Namibia vs South Africa
South Africa costs roughly 5% less than Namibia, though Namibia scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
South Africa is approximately 5% less expensive than Namibia based on cost of living including rent. This makes South Africa a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
South Africa has a FIRE Score of 92/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 25.3, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: South Africa is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Namibia
Safety is the real concern here: a 44.3 safety index and crime score of 61.2 mean this is not a low-stress retirement pick. Remote workers earning above the $2,000/mo digital nomad visa threshold should look past that, given rent as low as $377/mo outside the center. Quality of life scores a solid 104.1, but healthcare considerations are worth weighing first.
$1,823/mo
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About South Africa
Safety is the dealbreaker: a 25.3 safety index puts South Africa firmly in caution territory, with the advisory level of 2 underscoring that. Retirees on fixed budgets should look past this for the math: $2,050/mo qualifies for the retirement visa, while rent runs under $500/mo in city centers. Low cost, low safety, weigh accordingly.
$1,873/mo
Not sure which South Africa visa you qualify for?
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Namibia | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 104.1 | 152.4 +48.3 |
| Healthcare Index | 43.7 | 63.8 +20.1 |
| Safety Index | 44.3 +19.0 | 25.3 |
| Cost of Living Index | 31.46 | 30 +1.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $644.5 +0.5 | $645 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,304.9 | $2,299.6 +5.3 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $532.8 | $481.66 +51.14 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $377.15 +12.32 | $389.47 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,272.89 | $974.15 +298.74 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $884.03 | $757.4 +126.63 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 28.87 Mbps | 48.31 Mbps +19.4 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in South Africa. File confidently from abroad.
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Get a quote →Explore South Africa
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