Cost of Living in Brakpan - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $539 (excluding rent), and $907 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,298 (excluding rent), and $1,965 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.76 R 144

$5.17 R 84.8

$17.25 R 283

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.72 R 553

$23.88 R 392

$67.4 R 1,106

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.80 R 78.8

$3.87 R 63.4

$5.52 R 90.6

Cappuccino

$2.06 R 33.70

$1.11 R 18.24

$3.06 R 50.2

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

$0.98 R 16.12

$0.76 R 12.45

$1.63 R 26.81

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 R 13.14

$0.57 R 9.31

$1.42 R 23.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.29 R 37.54

$1.14 R 18.77

$3.15 R 51.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 R 40.46

$1.64 R 26.98

$4.11 R 67.4

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 R 16.90

$0.88 R 14.48

$1.10 R 18.02

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 R 16.53

$0.70 R 11.42

$1.34 R 21.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.11 R 18.24

$0.74 R 12.11

$1.35 R 22.22

Eggs

$2.22 R 36.43

$1.83 R 30.05

$2.52 R 41.29

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.57 R 157

$4.95 R 81.2

$13.34 R 219

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.09 R 67.1

$3.86 R 63.4

$4.42 R 72.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.51 R 107

$4.02 R 65.9

$10.91 R 179

Apples (1kg)

$1.19 R 19.60

$0.57 R 9.30

$1.70 R 27.90

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 R 20.77

$0.85 R 13.96

$1.99 R 32.57

Oranges (1kg)

$1.18 R 19.40

$0.86 R 14.05

$1.43 R 23.41

Tomato (1kg)

$1.29 R 21.23

$1.11 R 18.15

$1.38 R 22.69

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 R 17.88

$0.63 R 10.26

$1.41 R 23.18

Onion (1kg)

$1.14 R 18.78

$0.55 R 9.06

$1.77 R 28.97

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.95 R 15.54

$0.87 R 14.34

$1.10 R 18.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 R 15.34

$0.79 R 13.00

$1.14 R 18.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.89 R 47.42

$3.62 R 59.3

Wine (Bottle)

$4.81 R 78.9

$3.72 R 61.1

$8.07 R 132

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 R 15.44

$0.80 R 13.10

$1.07 R 17.47

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.22 R 19.97

$1.09 R 17.89

$1.42 R 23.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.61 R 26.32

$0.65 R 10.69

$1.61 R 26.32

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.11 R 18.16

$0.89 R 14.59

$2.21 R 36.32

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.89 R 14.62

$0.52 R 8.58

$1.63 R 26.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.01 R 65.8

$2.79 R 45.73

$5.58 R 91.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 R 21.33

$1.26 R 20.66

$1.34 R 22.00

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

$21.6K R 353.7K

$17.6K R 287.9K

$28.4K R 465.4K

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

$23.5K R 384.9K

$19.3K R 315.8K

$30.3K R 496.3K

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

$118 R 1,933

$72.6 R 1,190

$195 R 3,205

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

$35.50 R 582

$13.30 R 218

$67.9 R 1,114

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.10 R 707

$30.98 R 508

$56.8 R 932

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.17 R 511

$18.01 R 295

$42.17 R 692

Cinema Ticket

$6.60 R 108

$4.95 R 81.2

$11.01 R 180

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

$195 R 3,203

$111 R 1,822

$264 R 4,326

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,292 R 70.4K

$2,655 R 43.5K

$7,190 R 117.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.75 R 816

$33.17 R 544

$66.3 R 1,088

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.49 R 533

$12.43 R 204

$50.9 R 834

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.8 R 1,472

$51.0 R 837

$142 R 2,325

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.1 R 1,329

$45.50 R 746

$125 R 2,052

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$364 R 5,969

$224 R 3,673

$406 R 6,658

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$250 R 4,098

$222 R 3,643

$278 R 4,554

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$460 R 7,537

$362 R 5,938

$557 R 9,136

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$532 R 8,724

$440 R 7,220

$715 R 11.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$618 R 10.1K

$435 R 7,140

$698 R 11.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$875 R 14.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.51

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Brakpan Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Brakpan - Frequently Asked Questions

Brakpan offers a practical balance of affordability and convenience for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want easy access to Johannesburg while avoiding the highest city costs. You’ll find a range of rentals, from compact apartments to larger homes, with options that suit modest budgets and some upscale pockets. Public services and basic amenities are reliable, and longer leases can lower monthly rent. Shopping and dining options are varied, allowing you to tailor a budget-friendly routine. Cost of Living in Brakpan remains moderate but varies by neighborhood and access to transit. Tip: map your daily routes to minimize transit time and cost.

Daily life in Brakpan centers on practical routines and accessible link to Johannesburg. For housing, target established suburbs near amenities – look for secure complexes or well-maintained homes with flexible leases. Food options span local markets, casual eateries, and larger supermarkets, letting you mix cooking at home with occasional meals out to manage costs. Transport ranges from car ownership and ride-hailing to limited bus routes; many find a car or bike handy for weekend trips. Brakpan living cost shapes how you shop, cook, and travel, so choose a neighborhood that keeps groceries and transit convenient. Tip: explore coworking spaces with day passes to save on a dedicated office.

Quality of life in Brakpan hinges on neighborhood fit, budgeting discipline, and seasonal shifts in energy and transport needs. Start with a simple framework: fixed costs (rent, utilities, internet) and flexible costs (food, transport, leisure). In warmer months, plan for cooling and hydration; in cooler spells, plan for heating and layering. Look for neighborhoods with easy access to shops, parks, and safety, then compare commute times and walkability rather than rent alone. Small habits – meal planning, bulk buying, and off-peak travel – can add up. Tip: keep a short, practical budget tracker to spot patterns and adjust your routines.