Pilikwe vs Francistown: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?

Pilikwe is a tough sell for most expats, with an overall score of 42 out of 100 reflecting poor healthcare and limited English proficiency. While the cost of living is low at $384 per month excluding rent, the high crime index of 55 and mediocre safety index of 45 create a persistent sense of unease. The semi-arid climate is bearable with low humidity, but the extreme temperature swings from 40°C in summer to 4°C in winter demand serious wardrobe planning. Unless you are on a shoestring budget and willing to rough it, skip this two-thousand-person town.

Francistown is a genuinely cheap place to live, with a cost of living index of 40/100 and a one-bedroom outside the centre at $280/mo, but the 3-bedroom outside the centre at $550/mo costs more than the city centre at $406/mo, which tells you the rental market here is quirky rather than logical. The 75/100 expat score and 77/100 FIRE score are solid, yet the 53/100 digital nomad score and 20 Mbps internet should warn remote workers that this is not a connectivity paradise. Safety is a real strength at a 72/100 index and 28 crime index, and a $7 restaurant meal keeps daily life affordable. Come for the low costs and quiet pace, not for a large expat scene or fast fibre.