Cost of Living in George - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $597 (excluding rent), and $1,081 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,493 (excluding rent), and $2,415 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.27 R 181

$4.79 R 77.1

$16.91 R 272

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$38.05 R 613

$22.55 R 363

$56.4 R 908

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.12 R 82.4

$4.27 R 68.7

$5.12 R 82.4

Cappuccino

$1.91 R 30.82

$1.65 R 26.55

$2.20 R 35.40

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

$1.52 R 24.41

$1.27 R 20.45

$1.76 R 28.37

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.15 R 18.59

$0.76 R 12.29

$1.64 R 26.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.58 R 41.54

$1.26 R 20.27

$3.15 R 50.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 R 46.11

$2.12 R 34.19

$3.55 R 57.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.16 R 18.66

$0.97 R 15.68

$1.61 R 25.92

White Bread (500g)

$1.10 R 17.74

$0.68 R 11.01

$1.60 R 25.79

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 R 25.81

$1.55 R 25.01

$1.66 R 26.76

Eggs

$2.92 R 47.07

$1.58 R 25.40

$5.41 R 87.0

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.76 R 157

$4.94 R 79.6

$13.78 R 222

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.80 R 77.2

$4.45 R 71.6

$5.00 R 80.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.49 R 121

$5.55 R 89.4

$9.99 R 161

Apples (1kg)

$1.83 R 29.49

$0.85 R 13.69

$1.98 R 31.93

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 R 26.75

$1.07 R 17.29

$2.27 R 36.53

Oranges (1kg)

$1.37 R 22.01

$0.65 R 10.53

$1.37 R 22.01

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 R 25.49

$1.02 R 16.40

$2.15 R 34.59

Potato (1kg)

$1.59 R 25.58

$1.04 R 16.67

$1.72 R 27.72

Onion (1kg)

$1.75 R 28.17

$1.42 R 22.93

$1.82 R 29.32

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.29 R 20.79

$1.10 R 17.78

$1.38 R 22.22

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 R 14.67

$0.66 R 10.57

$1.10 R 17.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.13 R 50.3

$3.69 R 59.5

Wine (Bottle)

$4.89 R 78.7

$3.66 R 59.0

$10.39 R 167

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 R 18.54

$0.55 R 8.80

$1.64 R 26.40

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 R 25.34

$0.83 R 13.39

$3.05 R 49.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.76 R 12.21

$0.65 R 10.49

$1.09 R 17.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$25.54 R 411

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.13 R 18.19

$0.91 R 14.62

$2.26 R 36.39

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.90 R 14.51

$0.53 R 8.51

$1.65 R 26.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.91 R 63.0

$2.72 R 43.74

$5.43 R 87.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 R 19.31

$1.11 R 17.87

$1.33 R 21.38

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

$21.3K R 343.3K

$17.4K R 279.4K

$28.1K R 451.7K

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

$21.0K R 337.4K

$19.0K R 306.7K

$22.9K R 368.0K

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

$125 R 2,016

$80.7 R 1,300

$222 R 3,568

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

$16.13 R 260

$13.06 R 210

$66.7 R 1,074

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.4 R 844

$39.68 R 639

$59.5 R 958

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$27.01 R 435

$9.62 R 155

$77.1 R 1,241

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.10 R 179

Cinema Ticket

$5.58 R 89.8

$4.74 R 76.4

$8.37 R 135

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

$129 R 2,077

$45.54 R 733

$199 R 3,208

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,691 R 75.5K

$2,649 R 42.6K

$7,174 R 115.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$73.1 R 1,176

$39.29 R 633

$112 R 1,810

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.49 R 523

$12.43 R 200

$53.7 R 864

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.1 R 1,580

$42.04 R 677

$112 R 1,805

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.4 R 1,424

$39.51 R 636

$130 R 2,090

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 R 6,294

$376 R 6,050

$442 R 7,117

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$326 R 5,255

$279 R 4,484

$446 R 7,175

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$709 R 11.4K

$559 R 8,993

$1,397 R 22.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$789 R 12.7K

$487 R 7,837

$1,493 R 24.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$724 R 11.6K

$369 R 5,948

$1,078 R 17.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$558 R 8,982

$248 R 3,992

$868 R 14.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,377 R 22.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.88

10.5

11.25

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

George 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:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in George - Frequently Asked Questions

George offers a more approachable price range than major metro hubs while still delivering modern amenities and easy access to mountains and coast. You'll notice everyday expenses that feel balanced, with affordable casual meals and practical transport options. Housing ranges from compact apartments to quieter family homes, with rents and deposits shaped by neighborhood and lease length. For many travelers, expats, and digital nomads, it provides a calmer base without sacrificing connectivity, services, or healthcare access. Cost of Living in George, South Africa is notably gentler than larger cities, especially for longer stays and outdoor enthusiasts. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to sample areas before committing, and shop local markets for groceries.

Daily life centers on practical routines and scenic breaks. When housing, look for neighborhoods with easy access to main roads, parks, and shops; short-term leases can help you compare areas without long commitments. Food options range from bustling markets to casual eateries and farm-to-table spots, with lower costs available if you cook at home. Transport is flexible: a car helps explore the Garden Route, but reliable minibus taxi routes and ride-hailing options cover most trips. For remote work, several cafes and co-working spaces offer steady wifi. George, South Africa living cost supports balanced budgeting, especially if you plan monthly groceries around seasonal produce. Tip: test transit times at different times of day.

Quality of life leans on a thoughtful mix of nature, community, and pace. Build a simple budgeting framework by separating essentials (rent, utilities, groceries) from discretionary spend (eating out, activities). Seasonal patterns show busier weekends near holiday periods, with outdoor recreation at your doorstep during milder months. Neighborhoods vary from leafy, residential streets to more central hubs full of cafes and morning markets; a test-drive of several areas helps you find the vibe that suits you. Save by cooking at home, using local markets, and sharing transport when possible. Tip: set a flexible monthly plan and re-evaluate after your first couple of weeks.