Lesotho🇱🇸
At a Glance
How Lesotho compares across key indices
Cost of Living
33 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
39/100
Healthcare
26/100
Quality of Life
52/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Lesotho
Cost of Living
33
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
25
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
33
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
35
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Higher RiskHow safe residents feel in Lesotho - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
39/100
Crime Index
100/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Lesotho
Lesotho has 11 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $663 in Mohale's Hoek to $821 in Maseru. Mohale's Hoek leads on safety, scoring 43/100. Mohale's Hoek ranks highest for quality of life at 59/200.
Mohale's Hoek
$663/mo
Mohale's Hoek
43/100
Mohale's Hoek
59/200
Maseru
33/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maseru | $821 | 37/100 | 57/200 | 33/100 | 50 |
| Maputsoe | $671 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 40 |
| Mohale's Hoek | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Mafeteng | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Hlotse | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Butha-Buthe | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Mabote | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Quthing | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Teyateyaneng | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Qacha’s Nek | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
| Thaba-Tseka | $663 | 43/100 | 59/200 | 22/100 | 39 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Lesotho
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Lesotho
Pollution Index
47/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
23.4ug/m3
Moderate
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Lesotho, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Lesotho?
Lesotho has a cost of living index of 33 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $821 in Maseru.
Is Lesotho safe for expats?
Lesotho has a safety index of 39/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Maseru scores highest on safety at 37/100.
What is the best city in Lesotho for expats and digital nomads?
Maseru ranks highest for quality of life in Lesotho, scoring 57/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $821/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Lesotho?
Lesotho scores 26/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it limited in some areas by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Lesotho cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Lesotho's cost of living is roughly 67% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 75% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Lesotho
Plan Your Move
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Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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