Cost of Living in East London - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $641 (excluding rent), and $1,085 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,444 (excluding rent), and $2,136 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.56 R 112

$4.37 R 74.9

$9.84 R 168

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.72 R 526

$25.14 R 430

$44.69 R 765

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.5 R 77

$5.06 R 86.7

Cappuccino

$2.03 R 34.76

$1.1 R 18.81

$2.75 R 47.01

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

$1.01 R 17.23

$0.7 R 11.9

$1.74 R 29.85

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.87 R 14.92

$0.47 R 7.99

$1.63 R 27.89

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.54 R 43.41

$1.97 R 33.77

$3.38 R 57.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.15 R 53.9

$2.29 R 39.22

$5.16 R 88.3

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 R 17.53

$0.74 R 12.64

$1.21 R 20.73

White Bread (500g)

$0.9 R 15.39

$0.68 R 11.68

$1.16 R 19.82

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2 R 34.31

$1.28 R 21.91

$3.12 R 53.3

Eggs

$2.05 R 35.02

$1.06 R 18.18

$2.97 R 50.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.35 R 160

$6.74 R 115

$11.23 R 192

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.14 R 70.9

$2.78 R 47.57

$7.23 R 124

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.47 R 128

$5.54 R 94.8

$10.53 R 180

Apples (1kg)

$1.51 R 25.8

$0.82 R 13.98

$1.74 R 29.79

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 R 36.97

$0.92 R 15.77

$2.53 R 43.28

Oranges (1kg)

$1.42 R 24.27

$0.69 R 11.79

$2.05 R 35.02

Tomato (1kg)

$1.48 R 25.37

$0.98 R 16.74

$1.84 R 31.54

Potato (1kg)

$1.5 R 25.65

$0.55 R 9.39

$2.58 R 44.09

Onion (1kg)

$1.5 R 25.67

$1.38 R 23.56

$1.73 R 29.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 R 18.18

$0.89 R 15.15

$1.27 R 21.72

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 R 15.63

$0.69 R 11.9

$1.16 R 19.89

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.76 R 47.18

$2.58 R 44.2

$2.87 R 49.11

Wine (Bottle)

$4.57 R 78.2

$3.72 R 63.7

$5.72 R 97.9

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 R 30.36

$0.95 R 16.23

$2.85 R 48.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 R 43.75

$0.88 R 15.09

$3.33 R 57

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 R 11.48

$0.64 R 10.99

$1.34 R 22.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.3 R 365

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.11 R 18.93

$0.89 R 15.21

$2.21 R 37.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.93 R 15.96

$0.55 R 9.37

$1.7 R 29.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.92 R 67.1

$2.72 R 46.59

$5.44 R 93.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 R 21.05

$1.16 R 19.88

$1.26 R 21.56

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

$36.1K R 618.8K

$15.6K R 266.6K

$38K R 649.9K

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

$22.1K R 379.1K

$18.2K R 311.4K

$24K R 411K

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

$197 R 3,368

$144 R 2,469

$250 R 4,273

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

$30.95 R 530

$22.72 R 389

$30.95 R 530

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.97 R 753

$38.37 R 657

$55 R 942

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.77 R 578

$19.71 R 337

$45 R 770

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.41 R 24.22

Cinema Ticket

$3.69 R 63.1

$3.4 R 58.3

$4.82 R 82.5

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

$117 R 1,997

$46.84 R 802

$220 R 3,774

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,255 R 72.8K

$3,404 R 58.3K

$5,107 R 87.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.1 R 909

$28.34 R 485

$68 R 1,164

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.36 R 485

$24.72 R 423

$32.95 R 564

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 R 1,839

$67.9 R 1,162

$141 R 2,420

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.7 R 1,466

$72.6 R 1,243

$101 R 1,722

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$265 R 4,542

$223 R 3,824

$307 R 5,259

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$294 R 5,032

$196 R 3,355

$392 R 6,709

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$495 R 8,467

$440 R 7,526

$824 R 14.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$550 R 9,421

$390 R 6,678

$836 R 14.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,570 R 26.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update: November 25, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in East London - Frequently Asked Questions

For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, East London offers a balanced, approachable backdrop with coastal charm. The Cost of Living in East London, South Africa tends to be more approachable than bigger metros, with a range of housing options near beaches and city centers. You’ll find affordable basics, while dining and entertainment can scale with your choices. Public transport is practical, though you may rely on rideshares or a car for wider suburbs. Seasons influence activities more than prices, with sunny summers and mild shoulder seasons. Neighborhoods vary from coastal flats to inland family streets, so you can tailor your base to your pace. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods before committing to a longer lease.

Daily life in East London revolves around practical budgeting for housing, food, transport, and coworking. Housing options range from coastal flats to inland townhouses found through local listings or agents, with proximity to beaches, malls, and work hubs shaping feel and price. Food is diverse, with markets and casual eateries offering value, while cooking at home helps stretch your budget. Transport includes buses and minibus taxis, with rideshares as a backup for late nights or trips beyond walkable routes. There are growing coworking spaces near the CBD and beachfront corridors. East London, South Africa living cost informs how you pace your search. Tip: Build a simple weekly plan and track where you spend.

Quality of life in East London comes from choosing the right mix of pace, space, and practical routines. Use a light budgeting framework that covers housing, groceries, transport, utilities, and leisure, then adjust with the seasons as crowds shift patterns more than prices. For neighborhood fit, balance beach access with daily needs – coastal areas for outdoors and quiet inland streets for longer work sessions or family life. Practical moves include negotiating longer leases when possible, shopping at farmers markets, cycling or using public transit to keep costs reasonable, and joining local groups to build routine and networks. Tip: Start with a small, neighborhood trial before committing long-term.