lesotho

Prices and Cost of Living in Lesotho

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Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Lesotho. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 4.09 EUR to 5.52 EUR

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 4.99 EUR to 6.62 EUR

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 25 July 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Lesotho?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 85.45 ZAR (4.09 EUR) to 115 ZAR (5.52 EUR) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 104 ZAR (4.99 EUR) to 138 ZAR (6.62 EUR) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 25 July 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Lesotho

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Lesotho, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)1.44 EUR
Banana (1kg)1.48 EUR
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)4.37 EUR
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)3.83 EUR
Chicken Fillets (1kg)4.91 EUR
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)4.07 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)1.13 EUR
Eggs (regular) (12)1.20 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)1.32 EUR
Lettuce (1 head)1.23 EUR
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)0.63 EUR
Local Cheese (1kg)5.15 EUR
Milk (regular), (1 liter)0.87 EUR
Onion (1kg)0.98 EUR
Oranges (1kg)1.92 EUR
Potato (1kg)1.23 EUR
Rice (white), (1kg)1.68 EUR
Tomato (1kg)1.92 EUR
Water (1.5 liter bottle)0.65 EUR

Food and beverage prices in Lesotho

Popular food products found on store shelves in Lesotho include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 20.51 ZAR (0.98 EUR) for a kilo of onions to 91.29 ZAR (4.37 EUR) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 35.01 ZAR (1.68 EUR) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 13.17 ZAR (0.63 EUR) per half kilo. Bananas cost 31.01 ZAR (1.48 EUR) per kilo, while apples cost 30.01 ZAR (1.44 EUR) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 13.6 ZAR (0.65 EUR). Dairy prices in Lesotho, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 18.26 ZAR (0.87 EUR), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 108 ZAR (5.15 EUR). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 103 ZAR (4.91 EUR) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 25 ZAR (1.2 EUR), and the average price of tomatoes is 40.01 ZAR (1.92 EUR) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)1.50 EUR
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)1.10 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)1.56 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)1.91 EUR
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)7.18 EUR
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course23.93 EUR
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant8.38 EUR
Water (0.33 liter bottle)0.65 EUR

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Lesotho vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 31.26 ZAR (1.5 EUR), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 23 ZAR (1.1 EUR). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 150 ZAR (7.18 EUR) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 500 ZAR (23.93 EUR). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 175 ZAR (8.38 EUR).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)23.93 EUR
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)0.62 EUR
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)8.62 EUR
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)0.57 EUR
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)0.62 EUR

How much does transportation cost in Lesotho?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 13 ZAR (0.62 EUR), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 500 ZAR (23.93 EUR). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 13 ZAR (0.62 EUR), along with a per-kilometer charge of 12.01 ZAR (0.57 EUR).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L0.94 EUR
Gasoline 1L0.93 EUR

Fuel prices in Lesotho

Average fuel prices in Lesotho are 19.34 ZAR (0.93 EUR) per liter of gasoline and 19.61 ZAR (0.94 EUR) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult25.74 EUR

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre128 EUR
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre67.02 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre343 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre136 EUR

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Lesotho?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Lesotho varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 1400 ZAR (67.02 EUR) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 2667 ZAR (128 EUR) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 6349 ZAR (304 EUR) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre304 EUR
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre412 EUR

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)612 EUR

Hotel Prices in Lesotho

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
8
64.08 EUR
Jate Guest House
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices of products and services in Lesotho. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 06/2025, latest data 07/2025.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs lesotho

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