Cost of Living in Newcastle - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $553 (excluding rent), and $989 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,144 (excluding rent), and $2,041 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.43 R 144

$5.06 R 86.4

$14.05 R 240

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.67 R 575

$22.45 R 383

$67.3 R 1,150

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.85 R 82.9

$4 R 68.3

$6.28 R 107

Cappuccino

$2.13 R 36.3

$1.15 R 19.64

$4.03 R 68.8

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

$1.06 R 18.17

$0.8 R 13.63

$1.43 R 24.46

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 R 13.86

$0.53 R 9.13

$1.07 R 18.26

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.3 R 39.2

$1.72 R 29.4

$2.87 R 49

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 R 48.07

$1.69 R 28.84

$4.39 R 75

Milk (1 liter)

$1.2 R 20.57

$0.86 R 14.64

$2 R 34.17

White Bread (500g)

$1.05 R 17.93

$0.67 R 11.38

$1.35 R 23.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 R 21.9

$1.14 R 19.47

$2.39 R 40.85

Eggs

$1.73 R 29.53

$1.33 R 22.74

$4.17 R 71.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.98 R 102

$4.89 R 83.5

$19.03 R 325

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.45 R 75.9

$3.27 R 55.8

$6.54 R 112

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.55 R 112

$5.13 R 87.6

$10.54 R 180

Apples (1kg)

$0.84 R 14.4

$0.58 R 9.95

$2.1 R 35.9

Banana (1kg)

$0.96 R 16.33

$0.93 R 15.83

$2.4 R 40.99

Oranges (1kg)

$0.87 R 14.88

$0.81 R 13.88

$2.17 R 37.02

Tomato (1kg)

$1.28 R 21.93

$1.03 R 17.58

$2.22 R 37.95

Potato (1kg)

$0.9 R 15.36

$0.55 R 9.35

$2.19 R 37.41

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 R 19.79

$0.55 R 9.31

$1.91 R 32.59

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 R 11.47

$0.54 R 9.18

$1.34 R 22.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.58 R 9.97

$0.35 R 6.05

$1.64 R 27.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.76 R 47.14

$2.48 R 42.42

$4.64 R 79.3

Wine (Bottle)

$2.85 R 48.71

$11.42 R 195

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.3 R 22.27

$1.11 R 18.9

$2.49 R 42.51

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 R 14.1

$2.75 R 47.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.61 R 27.54

$0.65 R 11.18

$1.61 R 27.54

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.43 R 24.42

$1.14 R 19.53

$2.29 R 39.07

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.32 R 22.62

$0.59 R 10.05

$1.65 R 28.15

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.07 R 52.4

$2.79 R 47.63

$3.35 R 57.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 R 21.49

$1.15 R 19.66

$1.42 R 24.32

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

$18.9K R 322.9K

$17K R 290.5K

$30.2K R 516.5K

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

$26.2K R 447.3K

$22.6K R 385.2K

$31.3K R 534.3K

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

$126 R 2,156

$85.5 R 1,460

$199 R 3,405

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

$37.69 R 644

$22.56 R 385

$67.9 R 1,159

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.85 R 663

$31.33 R 535

$56.9 R 972

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.95 R 529

$17.88 R 305

$41.87 R 715

Cinema Ticket

$7.68 R 131

$6.83 R 117

$11.38 R 194

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

$197 R 3,371

$140 R 2,397

$236 R 4,027

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,359 R 74.4K

$2,697 R 46.1K

$5,618 R 95.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51 R 872

$33.8 R 577

$67.6 R 1,155

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.18 R 550

$19.59 R 335

$44.77 R 765

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.2 R 1,506

$50.7 R 866

$124 R 2,116

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.9 R 1,502

$55.7 R 950

$139 R 2,376

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$364 R 6,213

$224 R 3,824

$406 R 6,930

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$327 R 5,587

$247 R 4,221

$439 R 7,505

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$684 R 11.7K

$446 R 7,624

$837 R 14.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$682 R 11.6K

$498 R 8,499

$843 R 14.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$544 R 9,288

$348 R 5,946

$655 R 11.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.69

12.75

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Newcastle - Frequently Asked Questions

Newcastle offers a friendly balance of liveability and cost when compared with South Africa’s bigger metros. You’ll likely find housing options that suit a modest budget without sacrificing access to services, while dining and everyday shopping tend to be more approachable than in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Utilities, internet, and transport costs cluster around a predictable range, letting you stretch a fixed expenditure further if you choose a quieter, walkable neighborhood. Cost of Living in Newcastle, South Africa provides a practical baseline for budgeting for a longer stay. Tip: Start with a short-term lease in a couple of neighborhoods to compare daily rhythms before committing.

Expect a mix of older homes and newer rentals, with options from compact flats near the center to larger family homes in quieter suburbs. Start with local listings and a trusted agent, then test a short-term arrangement while you scope the area. Groceries come from national supermarkets and smaller markets, with seasonal produce often delivering good value. Food and casual dining cover a range of budgets, from quick bites to neighborhood favorites. Transport tends to be car-centric, though taxis and a limited bus network serve main routes; many people appreciate nearby cafés or coworking spaces with reliable Wi‑Fi. Newcastle, South Africa living cost helps you map a practical daily budget. Tip: Schedule probe checks of a few neighborhoods before committing.

Use a simple budgeting framework like a lightweight 50/30/20 split to guide housing, food, and discretionary spending, then adjust with the season. In Newcastle you’ll notice that certain months bring busier markets and higher utility costs for heating or cooling; plan ahead for these shifts by choosing a neighborhood close to amenities and with energy-efficient options. Prioritize neighborhoods with park access, safe walking routes, and proximity to a co-working cafe if you work remotely. Seasonal events, short-term rentals, and community groups can help you feel at home faster. Tip: keep a flexible schedule for housing and errands to adapt to seasonal rhythms.