Cost of Living in Centurion - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,392 monthly including rent, or $901 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,276 with rent, or $1,497 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,159 including rent, or $2,093 for daily expenses alone.

Centurion sits 1–8% above the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 47% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.79 R 369

$9.50 R 154

$28.49 R 461

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.30 R 684

$34.47 R 557

$50.1 R 811

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.15 R 99.5

$5.99 R 96.9

$6.31 R 102

Cappuccino

$2.70 R 43.70

$2.18 R 35.25

$3.75 R 60.6

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

$1.04 R 16.81

$0.96 R 15.48

$1.22 R 19.65

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 R 13.68

$0.73 R 11.80

$1.03 R 16.67

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 R 34.42

$1.52 R 24.59

$2.74 R 44.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 R 39.65

$1.84 R 29.74

$4.61 R 74.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 R 20.25

$1.08 R 17.45

$2.52 R 40.82

White Bread (500g)

$1.24 R 20.08

$0.65 R 10.43

$1.52 R 24.50

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 R 34.85

$0.91 R 14.73

$4.87 R 78.7

Eggs

$3.20 R 51.7

$2.00 R 32.26

$3.84 R 62.0

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.32 R 167

$9.26 R 150

$11.34 R 183

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.81 R 110

$4.28 R 69.3

$9.18 R 148

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.55 R 122

$6.32 R 102

$16.42 R 266

Apples (1kg)

$1.92 R 31.09

$1.39 R 22.42

$3.15 R 50.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.85 R 29.90

$1.15 R 18.67

$2.43 R 39.23

Oranges (1kg)

$2.27 R 36.77

$1.27 R 20.54

$3.19 R 51.5

Tomato (1kg)

$2.16 R 34.87

$1.69 R 27.37

$3.00 R 48.55

Potato (1kg)

$1.65 R 26.64

$1.28 R 20.65

$1.92 R 30.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.89 R 30.61

$1.69 R 27.35

$2.00 R 32.40

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.39 R 22.51

$0.95 R 15.28

$1.89 R 30.56

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.50 R 24.19

$0.82 R 13.33

$1.89 R 30.60

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.90 R 63.0

$3.44 R 55.7

$4.34 R 70.1

Wine (Bottle)

$6.25 R 101

$5.01 R 80.9

$7.50 R 121

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 R 26.35

$1.10 R 17.78

$1.83 R 29.52

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 R 35.30

$1.91 R 30.83

$2.54 R 41.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 R 40.67

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$99.6 R 1,610

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.22 R 19.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.23 R 19.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.57 R 155

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.48 R 23.91

$1.32 R 21.27

$1.75 R 28.36

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

$37.1K R 600.4K

$38.1K R 616.2K

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

$32.8K R 530.3K

$28.7K R 463.5K

$34.2K R 552.6K

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

$145 R 2,342

$107 R 1,731

$189 R 3,054

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

$31.56 R 510

$18.71 R 303

$62.4 R 1,008

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.81 R 676

$30.16 R 488

$62.3 R 1,007

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.01 R 728

$37.25 R 602

$49.66 R 803

Cinema Ticket

$10.92 R 177

$9.36 R 151

$12.47 R 202

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

$317 R 5,131

$276 R 4,469

$369 R 5,958

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,455 R 72.0K

$4,004 R 64.7K

$4,928 R 79.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.9 R 985

$40.96 R 662

$75.6 R 1,223

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.13 R 730

$36.93 R 597

$55.4 R 896

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 R 1,919

$91.3 R 1,476

$152 R 2,461

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 R 1,674

$91.4 R 1,477

$128 R 2,068

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$348 R 5,620

$215 R 3,471

$552 R 8,926

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$380 R 6,145

$339 R 5,481

$431 R 6,976

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$586 R 9,467

$493 R 7,972

$678 R 11.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$949 R 15.3K

$759 R 12.3K

$1,139 R 18.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$539 R 8,708

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$627 R 10.1K

$620 R 10.0K

$634 R 10.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,426 R 39.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.5

11.75

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

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $348 for a central one-bedroom, or $380 outside the center. At 14% of the average salary ($2,426), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,426, while typical expenses reach $1,392. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $232 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $42.00 for two – broadly in line with the African average.

Public transport is priced at around $99.6 per month – above the African average of $30.00.

Cost Highlights

Centurion has the 2nd most expensive meal at budget restaurant in Africa

Centurion has the 4th most expensive public transport monthly pass in Africa

Centurion has the 7th highest average monthly net salary in Africa

Centurion Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Centurion - Frequently Asked Questions

Centurion blends affordable living with good access to Pretoria's business areas. You get more space and calmer streets than central urban zones, with a range of housing from secure complexes to standalone homes at reasonable rents relative to city centers. Daily costs for groceries, meals, and transport are manageable if you plan a bit and shop at local markets or discount chains. Co-working options exist, often near shopping hubs, making it easy to work remotely without long commutes. For a quick compare, consider seasonality in heat and rain that affects outdoor activities and utilities usage. Cost of Living in Centurion, South Africa. Tip: Plan ahead with a simple monthly budget and adjust for seasonality.

Day-to-day life in Centurion is straightforward and practical. Start with neighborhoods – secure complexes near amenities or larger yards for a quieter vibe – then search with local agents or online portals; you’ll find a range of rental options and a few newer developments. Groceries and dining span practical discount stores to casual cafés, with weekly farmers markets offering fresh produce. Transport works well by car; rideshares are common, and some routes connect to Pretoria’s business districts. If remote work is your plan, look for coworking spaces near malls or business hubs. Centurion, South Africa living cost is manageable with a simple budgeting approach. Tip: Visit a few neighborhoods at different times of day to gauge fit.

For a good life balance, chunk your budget into housing, utilities, food, and leisure, then set flexible caps. In Centurion, you’ll notice a few neighborhoods fit different vibes – gated complexes near parks vs. close to shopping centers – so pick one that aligns with your daily routines and commute. Save by cooking at home most evenings, using local markets, and choosing midrange coworking spaces with longer terms. Seasonality affects energy use and outdoor activities; plan outdoor work or workouts around heat or rain. Build a lightweight travel plan to explore Pretoria’s options for weekends. Tip: Track recurring costs for streaming, gym, and transit to spot easy savings.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Centurion come to around $1,392 including rent, or roughly $901 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $1,392 monthly all-in, Centurion offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.

Earning $2,088 monthly in Centurion means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Centurion range from $380 to $348, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A regular gym membership in Centurion costs around $45.01 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $232 per month on groceries in Centurion. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.

Living on $1,000 in Centurion means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,392. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Remote workers pick Centurion for good reason: low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, all at about $1,392 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Centurion run around $1,392, so putting money aside takes more than $2,088 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.