For one person, living costs in Centurion are estimated at $1,377 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $29 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Centurion actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,377 monthly including rent, or $869 excluding housing.
$1,377 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,224 with rent, or $1,453 without housing.
$2,224 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,071 including rent, or $2,038 for daily expenses alone.
$3,071 /mo
📊
Centurion sits 2–9% above the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 52% above average – among the most expensive in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9KR 591.7K
$35.9KR 591.7K
$36.9KR 607.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1KR 528.7K
$28.0KR 462.1K
$33.4KR 550.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$137R 2,260
$101R 1,671
$179R 2,948
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.65R 505
$18.17R 299
$60.6R 998
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.07R 660
$28.90R 476
$59.7R 984
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.79R 721
$36.24R 597
$48.33R 796
Cinema Ticket
$10.73R 177
$9.20R 151
$12.26R 202
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$314R 5,174
$274R 4,506
$365R 6,009
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,299R 70.8K
$3,863R 63.6K
$4,754R 78.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.5R 965
$39.37R 649
$72.7R 1,197
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.75R 721
$35.79R 590
$53.7R 885
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117R 1,925
$89.9R 1,481
$150R 2,468
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103R 1,699
$91.0R 1,499
$127R 2,099
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$345R 5,689
$213R 3,514
$548R 9,035
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371R 6,115
$331R 5,454
$421R 6,942
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$575R 9,479
$484R 7,982
$666R 11.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$896R 14.8K
$717R 11.8K
$1,075R 17.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$518R 8,536
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$612R 10.1K
$605R 9,969
$619R 10.2K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,342R 38.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.5
8
11.75
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 10, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Centurion$1,377
Centurion$3,071
🏠Accommodation & Living
$371 27%
🍽Eating Out
$248 18%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$225 16.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$208 15.1%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$145 10.5%
🚌Getting Around
$115 8.4%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$65 4.7%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$896 29.2%
🍽Eating Out
$730 23.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$518 16.9%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$239 7.8%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$322 10.5%
🚌Getting Around
$235 7.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$130 * 4.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $345 for a central one-bedroom, or $371 outside the center. At 15% of the average salary ($2,342), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $2,342, while typical expenses reach $1,377. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.
🛒Expect to spend about $225 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $41.00 for two – broadly in line with the African average.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $97.9 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 6th highest average monthly net salary in Africa
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Centurion - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centurion, South Africa a good value for money for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it stack up against nearby areas?
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.
What does day-to-day life look like in Centurion, including housing search, groceries, transport, and coworking options?
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.
How can you balance quality of life and savings in Centurion, including seasonal factors and finding the right neighborhood 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.
What is the average cost of living in Centurion in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Centurion come to around $1,377 including rent, or roughly $869 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
Is Centurion worth the cost of living?
At around $1,377 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.
What is a good salary in Centurion?
Earning $2,066 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Centurion?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Centurion range from $371 to $345, 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.
How expensive is a gym membership in Centurion?
A regular gym membership in Centurion costs around $43.79 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Centurion?
Expect to spend around $225 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.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Centurion?
Living on $1,000 in Centurion means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,377. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Centurion a good city for digital nomads?
Remote workers pick Centurion for good reason: low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, all at about $1,377 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.
Can you save money living in Centurion?
Monthly expenses in Centurion run around $1,377, so putting money aside takes more than $2,066 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.