Windhoek 13th most expensive city in Africa

Although Windhoek is ranked among the 20 most expensive cities to live in in Africa, it seems that it has actually become less expensive in comparison to other cities on the continent.

The Numbeo Cost of Living Index this year ranked Namibia’s capital as the 13th most expensive city to live in in Africa, while the 2021 index ranked it at 10th place.

In 2020, Windhoek was ranked fourth on the continent. Last year, the capital was not ranked on the index.

The 10 most expensive cities to live in in Africa, according to the index, are: Senegal’s Dakar, Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa, Ivory Coast’s Abidjan, Zimbabwe’s Harare and South Africa’s Johannesburg, followed by Lagos in Nigeria, Pretoria in South Africa, Gaborone in Botswana, Cape Town in South Africa and Khartoum in Sudan.

Rent comparison

Namibian Sun compared Windhoek with Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town on the Numbeo Index to give an indication of the differences.

The index looks at the relative cost of various categories including rent, groceries, restaurants and local purchasing power.

The study indicated that a person would need at least N$42 000 in Johannesburg to maintain the same standard of living you can have with N$37 300 in Windhoek, assuming you rent in both cities.

In Pretoria, you would need N$39 000 to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with N$37 800 in Windhoek, while in Cape Town it will cost you N$44 000 compared to N$36 900 in Windhoek.

According to the survey, rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Windhoek CBD costs about N$6 388 and about N$5 000 in the suburbs.

In Johannesburg, it will cost N$7 024 to rent in the CBD and N$6 434 in the suburbs, while in Pretoria, it costs N$5 483 and N$5 966 respectively. In Cape Town, you’d have to cough up N$11 835 and N$8 129.

Utilities and more

Besides rent, the monthly cost of utilities in Windhoek for an 85-square metre apartment can cost N$1 590.

In Johannesburg, utilities cost N$1 853, in Pretoria N$1 682 and in Cape Town N$1 274.

Buying a new Volkswagen Golf or an equivalent car would cost about N$ 347 050 in Johannesburg, N$300 000 in Pretoria and N$320 000 in Cape Town, while it costs N$150 000 in Windhoek, the survey said.

Meanwhile, monthly private pre-school or kindergarten for one child in Windhoek will amount to about N$2 124, while in Johannesburg it will cost N$4 012, in Pretoria N$3 836 and in Cape Town N$3 836.

Food

Eating a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two people can cost about N$675 in Windhoek, while an average bottle of wine costs N$60.

In Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, the same meal would cost about N$600 and N$80 for the wine.

In Windhoek, local beer is much cheaper than in Johannesburg and Pretoria at about N$25 for a 500 ml draught, while in the three South African cities it costs between N$35 and N$40.

A plain loaf of white bread costs about N$12.90 in Windhoek, while in Johannesburg it costs N$16.23, in Pretoria N$14.62 and in Cape Town N$17.

According to the survey, products such as milk, fruit and vegetables are much more expensive in Windhoek.

Meanwhile in Giza, Egypt - the cheapest city to live in in Africa - a person would only need N$16 093 to maintain the same standard of life they would have with N$36 000 in Windhoek.