Cost of Living in Hillcrest - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $569 (excluding rent), and $1,321 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,328 (excluding rent), and $2,420 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.54 R 124

$4.47 R 73.2

$13.95 R 229

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.53 R 468

$25.68 R 421

$68.5 R 1,123

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.07 R 83.2

$4.46 R 73.1

$6.76 R 111

Cappuccino

$1.90 R 31.15

$1.09 R 17.89

$2.73 R 44.72

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

$0.90 R 14.74

$0.66 R 10.85

$1.38 R 22.67

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 R 11.76

$0.52 R 8.52

$1.16 R 19.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.94 R 31.81

$1.11 R 18.18

$2.77 R 45.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 R 37.36

$1.42 R 23.35

$3.13 R 51.4

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 R 15.36

$0.87 R 14.34

$1.46 R 23.90

White Bread (500g)

$0.53 R 8.74

$1.07 R 17.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 R 19.92

$0.69 R 11.31

$1.73 R 28.36

Eggs

$2.12 R 34.74

$1.32 R 21.65

$3.31 R 54.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.28 R 119

$4.44 R 72.9

$13.61 R 223

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.83 R 62.9

$2.74 R 44.91

$5.48 R 89.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.23 R 102

$4.72 R 77.4

$8.33 R 137

Apples (1kg)

$1.46 R 23.87

$0.86 R 14.02

$2.28 R 37.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 R 18.80

$0.86 R 14.10

$2.87 R 47.00

Oranges (1kg)

$1.37 R 22.44

$0.57 R 9.31

$3.41 R 55.9

Tomato (1kg)

$1.29 R 21.23

$0.44 R 7.18

$1.81 R 29.69

Potato (1kg)

$1.26 R 20.63

$0.49 R 8.00

$2.46 R 40.30

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 R 19.90

$0.68 R 11.11

$1.87 R 30.67

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 R 16.82

$0.57 R 9.42

$1.32 R 21.70

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 R 14.41

$0.76 R 12.52

$1.46 R 24.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.75 R 45.10

$2.48 R 40.59

$3.85 R 63.1

Wine (Bottle)

$4.71 R 77.2

$3.13 R 51.4

$9.40 R 154

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 R 22.83

$1.03 R 16.93

$2.18 R 35.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 R 28.56

$1.13 R 18.60

$3.12 R 51.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.67 R 27.41

$0.68 R 11.13

$1.67 R 27.41

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.66 R 27.18

$1.10 R 18.12

$1.93 R 31.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.62 R 10.16

$0.56 R 9.14

$1.67 R 27.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.58 R 108

$3.38 R 55.4

$6.58 R 108

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 R 20.94

$1.16 R 19.01

$1.45 R 23.84

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

$20.5K R 336.2K

$17.1K R 280.1K

$28.5K R 466.9K

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

$24.3K R 398.4K

$20.7K R 338.9K

$30.7K R 503.7K

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

$144 R 2,357

$83.8 R 1,374

$279 R 4,581

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

$29.25 R 480

$13.91 R 228

$45.81 R 751

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.94 R 557

$22.53 R 369

$56.3 R 924

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.53 R 517

$18.21 R 299

$42.66 R 700

Cinema Ticket

$6.83 R 112

$5.69 R 93.4

$8.54 R 140

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

$206 R 3,382

$157 R 2,568

$336 R 5,503

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,657 R 76.4K

$3,406 R 55.9K

$7,379 R 121.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.93 R 704

$17.14 R 281

$68.5 R 1,124

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.54 R 484

$11.01 R 180

$55.1 R 903

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.5 R 1,566

$39.55 R 649

$141 R 2,319

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.0 R 1,181

$44.28 R 726

$139 R 2,272

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$360 R 5,908

$222 R 3,636

$402 R 6,590

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$661 R 10.8K

$248 R 4,068

$661 R 10.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$696 R 11.4K

$455 R 7,454

$852 R 14.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,116 R 18.3K

$502 R 8,239

$1,116 R 18.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$788 R 12.9K

$555 R 9,096

$889 R 14.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.01

10.5

13.2

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Hillcrest Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

117

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 Hillcrest - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Hillcrest, South Africa offers a balanced value for many travelers. Relative to Durban’s core or larger coastal cities, the area feels calmer and more spacious, with access to green spaces and community amenities. Daily costs for groceries, casual dining, and utilities tend to align with a suburban rhythm, and housing can provide more room for the same budget. Transport remains flexible with car access and local transit. Tip: map out a stay near shops and transit routes to maximize convenience and savings.

Hillcrest, South Africa living cost aside, you can expect housing choices that range from spacious townhomes to comfortable apartments, often near village hubs with shops and parks. Food options are diverse, from local markets to casual eateries, making it easy to batch-cook or dine out when you favor variety. Transportation is practical: a car helps for hillside streets and day trips, while local buses and ride-hailing services cover errands and meetings. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi can support remote work, with options clustering around central centers. Tip: start with a short-term rental in a walkable area to test commuting and amenities.

A practical budgeting framework helps you balance essentials with experiences. Use a simple triad: housing, groceries, and transport, then allocate the rest for work needs and occasional outings. Expect seasonal rhythms in outdoor markets and events, which can guide when you shop, cook, or travel. Seek neighborhoods with easy access to shops, parks, and clinics to cut trips and save time. Compare options by proximity to transit and services rather than price alone, and consider longer stays in areas that offer social connections and safety. Tip: set a monthly review to reallocate funds as your schedule or plans change.