Cost of living in Botswana compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 52% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Botswana is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | P93 ($7) | $21 | - 68% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | P80 ($5.84) | $12 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | P60 ($4.38) | $5.82 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | P20 ($1.46) | $1.11 | + 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | P40 ($2.92) | $5.22 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | P30 ($2.19) | $4.85 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | P80 ($5.84) | $7 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | P35 ($2.56) | $4.28 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | P30 ($2.19) | $2.31 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | P30 ($2.19) | $3.45 | - 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | P80 ($5.84) | $18 | - 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | P25 ($1.83) | $2.91 | - 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | P10 ($0.73) | $3.17 | - 77% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in Botswana is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | P10,975 ($801) | $3,299 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | P6,470 ($472) | $2,471 | - 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | P600 ($44) | $227 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | P11,564 ($844) | $2,273 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | P5,000 ($365) | $1,666 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | P400 ($29) | $172 | - 83% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | P800 ($58) | $63 | - 8% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | P5,000 ($365) | $249 | + 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | P2,500 ($183) | $146 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | P150 ($11) | $15 | - 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | P33 ($2.41) | $34 | - 93% | |
| Clothes | + 48% | |||
| Clothes in Botswana is 48% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | P1,000 ($73) | $58 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | P1,200 ($88) | $50 | + 74% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | P1,500 ($110) | $105 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | P3,000 ($219) | $144 | + 52% | |
| Transportation | - 51% | |||
| Transportation in Botswana is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | P375,383 ($27,405) | $30,907 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | P16 ($1.15) | $0.95 | + 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | P350 ($26) | $87 | - 71% | |
| Personal Care | - 62% | |||
| Personal Care in Botswana is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | P150 ($11) | $9 | + 19% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | P149 ($11) | $21 | - 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | P279 ($20) | $159 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | P33 ($2.40) | $9 | - 73% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | P31 ($2.28) | $5.19 | - 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | P56 ($4.09) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | P20 ($1.49) | $5.10 | - 71% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | P34 ($2.49) | $2.33 | + 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | P61 ($4.47) | $30 | - 85% | |
| Entertainment | - 63% | |||
| Entertainment in Botswana is 63% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Botswana | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | P306 ($22) | $61 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | P215 ($16) | $30 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | P250 ($18) | $212 | - 91% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | P354 ($26) | $104 | - 75% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | P34 ($2.49) | $15 | - 83% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | P46 ($3.38) | $5.83 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | P33 ($2.40) | $8 | - 68% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | P8,500 ($621) | $495 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | P1.80 ($0.13) | $0.54 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | P464 ($34) | $74 | - 54% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | P48 ($3.51) | $11 | - 69% | |
| TOTAL | - 56% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 16,589 prices entered by 2,008 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.07301
USD
/
BWP
Cost of living in Botswana is 56% cheaper than in United States
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