Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Swaziland, simply select your home currency and see the difference!
All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020
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Food | Price in E | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
12 eggs dozen, large | 12.50 SZL | |||
1 beer pint in local shops, markets | 7 SZL | |||
1 kg of tomatoes | 8.50 SZL | |||
Full chicken 2kg | 38.75 SZL | |||
1litre 100% fruit juice | 8.50 SZL | |||
1 package of cigarettes imported brands | 25 SZL | |||
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7.50 SZL | |||
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 48.95 SZL | |||
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola | 0.95 SZL | |||
1 Bread loaf standard | 9.50 SZL | |||
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml | 12 SZL | |||
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna | 18.50 SZL | |||
Heinz baked beans 1 tin | 8 SZL | |||
1.5 kg Sugar | 10 SZL | |||
2 liter cooking oil | 20 SZL | |||
Yum-yum noodles per pack | 2.00 SZL | |||
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.50 SZL | |||
1 liter milk | 8.50 SZL | |||
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away | 25 SZL | |||
Housing | ||||
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat | 165 SZL | |||
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month) | 145 SZL | |||
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether) | 58.50 SZL | |||
House Cleaning fee per day | 105 SZL | |||
Large Gas heater price range upwards. | 200 SZL | |||
Original branded Electric Fans | 200 SZL | |||
Original branded Electric kettle. | 120 SZL | |||
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set | 2000 SZL | |||
Single bed Blankets | 120 SZL | |||
Personal Care | ||||
Avon for women and men cologne | 100 SZL | |||
Ladies hair plaiting. | 60 SZL | |||
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons) | 18 SZL | |||
Men's haircut | 40 SZL | |||
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses | 24.50 SZL | |||
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages | 65 SZL | |||
1 month of gym subscription. | 105 SZL | |||
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone) | 90 SZL | |||
Unisex Loris perfume | 30 SZL | |||
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price. | 100 SZL | |||
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards | 1000 SZL | |||
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards | 3000 SZL | |||
Entertainment | ||||
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks | 120 SZL | |||
Go carting 30mins | 120 SZL | |||
Movie House 3d cinema | 30 SZL | |||
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket) | 15 SZL | |||
Photo shoot | 120 SZL | |||
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee | 12.50 SZL | |||
3 course dinner local restaurant two people | 96.50 SZL | |||
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people | 150 SZL | |||
Play station 4 console without games. | 2000 SZL | |||
Spalding Basketball | 200 SZL | |||
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls | 500 SZL | |||
Transportation | ||||
Taxi fare on average 5-10km | 45 SZL | |||
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare | 30 SZL | |||
1 liter petrol/diesel | 6.50 SZL | |||
1 day rent a car cost | 140 SZL | |||
Driver’s license | 2300 SZL | |||
Clothes | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar) | 150 SZL | |||
1 pair of men’s formal shoes | 215 SZL | |||
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 280 SZL | |||
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 135.79 SZL | |||
Ladies formal shoes original and durable | 120 SZL | |||
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance) | 150 SZL |
The cost of living in Swaziland is cheaper than in other countries. The cost of living in the capital, Mbabane is estimated to be 26% cheaper than Johannesburg, 20% cheaper than Gaborone, 2% cheaper than in Blantyre, 70% cheaper than Washington DC. For a single person, the cost of living per month is estimated at SZL 11 955 inclusive of rentals and transport
Frequently asked questions:
Accommodation
Like in most Universities, Students have the option of staying on campus. They can apply for on-campus residence at an added cost on fees paid which is far more affordable than private accommodation. They have access to personal or shared dormitories depending on the institution. University on-campus dormitories are however very limited and so they are given on a first-come-first-served basis.
Shopping and Groceries
The cost of groceries in Swaziland is quite low and affordable. Students can get their basics and essentials affordably at the various malls and grocery stores available around Swaziland.
A simple grocery basket containing rice, bread, milk, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, beef, eggs, drinks, and cooking oil cost about SZL 158.46 .İt is cheaper and more affordable for students to buy ingredients and other provisions and prepare their meals rather than order food or eat out.
Common or popular shops to get groceries from including Pick 'n' Pay, Boxer and Usave. Students are guaranteed to get all their groceries in one place which are quite affordable. Small shops in the townships are also an option and provide convenient services.
Transport
There are several transport modes that Students can use in Swaziland. Students can simply use taxis which cost about SZL 7.90 for a one-way ticket in the city center and about SZL 386.48 for a monthly pass which makes it even cheaper.
Minibusses also popularly known as kombis travel non-stop between destinations. Though they charge more than buses, they are faster to use as they have fixed routes and do not deviate. If you do not intend to hitch a ride with a lot of people, non-sharing taxis are also offered by companies like Mbabane Taxis.
Another option is to rent a car. Students can either rent a car to pick them up and drop them off as and when they need to travel but can also rent a car for a period as long as a month for convenience.
An extra charge is added for drivers who rent and drop off the rented vehicle in a different location. Buses also operate in major cities and their cost depends on the place of travel and distance. Though very unreliable and overcrowded, busses tend to be cheaper than taxis.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance is a necessity when planning to travel to another country. One of the most important reasons why international Students should get insurance is the very high cost of healthcare if they are uninsured and living in another country. Students should consider the type of cover offered by the Insurer (whether full or partial) before getting health insurance.
Bills and Utilities: Basic utilities like water, electricity, heating, and gas cost at about SZL 48.30 per month while voice calls 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local cost SZL 0.99 per minute.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of prices for goods and services for students both in the Swaziland Lilangeni (SZL) and the United States Dollar (US$).
Note: prices may vary depending on the service providers, location, discount deals, and the season.
ITEM | US$ PRICE | SZL PRICE |
Restaurants | ||
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 3.88 | 24.69 |
McMeal at McDonalds | 3.52 | 79.01 |
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | 0.97 | 21.25 |
Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | 1.3 | 21.25 |
Cappuccino | 1.08 | 22.5 |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle) | 0.57 | 16.24 |
Water (0.33 litre bottle) | 0.4 | 16.27 |
MARKET | ||
1 Litre Milk | 0.9 | 62.65 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread | 0.48 | 12.21 |
White Rice(1kg) | 1.23 | 11.65 |
Eggs dozen | 1.24 | 18.15 |
Beef Round (1kg) | 5.01 | $31 |
Tomato (1kg) | 1.13 | 6.06 |
Potato (1kg) | 1.13 | 5.47 |
Onion (1kg) | 1.48 | 10.91 |
TRANSPORT | ||
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 0.38 | 7.9 |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 2.26 | |
Monthly pass | 42.14 | 386.48 |
UTILITIES (Monthly) | ||
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | 0.11 | 0.99 |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 344.99 | |
Basic (electricity, heating, water etc.) | 48.3 | 427.99 |
SPORTS AND LEISURE | ||
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 31.74 | 271.61 |
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 8.64 | 148.15 |
Clothing And Shoes | ||
1 Pair of Jeans | 45.35 | 641.98 |
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes | 53.96 | 493.83 |
Rentals Per Month | ||
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 215.79 | 3361.39 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 166.79 | 2734.81 |
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