Cost of Living in Bloemfontein - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $642 (excluding rent), and $949 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,292 (excluding rent), and $1,966 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.36 R 194

$10.22 R 175

$18.18 R 311

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.43 R 658

$33.91 R 581

$84.8 R 1,451

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.57 R 113

$4.9 R 83.9

$8.25 R 141

Cappuccino

$1.83 R 31.33

$1.15 R 19.71

$2.19 R 37.49

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

$1.35 R 23.07

$0.72 R 12.38

$2.56 R 43.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.9 R 15.44

$0.61 R 10.41

$1.65 R 28.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.33 R 39.85

$0.93 R 15.91

$3.01 R 51.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.3 R 39.32

$1.44 R 24.57

$2.87 R 49.15

Milk (1 liter)

$0.96 R 16.45

$0.82 R 14.1

$1.1 R 18.8

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 R 16.36

$0.44 R 7.59

$1.1 R 18.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.94 R 33.24

$0.83 R 14.25

$2.5 R 42.74

Eggs

$1.99 R 34.02

$1.02 R 17.44

$2.37 R 40.58

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.9 R 118

$5.59 R 95.6

$8.38 R 143

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.61 R 78.9

$2.97 R 50.8

$6.13 R 105

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.96 R 119

$5.12 R 87.7

$7.97 R 136

Apples (1kg)

$1.66 R 28.38

$1.03 R 17.69

$2.01 R 34.34

Banana (1kg)

$1.16 R 19.82

$1.03 R 17.66

$1.91 R 32.65

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 R 25.22

$0.83 R 14.13

$2.48 R 42.38

Tomato (1kg)

$1.33 R 22.83

$0.85 R 14.53

$1.64 R 28.01

Potato (1kg)

$0.89 R 15.28

$0.51 R 8.68

$3.12 R 53.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.65 R 28.22

$0.55 R 9.41

$2.53 R 43.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 R 18.31

$0.68 R 11.68

$1.2 R 20.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 R 15.65

$0.7 R 11.91

$1.05 R 17.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.54 R 43.52

$1.74 R 29.7

$2.94 R 50.3

Wine (Bottle)

$3.96 R 67.8

$2.48 R 42.49

$11.3 R 193

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.51 R 25.88

$1.02 R 17.54

$2.41 R 41.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 R 25.86

$0.79 R 13.54

$1.68 R 28.81

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 R 13.56

$0.76 R 13.05

$0.82 R 14.06

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.1 R 18.78

$0.88 R 15.09

$2.19 R 37.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.67 R 11.51

$0.56 R 9.56

$1.74 R 29.75

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.92 R 67.1

$2.72 R 46.61

$5.45 R 93.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 R 21.21

$1.16 R 19.87

$1.38 R 23.57

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

$22.9K R 392.5K

$11.4K R 194.8K

$34.5K R 590.2K

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

$24.8K R 424K

$15.8K R 271.2K

$33.7K R 576.9K

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

$74.8 R 1,281

$56.1 R 961

$84.2 R 1,441

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

$31.04 R 531

$51.3 R 878

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.76 R 612

$28.23 R 483

$45.16 R 773

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.15 R 499

$19.44 R 333

$38.87 R 665

Cinema Ticket

$5.5 R 94.1

$4.4 R 75.3

$6.59 R 113

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

$126 R 2,155

$112 R 1,916

$140 R 2,395

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,320 R 73.9K

$2,672 R 45.7K

$7,237 R 123.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56 R 959

$44.74 R 766

$78.4 R 1,342

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.58 R 541

$15.79 R 270

$45.11 R 772

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$128 R 2,197

$83.7 R 1,433

$167 R 2,866

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$92.6 R 1,586

$44.91 R 769

$140 R 2,403

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$288 R 4,935

$275 R 4,700

$302 R 5,170

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$293 R 5,011

$251 R 4,295

$335 R 5,726

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$473 R 8,098

$445 R 7,622

$501 R 8,574

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$503 R 8,615

$477 R 8,166

$528 R 9,031

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$456 R 7,813

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$592 R 10.1K

$510 R 8,731

$674 R 11.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,243 R 21.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.47

13.4

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Bloemfontein - Frequently Asked Questions

Bloemfontein tends to offer solid value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want a balanced mix of affordability and comfort. You can find a range of living options, from practical apartments to longer term rentals in quieter neighborhoods, without the premium prices seen in coastal cities. The city also provides essential services, reliable internet in many areas, and a slower pace that makes daily life more affordable. If you are evaluating Cost of Living in Bloemfontein, consider how you will balance housing, food, and transport as you settle in. Tip: Compare a few neighborhoods by walking tours and note what is included in utilities to avoid surprises.

Daily life in Bloemfontein blends practicality with city ease. Housing search centers on central neighborhoods with easy access to shops, clinics, and parks; look for furnished or unfurnished options to match your budget. Food options range from local markets to supermarkets and casual eateries offering affordable meals. Transport can be convenient by car or bike, with ride-hailing common in many parts of town; cycling may work well in milder seasons. For errands, routine services cluster along main corridors. Bloemfontein living cost varies by neighborhood, so map a simple weekly plan to avoid overspending. Tip: build in flexible routes for groceries and errands to save time and money.

Quality of life in Bloemfontein balances outdoor space, cultural options, and straightforward services. A simple budgeting framework works by reserving housing and utilities as a core bucket, then allocating groceries, transport, and leisure. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonal staples at markets, and choosing neighborhoods with easy access to parks, libraries, and coworking spaces. Seasonality influences activity patterns and energy use, with mild stretches ideal for walking and outdoor work. Look for a neighborhood that suits your pace and daily workflow, whether you prefer a lively center or a quieter riverside edge. Tip: test internet reliability and local amenities during a short stay before committing.