MigrantoCost of living in Botswana
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Botswana
Spending runs from BWP 835 a month in the poorest fifth to BWP 13,400 in the richest
Per person, whole country
BWP 2,530
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
BWP 835richest 20%
BWP 13,400
Where people spend money in Botswana
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Botswana in numbers
Housing takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 9.4% of spending here, or BWP 237 a month, against 18.4% in a typical country, 9 points less.
The richest fifth spends 16× the poorest
Spending runs from BWP 835 a month in the poorest fifth to BWP 13,400 in the richest, which is #5 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
Typical spending takes 39% of the average wage
A typical person spends BWP 2,530 a month while the average take-home wage is BWP 6,540, so 61% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Botswana compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Botswana against other countries
Cheaper than 63% of countries
Where Botswana sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs BWP 13,900 at world-middle prices costs BWP 12,300 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2020 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Botswana
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Cost of living in Botswana
BWP 835/mo
vs BWP 11,100 in your country
Take-home
BWP 3,880
vs BWP 16,700 in your country
Potential savings
BWP 3,050
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Botswana?
A typical person in Botswana spends about BWP 2,530 a month — around BWP 30,400 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Botswana?
By spending, Botswana ranks #131 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about BWP 2,530 a month, the poorest 20% about BWP 835 and the richest 20% about BWP 13,400. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Botswana in US dollars?
The cost of living in Botswana is about $182 a month, or roughly $2,184 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Botswana?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about BWP 835 a month per person, a typical one around BWP 2,530, and a comfortable life around BWP 4,260. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Botswana?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about BWP 710 a month (28% of spending). Then come transport (BWP 264, 10%) and housing (BWP 237, 9%).
Is the average salary in Botswana enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about BWP 2,530 a month, while the average take-home pay in Botswana is about BWP 6,540. For more on incomes, see salaries in Botswana.
Is Botswana an expensive country to live in?
No. Botswana is more expensive than 29% of countries worldwide and ranks 13th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
What currency is used in Botswana?
Botswana uses the Botswanan Pula (BWP). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Botswana
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