πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,009 in Jeffreys Bay versus $1,161 in Pretoria.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,537 in Jeffreys Bay versus $1,768 in Pretoria.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,065 in Jeffreys Bay versus $2,375 in Pretoria.
πLiving in Jeffreys Bay costs roughly 13% less than in Pretoria, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Jeffreys Bay25% lower, Pretoria14% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.76RΒ 93.2
$8.26RΒ 134
-30.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.58RΒ 543
$34.24RΒ 554
-1.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.43RΒ 87.8
$4.67RΒ 75.6
16.27%
Cappuccino
$1.81RΒ 29.23
$2.11RΒ 34.13
-14.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73RΒ 11.73
$1.06RΒ 17.14
-31.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98RΒ 15.92
$0.86RΒ 13.97
13.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.79RΒ 28.94
$2.22RΒ 35.87
-19.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79RΒ 28.99
$2.75RΒ 44.46
-34.91%
π Groceries & Markets
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08RΒ 17.39
$1.20RΒ 19.45
-10.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.94RΒ 15.14
$1.01RΒ 16.38
-6.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70RΒ 27.54
$1.64RΒ 26.47
3.66%
Eggs
$2.73RΒ 44.13
$2.39RΒ 38.70
14.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.84RΒ 94.5
$7.89RΒ 128
-25.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.62RΒ 74.7
$4.68RΒ 75.7
-1.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.02RΒ 113
$6.32RΒ 102
11.08%
Apples(1kg)
$1.91RΒ 30.89
$1.70RΒ 27.43
12.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47RΒ 23.76
$1.54RΒ 24.87
-4.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48RΒ 23.98
$1.60RΒ 25.85
-7.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.65RΒ 26.60
$1.69RΒ 27.35
-2.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38RΒ 22.30
$1.33RΒ 21.42
3.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20RΒ 19.39
$1.20RΒ 19.48
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08RΒ 17.52
$1.08RΒ 17.47
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09RΒ 17.64
$1.13RΒ 18.22
-3.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.83RΒ 45.77
$2.77RΒ 44.75
2.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.68RΒ 59.5
$5.18RΒ 83.8
-28.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.41RΒ 22.84
$1.49RΒ 24.16
-5.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87RΒ 30.30
$1.78RΒ 28.74
5.06%
π Getting Around
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.62RΒ 26.16
$3.23RΒ 52.3
-49.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$64.9RΒ 1,049
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14RΒ 18.36
$1.37RΒ 22.17
-16.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90RΒ 14.53
$1.32RΒ 21.29
-31.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.14RΒ 67.0
$3.15RΒ 51.0
31.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23RΒ 19.89
$1.31RΒ 21.17
-6.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2KRΒ 342.1K
$19.6KRΒ 317.3K
7.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3KRΒ 392.1K
$25.7KRΒ 415.5K
-5.64%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$138RΒ 2,235
$126RΒ 2,035
9.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.1RΒ 907
$37.96RΒ 614
47.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0RΒ 970
$37.60RΒ 608
59.63%
π Sport & Entertainment
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.90RΒ 500
$32.78RΒ 530
-5.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.76RΒ 93.2
$10.48RΒ 169
-45.04%
Cinema Ticket
$6.83RΒ 110
$7.71RΒ 125
-11.41%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$130RΒ 2,096
$195RΒ 3,146
-33.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,426RΒ 71.6K
$4,381RΒ 70.8K
1.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.7RΒ 820
$51.7RΒ 835
-1.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.25RΒ 521
$31.69RΒ 512
1.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.0RΒ 1,423
$89.0RΒ 1,439
-1.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.6RΒ 1,302
$87.7RΒ 1,418
-8.15%
π Accommodation & Living
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$369RΒ 5,970
$399RΒ 6,450
-7.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328RΒ 5,302
$403RΒ 6,515
-18.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$673RΒ 10.9K
$729RΒ 11.8K
-7.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$580RΒ 9,382
$771RΒ 12.5K
-24.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$812RΒ 13.1K
$872RΒ 14.1K
-6.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$780RΒ 12.6K
$695RΒ 11.2K
12.19%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Jeffreys Bay
Pretoria
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,467RΒ 23.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.51
11.69
-1.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jeffreys Bay: June 8, 2026
Last update for Pretoria: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $369 in Jeffreys Bay and $399 in Pretoria. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $34.00 in Jeffreys Bay vs $34.00 in Pretoria for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $174 vs $183 per month, with Jeffreys Bay cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Jeffreys Bay vs Pretoria: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pretoria cheaper than Jeffreys Bay?
Jeffreys Bay is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 15% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,513 in Jeffreys Bay and $1,742 in Pretoria to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Jeffreys Bay and Pretoria?
Rent for a central apartment: $369 in Jeffreys Bay versus $399 in Pretoria. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Jeffreys Bay and Pretoria?
Supermarket bills run roughly 5% higher in Pretoria. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Jeffreys Bay vs Pretoria?
All in, you'll spend $1,009 per month in Jeffreys Bay versus $1,161 in Pretoria β a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Jeffreys Bay or Pretoria?
At $1,009 in Jeffreys Bay versus $1,161 in Pretoria, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Jeffreys Bay but tight or insufficient in Pretoria. The gap between the two cities makes Jeffreys Bay the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Jeffreys Bay or Pretoria?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Jeffreys Bay gentler on the wallet β expenses run 15% less than in Pretoria. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Jeffreys Bay vs other spots: cost of living compared