Botswana🇧🇼

At a Glance

How Botswana compares across key indices

Quality of Life155Safety49Healthcare63Affordability31Climate89Clean Air46

Cost of Living

31 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

49/100

Healthcare

63/100

Quality of Life

155/200

Climate

89/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Botswana

Cost of Living

31

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

6

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

30

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

29

100 = NYC dining

City Costs Comparison

Letlhakane

Cheapest

$183/mo

Housing$183

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in Botswana — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

49/100

Crime Index

51/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

77/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime75
Nighttime37

38 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Property crimes
Moderate60
Violent crimes
Moderate55
Corruption & bribery
Moderate51
Drug-related crime
Moderate48

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Home broken into
High66
Things stolen from car
High64
Being mugged or robbed
High61
Being physically attacked
Moderate47
Car stolen
Low43
Being insulted or harassed
Low31
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low15

Based on 86 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Botswana

Botswana has 1 city with Numbeo data. Letlhakane has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $183.

💸Most Affordable

Letlhakane

$183/mo

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Letlhakane$183————

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Botswana

Healthcare Index

63/100

Quality Breakdown

Friendliness & Courtesy70/100
Staff Skill & Competency67/100
Accuracy & Completeness59/100
Speed of Service53/100
Modern Equipment47/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist47/100
Cost Satisfaction75/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 16 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Employer Sponsored
43.8%
Public
25.0%
Private
18.8%
None
12.5%
Healthcare63Safety49Quality of Life155
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Botswana

Pollution Index

46/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Comfortable to Spend Time67/100
Air Quality64/100
Drinking Water Quality61/100
Garbage Disposal54/100
Clean & Tidy51/100
Green Spaces & Parks29/100

Concerns

Water Pollution38/100
Noise & Light Pollution25/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 25 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Botswana

Average One-Way Commute

27minutes

Short

Traffic Index

122

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

93

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

6.3kg/trip

How People Commute

Car82.4%
Walking11.8%
Working from Home5.9%

Based on 17 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Botswana, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Botswana?

Botswana has a cost of living index of 31 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $183 in Letlhakane.

Is Botswana safe for expats?

Botswana has a safety index of 49/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers.

How good is healthcare in Botswana?

Botswana scores 63/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Botswana cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Botswana's cost of living is roughly 69% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 94% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Botswana

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