
Prices and Cost of Living in Lesotho
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.
Cheapest products
Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.
from 17.29 PLN to 23.35 PLN
Mid-range products
Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.
from 21.13 PLN to 28.01 PLN
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 5 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 84.53 ZAR (17.29 PLN) to 114 ZAR (23.35 PLN) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 103 ZAR (21.13 PLN) to 137 ZAR (28.01 PLN) 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: 5 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) | 6.14 PLN |
Banana (1kg) | 6.34 PLN |
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 18.67 PLN |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 16.36 PLN |
Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 20.97 PLN |
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 17.39 PLN |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 4.82 PLN |
Eggs (regular) (12) | 5.11 PLN |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 5.63 PLN |
Lettuce (1 head) | 5.25 PLN |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.69 PLN |
Local Cheese (1kg) | 22.00 PLN |
Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 3.73 PLN |
Onion (1kg) | 4.20 PLN |
Oranges (1kg) | 8.18 PLN |
Potato (1kg) | 5.27 PLN |
Rice (white), (1kg) | 7.16 PLN |
Tomato (1kg) | 8.18 PLN |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 2.78 PLN |
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 (4.2 PLN) for a kilo of onions to 91.29 ZAR (18.67 PLN) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 35.01 ZAR (7.16 PLN) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 13.17 ZAR (2.69 PLN) per half kilo. Bananas cost 31.01 ZAR (6.34 PLN) per kilo, while apples cost 30.01 ZAR (6.14 PLN) per kilo.
Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 13.6 ZAR (2.78 PLN). Dairy prices in Lesotho, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 18.26 ZAR (3.73 PLN), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 108 ZAR (22 PLN). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 103 ZAR (20.97 PLN) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 25 ZAR (5.11 PLN), and the average price of tomatoes is 40.01 ZAR (8.18 PLN) per kilo.
Restaurant Prices
Cappuccino (regular) | 6.39 PLN |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.70 PLN |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 6.65 PLN |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 8.18 PLN |
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 30.68 PLN |
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 102 PLN |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 35.80 PLN |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.80 PLN |
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 (6.39 PLN), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 23 ZAR (4.7 PLN). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 150 ZAR (30.68 PLN) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 500 ZAR (102 PLN). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 175 ZAR (35.8 PLN).
Public Transportation Prices
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 102 PLN |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.66 PLN |
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 36.82 PLN |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 2.46 PLN |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 2.66 PLN |
How much does transportation cost in Lesotho?
The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 13 ZAR (2.66 PLN), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 500 ZAR (102 PLN). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 13 ZAR (2.66 PLN), along with a per-kilometer charge of 12.01 ZAR (2.46 PLN).
Fuel Prices
Diesel 1L | 3.97 PLN |
Gasoline 1L | 3.91 PLN |
Fuel prices in Lesotho
Average fuel prices in Lesotho are 19.13 ZAR (3.91 PLN) per liter of gasoline and 19.39 ZAR (3.97 PLN) per liter of diesel.
Entertainment Prices
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 110 PLN |
Apartment Rental Prices
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 546 PLN |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 286 PLN |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1 467 PLN |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 580 PLN |
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 (286 PLN) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 2667 ZAR (546 PLN) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 6349 ZAR (1299 PLN) per square meter.
Apartment Buying Prices
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1 299 PLN |
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 1 758 PLN |
Average Salary
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 2 614 PLN |
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.
• 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.
