Cost of Living in Margate - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $429 (excluding rent), and $931 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $967 (excluding rent), and $1,880 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.9 R 118

$3.86 R 66

$13.8 R 236

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$27.86 R 476

$25.08 R 428

$66.9 R 1,142

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.53 R 60.3

$2.54 R 43.45

$6.78 R 116

Cappuccino

$1.17 R 19.97

$0.65 R 11.15

$2.73 R 46.6

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

$0.68 R 11.62

$0.38 R 6.47

$1.36 R 23.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 R 6.92

$1.16 R 19.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2 R 34.17

$1.14 R 19.53

$3.43 R 58.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.44 R 24.58

$3.17 R 54.1

Milk (1 liter)

$0.82 R 13.95

$0.65 R 11.13

$1.36 R 23.26

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 R 13.48

$0.57 R 9.8

$1.15 R 19.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.25 R 21.28

$1.13 R 19.38

$1.7 R 29.07

Eggs

$2.1 R 35.95

$1.31 R 22.41

$3.29 R 56.2

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.87 R 83.1

$2.86 R 48.89

$10.31 R 176

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.46 R 41.93

$1.98 R 33.82

$5.66 R 96.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.36 R 57.4

$2.31 R 39.45

$8.26 R 141

Apples (1kg)

$1.42 R 24.29

$0.85 R 14.57

$2.28 R 38.86

Banana (1kg)

$1.37 R 23.35

$0.83 R 14.11

$2.75 R 47.03

Oranges (1kg)

$1.28 R 21.83

$0.57 R 9.7

$3.41 R 58.2

Tomato (1kg)

$1.3 R 22.2

$0.44 R 7.51

$1.82 R 31.05

Potato (1kg)

$0.95 R 16.24

$0.49 R 8.29

$2.45 R 41.76

Onion (1kg)

$1.23 R 20.95

$0.68 R 11.7

$1.89 R 32.3

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.98 R 16.75

$0.55 R 9.38

$1.21 R 20.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 R 15.19

$0.65 R 11.06

$1.35 R 23.12

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.45 R 24.85

$1.44 R 24.51

$3.85 R 65.8

Wine (Bottle)

$3.46 R 59.1

$2.88 R 49.15

$8.64 R 148

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.93 R 15.8

$2.3 R 39.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 R 23.39

$0.88 R 15.03

$3.01 R 51.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 R 18

$0.68 R 11.6

$1.42 R 24.23

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.75 R 12.77

$2.01 R 34.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.57 R 9.77

$0.51 R 8.79

$1.54 R 26.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.43 R 75.7

$3.41 R 58.3

$6.64 R 113

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 R 22.74

$1.21 R 20.64

$1.52 R 25.89

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

$20.1K R 342.6K

$16.7K R 285.5K

$27.9K R 475.9K

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

$24.8K R 423K

$21.1K R 359.9K

$31.3K R 534.9K

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

$143 R 2,436

$83.2 R 1,420

$277 R 4,734

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

$29.86 R 510

$14.21 R 243

$46.77 R 799

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.3 R 586

$22.77 R 389

$56.9 R 972

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.01 R 530

$17.91 R 306

$41.95 R 716

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.29 R 56.1

Cinema Ticket

$3.71 R 63.4

$8.56 R 146

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

$206 R 3,511

$156 R 2,666

$334 R 5,712

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,592 R 78.4K

$3,358 R 57.4K

$7,276 R 124.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.6 R 710

$16.61 R 284

$66.4 R 1,134

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.33 R 518

$11.3 R 193

$56.5 R 965

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 R 1,610

$39.05 R 667

$140 R 2,385

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.9 R 1,263

$45.45 R 776

$142 R 2,428

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$371 R 6,328

$228 R 3,894

$413 R 7,058

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$330 R 5,629

$249 R 4,253

$443 R 7,561

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$693 R 11.8K

$453 R 7,728

$848 R 14.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$698 R 11.9K

$509 R 8,699

$863 R 14.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$528 R 9,016

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$516 R 8,807

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,443 R 24.6K

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: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Margate - Frequently Asked Questions

Margate offers a laid-back beach town feel with options that can fit a range of budgets. Accommodation tends toward smaller apartments, guesthouses, and holiday lets that often come with kitchen facilities, which helps control daily costs. Food can be affordable if you shop local and cook at home, while dining out aligns with a relaxed vibe rather than high-end restaurants. Utilities and internet are generally workable for remote work, though speeds can vary by building. In a South African coastal context, Margate tends to be more affordable than major metros, especially outside peak holiday periods. Cost of Living in Margate, South Africa is a helpful reference for planning. Tip: Scout in the off-season and negotiate longer stays for better rates.

Day-to-day life in Margate revolves around a relaxed schedule and accessible choices. Housing search often centers on walkable coastal suburbs or small complexes with secure parking; many find better deals through longer lets or seasonal rental portals. Groceries and casual meals can be very affordable if you shop at local markets and cook at home; pick up fresh produce on weekend mornings. For transport, a car is convenient for exploring nearby beaches and groceries, though bus routes and rideshares help if you don’t drive. For remote work, cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi or light coworking spaces in nearby towns can fit a nomad’s rhythm. Margate, South Africa living cost is easy to budget around. Tip: map a 2–3 neighborhood loop to compare convenience and vibe.

Margate offers a quality of life built on outdoor activities and a slower pace, which suits many nomads who want balance. When budgeting, think about a 50/30/20 approach for housing, food, and discretionary spending, and use seasonality to your advantage – rates and crowds shift with holidays and school terms. Neighborhood fit matters: beachside pockets are lively in summer but quieter off-season; inland blocks feel closer to shops and pathways. For daily needs, plan ahead for safe banking, SIM data, and access to medical care; keep a contingency fund for travel between towns. Tip: build a short list of two neighborhoods and test them during a full week.