Cost of Living in Alexandra - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $517 (excluding rent), and $1,000 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,362 (excluding rent), and $2,151 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.47 R 145

$5.08 R 86.8

$25.42 R 434

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.2 R 584

$22.8 R 389

$68.4 R 1,168

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.71 R 80.5

$3.88 R 66.3

$6.1 R 104

Cappuccino

$2.09 R 35.76

$1.13 R 19.35

$3.97 R 67.7

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 R 17.64

$0.8 R 13.63

$1.72 R 29.35

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 R 12.97

$0.54 R 9.2

$1.35 R 22.99

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.26 R 38.67

$1.13 R 19.33

$4.25 R 72.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 R 43.64

$1.7 R 29.09

$4.43 R 75.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 R 20.16

$0.85 R 14.47

$1.98 R 33.77

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 R 17.45

$0.65 R 11.07

$1.32 R 22.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.63 R 27.8

$1.14 R 19.46

$2.39 R 40.83

Eggs

$2.5 R 42.73

$1.37 R 23.47

$4.31 R 73.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.67 R 131

$5.02 R 85.8

$19.54 R 334

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.61 R 78.7

$2.48 R 42.38

$7.34 R 125

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.28 R 107

$4.86 R 83.1

$10.87 R 186

Apples (1kg)

$1.63 R 27.85

$1.11 R 18.9

$2.15 R 36.79

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 R 26.35

$1.09 R 18.62

$2.54 R 43.38

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 R 26.19

$0.74 R 12.66

$3.55 R 60.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.6 R 27.32

$0.99 R 16.93

$2.14 R 36.54

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 R 22.48

$0.55 R 9.4

$3.08 R 52.7

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 R 19.83

$0.55 R 9.33

$2.19 R 37.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 R 17.91

$0.55 R 9.38

$1.37 R 23.44

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.95 R 16.31

$0.64 R 10.99

$1.63 R 27.83

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.77 R 47.37

$2.5 R 42.63

$4.67 R 79.7

Wine (Bottle)

$5.12 R 87.4

$3.22 R 54.9

$11.69 R 200

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 R 22.97

$0.89 R 15.2

$2.55 R 43.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 R 27.42

$0.99 R 16.99

$2.76 R 47.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 R 28.87

$0.69 R 11.72

$1.69 R 28.87

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.1 R 18.75

$0.88 R 15.07

$2.2 R 37.51

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.88 R 15.04

$0.52 R 8.83

$2.25 R 38.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.04 R 51.9

$2.76 R 47.18

$5.53 R 94.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 R 21.02

$1.16 R 19.84

$1.44 R 24.55

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.9K R 322.4K

$17K R 290K

$30.2K R 515.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.6K R 403.8K

$19.4K R 331.4K

$30.8K R 525.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$117 R 1,996

$72 R 1,229

$194 R 3,308

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$37.28 R 637

$13.14 R 224

$83.9 R 1,433

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.84 R 663

$31.32 R 535

$57 R 973

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.85 R 527

$17.82 R 304

$41.73 R 713

Cinema Ticket

$7.19 R 123

$5.53 R 94.5

$11.07 R 189

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$199 R 3,399

$113 R 1,933

$283 R 4,832

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,398 R 75.1K

$2,721 R 46.5K

$8,502 R 145.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.2 R 875

$34.15 R 583

$68.3 R 1,166

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.26 R 551

$12.34 R 211

$67.3 R 1,150

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 R 1,483

$49.92 R 853

$139 R 2,368

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78 R 1,332

$44.43 R 759

$139 R 2,371

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$357 R 6,094

$220 R 3,750

$398 R 6,798

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$334 R 5,696

$252 R 4,303

$448 R 7,650

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$694 R 11.9K

$453 R 7,741

$850 R 14.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$691 R 11.8K

$504 R 8,611

$854 R 14.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$602 R 10.3K

$358 R 6,120

$734 R 12.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,686 R 28.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.51

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Alexandra - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Alexandra, South Africa tends to be more affordable than central Johannesburg, with a mix of smaller apartments, room shares, and casual markets. You will find value in older flats and nearby neighborhoods that still offer easy access to shops and transit. Daily costs for food, transit, and social activities are reasonable when you shop locally and plan short trips rather than relying on rides everywhere. Safety and commute quality vary by pocket, so spend time in a few blocks before settling. Tip: test a week in a couple neighborhoods to gauge noise, safety, and convenience.

The Alexandra, South Africa living cost is flexible enough to accommodate a range of budgets, from room shares to compact flats, with groceries from local markets and casual dining within reach. Housing searches favor neighborhoods with reliable transit links, some security, and proximity to shops. You can save by cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, and choosing longer-term leases if available. In daily life, most errands are doable on foot or by affordable rideshare, and you might find coworking spaces or quiet cafes for work. Tip: map a few routes and test Wi-Fi stability during a trial week.

Quality of life in Alexandra hinges on finding a neighborhood that fits your pace and safety comfort. Use a simple budgeting approach that prioritizes rent and essential groceries, then allows small discretionary spends for social life and wellness. Consider climate: summers can be hot and humid, with cooler evenings offering outdoor markets and strolls. Look for blocks with shade, parks, and walkable amenities, and choose bases near reliable transport links for easy access to job hubs or nightlife. Tip: spend a weekend in a couple streets to sense noise, safety, and vibe before committing.