The INE records expenditure structures through the IPC18 and household income and expenditure survey (IDRF). According to the 2015 IDRF, food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for an average of 28.1 percent of per-capita expenditure, housing, water, and electricity for 26.3 percent, and transport for 10.2 percent. An IDRF survey conducted in 2022/23 is documented, but no current detailed evaluation is evidenced; the 2015 figures therefore do not replace a current household calculation. The Consumer Price Index (IPC) measures price changes, not the absolute price level. In December 2025, consumer prices rose by 3.3 percent year on year, food by 5.8 percent, household equipment and household maintenance by 4.6 percent, and hotels and restaurants by 9.9 percent. Transport prices fell by 0.7 percent over the same comparison period. Housing costs include rent, water, electricity, gas, wastewater, maintenance, furnishings, a deposit, and possible connection costs. Common terms include alojamento for accommodation, renda for rent, água for water, electricidade for electricity, gás for gas, and saneamento for wastewater or wastewater disposal. There is no evidenced current nationwide rent index and no uniform monthly household basket. Private rents, rooms or shared houses, and purchases therefore vary greatly by island, city, neighborhood, and tourism setting. The rental agreement, deposit, and utility connection must be checked on a case-by-case basis. Electricity supply is regulated by the Multisectoral Economic Regulatory Agency (ARME); participating providers include EDEC and AEB, with AEB operating on Boa Vista. Electricity costs per kilowatt-hour depend, among other things, on fuel prices. The tariff framework for September through December 2026 is based on the tariffs from August 2026. The Social Electricity Tariff (Tarifa Social de Eletricidade) grants eligible users a full discount on the tariff increase until December 31, 2026; discounts of up to 70 percent are provided for other categories. Water prices depend on the provider and island and are typically calculated for households by consumption tiers of up to 6 m³, over 6 to 10 m³, and over 10 m³. Active water and wastewater tariffs should therefore be checked with the responsible provider, such as AdS or SAS Porto. Food remains the largest individual expenditure category. The budget includes purchases in shops and markets, imported goods, cooking gas, and restaurant visits. The IDRF also distinguishes purchased goods, self-consumption, own supply, and goods received free of charge. Island-specific supply routes and dependence on imports can substantially change prices. For cooking gas, prices from September 1 to 30, 2026 include 403 CVE for a 3-kg cylinder, 848 CVE for 6 kg, 1767 CVE for 12.5 kg, and 7773 CVE for 55 kg. Mobility costs include public buses and Hiace minibuses (Hiaces), inter-island ferries and flights, and private vehicles. Regular urban and interurban public transport is regulated by ARME, but there is no uniform national household charge. From September 1 to 30, 2026, maximum prices are 175.40 CVE per liter of gasoline, 169.40 CVE for regular diesel, 154.80 CVE for diesel used for electricity generation, 135.20 CVE for marine diesel, 189 CVE for kerosene, and 141.30 CVE per kilogram of butane. Domestic flights carry, in addition to the ticket, a 600 CVE service charge and a 150 CVE TSA charge; children under two are exempt. Ferry and flight prices depend on the provider and route. Healthcare costs arise in the National Health Service (SNS) and with private providers. Before examinations and consultations, the SNS may charge moderating fees, the moderating fee (Taxa Moderadora); exceptions apply to certain vulnerable groups, children up to five years old, and family-planning services. A health registration card (Cartão de Inscrição no CUS) and, for children, a child register may be required for classification. Medical evacuation through the Health Board (Junta de Saúde) can create additional travel, accommodation, and escort costs; the available official fee tables contain the exact amounts. Public basic education from first through eighth grade is free and compulsory. No fees are charged there for enrollment, registration, or attendance. Public secondary education from ninth through twelfth grade is generally free of charge but may include certain emoluments. Preschool, private education, and higher-education programs may charge fees, whose amounts depend on the institution and program. FICASE and the Ministry of Education support, depending on eligibility, school meals, transport, learning materials, and social benefits. Higher-education scholarships are handled through program-specific SES or DGES procedures; PEAP may support eligible outstanding tuition fees. Application deadlines and eligibility requirements vary by program. Family budgets depend particularly on household size, children, older people, disabilities, care needs, school attendance, healthcare needs, and access to the island. Preschool and childcare have no evidenced nationwide uniform fee and are determined locally or by the respective provider. Eligible education, meal, and transport assistance can reduce expenses but does not replace checking the specific eligibility requirements. Communication services include CVTelecom, Unitel T+, ED Solutions, AIRTEL Telecomunicações, and Starlink. In the first quarter of 2026, there were 511,702 internet connections; 86 percent were mobile broadband connections for small screens. CVTelecom accounted for 72 percent, Unitel T+ for 27.3 percent, and Starlink for 0.64 percent of the reported shares. The respective provider sets prices for prepaid mobile service, data, fixed-line service, television, and Starlink, while ARME requires transparent tariffs. Leisure costs include restaurants, tourism activities, events, culture, sport, and excursions. There is no official uniform leisure basket; prices depend on the provider, island, and season and are often particularly variable in tourism areas. A household budget should separate fixed expenses such as rent, utility contracts, communication, and education fees from variable expenses such as food, mobility, healthcare, and leisure. Irregular deposits, repairs, school materials, inter-island travel, and possible medical evacuations should also be included in a reserve. Monthly updates using INE price data and ARME notices on electricity, water, fuel, and transport keep the calculation closer to actual costs.
Costs in Cabo Verde
The cost of living in Cabo Verde is determined mainly by food, housing with water and electricity, and transport. Realistic planning depends on the household, island, and urban or tourism setting, because rents, goods prices, supply, and mobility vary considerably. The basic currency is the Cabo-Verde-Escudo (CVE/ECV).
Tip
Always plan your Cabo Verde budget for a specific island, city, and household size; a nationwide average cannot reliably represent rent, utilities, and mobility. Separate regular basic costs from variable expenses and create reserves for deposits, repairs, school materials, travel, and medical evacuation. Use older expenditure shares only for comparison, not as current price levels.