Capital city in South-East District, Botswana
Cost of living in Gaborone
How much a month costs in Gaborone
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $918–1,550 (P13,000–22,000).
Prices in Gaborone
Typical 2026 ranges in BWP, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | BWP | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | P6,000–11,000 | $424–777 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | P3,500–6,500 | $247–459 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | P250–450 | $18–32 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | P800–1,800 | $57–127 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | P45–85 | $3.2–6.0 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | P150–320 | $11–23 |
| Cappuccino | P30–50 | $2.1–3.5 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | P25–45 | $1.8–3.2 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | P7–10 | $0.49–0.71 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | P60–110 | $4.2–7.8 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | P350–700 | $25–49 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | P100–250 | $7.1–17.7 |
Value for money: 80/100
A value score of 80/100 means Gaborone gives more quality of life per dollar than 79% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 67/100. It's the 3rd most affordable of 3 places we cover in Botswana.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Botswana
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
Cheaper alternatives to Gaborone
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Gaborone?
About $459–742 on a lean budget, $918–1,550 for a comfortable month and $1,980–3,530 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Gaborone?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs P6,000–11,000 ($424–777) a month in the center and P3,500–6,500 ($247–459) outside it.
How much does food cost in Gaborone?
A local meal is P45–85 ($3.2–6.0); a mid-range restaurant is P150–320 ($11–23) per person.
Is Botswana expensive?
Prices in Botswana are about 38% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Gaborone
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Botswana Tourism Organisation
- Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.