Cost of Living in Howick - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $862 monthly including rent, or $356 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,338 with rent, or $699 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,813 including rent, or $1,042 for daily expenses alone.

Howick sits about 36% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are 16% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.38 R 54.9

$14.06 R 229

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.56 R 464

$25.70 R 418

$68.5 R 1,114

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.45 R 56.1

$6.90 R 112

Cappuccino

$1.98 R 32.18

$1.14 R 18.48

$2.84 R 46.21

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

$0.55 R 8.90

$1.37 R 22.24

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 R 7.10

$1.09 R 17.67

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.00 R 32.46

$1.14 R 18.55

$2.85 R 46.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.29 R 37.24

$1.43 R 23.27

$3.15 R 51.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 R 17.07

$0.87 R 14.06

$1.67 R 27.12

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 R 13.09

$0.60 R 9.82

$1.07 R 17.45

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 R 18.44

$1.70 R 27.66

Eggs

$2.18 R 35.47

$1.36 R 22.11

$3.41 R 55.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.96 R 80.5

$4.40 R 71.6

$9.91 R 161

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.26 R 36.78

$5.66 R 92.0

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.93 R 80.1

$4.65 R 75.6

$8.21 R 133

Apples (1kg)

$1.49 R 24.23

$0.82 R 13.30

$2.18 R 35.47

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 R 17.67

$0.82 R 13.25

$2.72 R 44.18

Oranges (1kg)

$1.38 R 22.38

$0.57 R 9.29

$3.43 R 55.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.14 R 18.52

$0.46 R 7.44

$1.89 R 30.76

Potato (1kg)

$0.80 R 13.07

$0.48 R 7.78

$2.41 R 39.20

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 R 19.91

$0.68 R 11.12

$1.89 R 30.69

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 R 15.66

$0.57 R 9.23

$1.25 R 20.28

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.92 R 14.90

$0.72 R 11.69

$1.38 R 22.42

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.17 R 51.5

$2.59 R 42.14

$4.03 R 65.6

Wine (Bottle)

$4.89 R 79.5

$3.30 R 53.7

$9.17 R 149

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 R 18.71

$1.09 R 17.71

$2.30 R 37.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 R 17.92

$3.03 R 49.28

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 R 26.62

$0.67 R 10.81

$1.64 R 26.62

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 R 28.03

$1.15 R 18.68

$2.01 R 32.70

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.57 R 9.33

$0.52 R 8.40

$1.55 R 25.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.80 R 111

$3.49 R 56.7

$6.80 R 111

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 R 20.28

$1.21 R 19.62

$1.51 R 24.61

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

$14.0K R 227.8K

$28.0K R 455.5K

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

$22.6K R 367.5K

$20.9K R 340.0K

$31.1K R 505.3K

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

$147 R 2,386

$85.6 R 1,391

$285 R 4,636

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

$13.79 R 224

$13.74 R 223

$45.24 R 735

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.39 R 543

$22.16 R 360

$55.4 R 900

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.06 R 505

$17.94 R 292

$42.01 R 683

Cinema Ticket

$5.66 R 92.1

$8.50 R 138

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

$100 R 1,629

$334 R 5,431

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,543 R 73.8K

$3,322 R 54.0K

$7,198 R 117.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.71 R 694

$17.05 R 277

$68.2 R 1,108

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.15 R 230

$11.32 R 184

$56.6 R 920

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.5 R 1,340

$38.43 R 624

$137 R 2,233

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$44.83 R 729

$44.78 R 728

$140 R 2,277

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$369 R 5,999

$227 R 3,692

$412 R 6,692

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$330 R 5,364

$249 R 4,053

$443 R 7,204

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$682 R 11.1K

$445 R 7,238

$835 R 13.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$698 R 11.3K

$509 R 8,279

$863 R 14.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$980 R 15.9K

$536 R 8,716

$1,093 R 17.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$777 R 12.6K

$642 R 10.4K

$932 R 15.2K

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: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $135 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $29.00 for two – well below the African average of $42.00.

Cost Highlights

Howick has the 6th cheapest chicken fillets in Africa

Fast food meal is cheaper than 94% of cities in Africa

Imported beer is cheaper than 90% of cities in Africa

Howick Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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 Howick - Frequently Asked Questions

Howick offers a slower pace and reliable services that many travelers and long-term visitors value. The town isn't as fast-paced or price-pressure heavy as larger metros, which can translate into calmer days, easier property hunts, and predictable daily routines. Those prioritizing outdoor living, community networks, and access to green spaces often find the balance favorable. Cost of Living in Howick, South Africa reflects that mix, with everyday basics and local amenities aligned to a more relaxed lifestyle rather than high-volume shopping corridors. You’ll still find cafés, markets, and schools within reach, making longer stays practical. Tip: spend an afternoon exploring a few neighborhoods before deciding on housing.

Daily life in Howick centers on a village-like core with enough options to cover routine needs. Housing search favors cottages, small houses, and secure complexes near the main strip or leafy hills, with rents and terms typically more relaxed than big cities. Groceries come from local markets, a few butchers, and nearby supermarkets, with seasonal produce that supports home cooking and affordable meals. Transport leans car-first, but you can walk some streets and use taxis or ride-hailing for longer hops. A few coworking spaces and friendly cafés let you set up workdays outside the home. Howick, South Africa living cost helps you calibrate what fits. Tip: Build a week-by-week plan to test commute times and neighborhood vibes.

Quality of life in Howick centers on outdoor access, a sense of community, and a slower tempo that suits long projects or weekend escapes. Budgeting frameworks work well when you separate fixed costs (housing, utilities) from flexible ones (food, transport, activities). To save, lean into local markets, cook at home, and plan outings when you are close to your preferred neighborhoods. Seasonality matters: mild winters ease heating needs, while summer adventures in nearby nature areas can be budget-friendly with group discounts. Neighborhood fit ranges from quiet hillside pockets to walkable village zones; choose housing based on daily routines, not just views. Tip: Test a few seasons in person before signing a lease.

Compared to most cities worldwide, Howick is just cheap – all-in costs average $862 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Howick come to around $862 including rent, or roughly $356 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,294 monthly in Howick 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.

Where you live in Howick makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $369; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $330. Overall, the market runs from $330 to $369 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

Howick is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $135, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.

Fitness in Howick is cheap at around $31.06 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.

$1,000 stretches far in Howick – all-in monthly costs average only $862. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Howick offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, family-friendly facilities, and at around $862 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

Monthly expenses in Howick run around $862, so putting money aside takes more than $1,294 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.