ($513) | $2,138 | - 76% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | P639 ($47) | $220 | - 79% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | P9,000 ($659) | $1,886 | - 65% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | P7,500 ($549) | $1,441 | - 62% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | P483 ($35) | $146 | - 76% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | P531 ($39) | $64 | - 39% | |
40” flat screen tv | P3,782 ($277) | $295 | - 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | P1,578 ($116) | $133 | - 13% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | P76 ($5.54) | $14 | - 59% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | P50 ($3.66) | $31 | - 88% | |
Clothes | - 36% | |||
Clothes in Botswana is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | P461 ($34) | $54 | - 37% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | P336 ($25) | $45 | - 45% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | P959 ($70) | $93 | - 25% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | P1,513 ($111) | $119 | - 7% | |
Transportation | - 13% | |||
Transportation in Botswana is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | P200,000 ($14,652) | $27,943 | - 48% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | P16 ($1.17) | $1.05 | + 12% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | P1,000 ($73) | $79 | - 7% | |
Personal Care | - 64% | |||
Personal Care in Botswana is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | P150 ($11) | $8 | + 34% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | P70 ($5.10) | $21 | - 76% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | P209 ($15) | $140 | - 89% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | P28 ($2.05) | $8 | - 76% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | P29 ($2.11) | $4.80 | - 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | P35 ($2.55) | $6 | - 59% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | P31 ($2.26) | $4.72 | - 52% | |
Tube of toothpaste | P20 ($1.47) | $2.25 | - 35% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | P89 ($7) | $27 | - 76% | |
Entertainment | - 58% | |||
Entertainment in Botswana is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | P270 ($20) | $55 | - 64% | |
2 tickets to the movies | P261 ($19) | $28 | - 31% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | P250 ($18) | $203 | - 91% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | P256 ($19) | $89 | - 79% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | P51 ($3.76) | $14 | - 72% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | P37 ($2.71) | $5.21 | - 48% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | P28 ($2.05) | $6 | - 67% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | P800 ($59) | $556 | - 89% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | P2.52 ($0.18) | $0.21 | - 12% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | P509 ($37) | $54 | - 32% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | P55 ($4.04) | $10 | - 60% | |
TOTAL | - 51% |

These prices were last updated on June 06, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.07326
USD
/
BWP
Cost of living in Botswana is 51% cheaper than in United States
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