Cost of Living in Paarl - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $571 (excluding rent), and $966 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,472 (excluding rent), and $2,308 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.74 R 183

$6.61 R 113

$16.53 R 282

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.46 R 776

$28.42 R 485

$68.2 R 1,165

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.99 R 85.2

$4.27 R 73

$5.7 R 97.3

Cappuccino

$1.99 R 34

$1.59 R 27.23

$2.84 R 48.56

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

$0.88 R 14.96

$1.75 R 29.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.8 R 13.68

$0.53 R 9.12

$1.6 R 27.36

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.28 R 38.86

$1.99 R 34

$3.41 R 58.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 R 44.09

$1.72 R 29.39

$4.02 R 68.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.15 R 19.59

$0.85 R 14.56

$1.99 R 33.97

White Bread (500g)

$0.94 R 16.03

$0.58 R 9.91

$1.52 R 25.94

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.85 R 31.57

$1.04 R 17.8

$3.58 R 61.1

Eggs

$1.82 R 31.01

$1.32 R 22.58

$3.54 R 60.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.21 R 140

$5.7 R 97.3

$11.39 R 195

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.26 R 89.9

$2.84 R 48.48

$7.95 R 136

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.32 R 125

$4.91 R 83.8

$13.63 R 233

Apples (1kg)

$1.48 R 25.35

$0.97 R 16.5

$2.28 R 38.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.34 R 22.86

$0.88 R 15.02

$2.3 R 39.21

Oranges (1kg)

$0.97 R 16.52

$0.74 R 12.69

$3.37 R 57.6

Tomato (1kg)

$1.44 R 24.61

$1.04 R 17.76

$1.96 R 33.4

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 R 13.35

$0.54 R 9.23

$1.62 R 27.69

Onion (1kg)

$0.8 R 13.72

$0.7 R 11.93

$1.61 R 27.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 R 18.04

$0.83 R 14.16

$1.38 R 23.61

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 R 15.11

$0.75 R 12.82

$1.44 R 24.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.72 R 46.47

$2.45 R 41.83

$3.54 R 60.4

Wine (Bottle)

$5.77 R 98.6

$2.89 R 49.31

$8.67 R 148

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 R 19.76

$0.82 R 13.95

$2.45 R 41.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.92 R 15.77

$0.86 R 14.72

$3.45 R 58.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.15 R 19.67

$0.69 R 11.77

$1.15 R 19.67

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 R 24.09

$0.74 R 12.56

$2.82 R 48.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.01 R 17.31

$0.68 R 11.6

$1.69 R 28.91

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.61 R 78.8

$2.77 R 47.29

$5.77 R 98.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 R 20.36

$1.15 R 19.69

$1.43 R 24.36

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

$21.3K R 364.2K

$19.3K R 329.8K

$25.3K R 431.2K

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

$16.6K R 284.1K

$30.5K R 520.8K

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

$74.2 R 1,266

$47.21 R 806

$194 R 3,320

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

$32.91 R 562

$16.8 R 287

$67.2 R 1,147

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$40.56 R 693

$30.24 R 516

$55 R 939

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.38 R 416

$16.63 R 284

$32.14 R 549

Cinema Ticket

$6.23 R 106

$4.53 R 77.4

$10.48 R 179

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

$201 R 3,434

$113 R 1,935

$330 R 5,643

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,178 R 71.4K

$2,006 R 34.3K

$8,914 R 152.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.16 R 669

$33.07 R 565

$68.4 R 1,169

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.56 R 488

$20 R 342

$51.4 R 878

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 R 1,885

$68.5 R 1,170

$143 R 2,438

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.6 R 1,462

$45.35 R 775

$170 R 2,905

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$680 R 11.6K

$472 R 8,057

$888 R 15.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$335 R 5,729

$252 R 4,297

$447 R 7,639

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,167 R 19.9K

$1,016 R 17.4K

$1,318 R 22.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$836 R 14.3K

$793 R 13.5K

$878 R 15K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$875 R 14.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,431 R 41.5K

$712 R 12.2K

$4,151 R 70.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,279 R 21.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.4

10.7

13.75

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Paarl - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Paarl provides a stable balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. It sits below Cape Town’s most expensive pockets yet above many smaller towns, offering value through a mix of apartment rents, supermarkets, and local eateries. Those who value safety, community feel, and outdoor access often find it worthwhile, especially with longer stays. Groceries, casual meals, and services stay affordable when you shop at markets and use local clients. A car helps with weekend explorations, while some neighborhoods offer walkable amenities. Tip: Plan a monthly routine that blends work and leisure to keep costs predictable.

Daily life in Paarl centers on balance: housing, food, and short trips to the valley’s wineries and parks. In central areas you’ll find walkable access to shops and cafés; outskirts offer larger homes with garden space. For housing, consider short-term furnished stays while you test neighborhoods, then shift to a longer lease if needed. Groceries come from markets and supermarkets, with seasonal fruit being a highlight. Considering the Paarl living cost, you can target neighborhoods that fit your budget and work style. Transport is car-friendly, though some routes and limited bus options exist; many people pair occasional rides with a bicycle for errands. Tip: Plan weekly trips to cut back on transit costs.

Quality of life in Paarl rewards practical budgeting and flexible planning. Use a simple framework: housing, food, transport, and personal care as four buckets, then track discretionary spending by week. The terroir and climate bring seasonal abundance; harvest seasons can reduce grocery costs if you shop at farmers’ markets. Neighborhood fit matters: central and Paarl East suit those who want proximity to services, while Simonsvlei and surrounding farms appeal to renters seeking space and quiet. Free or low-cost outdoor activities – hikes, parks, and markets – help stretch food and leisure budgets. Tip: Try a 2–3 month trial in a neighborhood before committing.