Cost of Living in Polokwane - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $589 (excluding rent), and $841 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,224 (excluding rent), and $1,756 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.98 R 171

$4.28 R 73.1

$28.54 R 487

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.64 R 728

$22.75 R 388

$62.6 R 1,068

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.91 R 83.9

$4.35 R 74.3

$8.48 R 145

Cappuccino

$2.26 R 38.65

$1.43 R 24.48

$3.15 R 53.9

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

$0.87 R 14.94

$0.58 R 9.96

$1.75 R 29.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 R 12.73

$0.37 R 6.37

$1.34 R 22.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.71 R 29.13

$1.14 R 19.42

$4.26 R 72.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 R 33.69

$1.13 R 19.25

$4.23 R 72.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 R 19.54

$0.89 R 15.2

$1.86 R 31.73

White Bread (500g)

$0.95 R 16.14

$0.68 R 11.53

$1.24 R 21.25

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.63 R 27.89

$1.09 R 18.59

$2.28 R 39.01

Eggs

$2.52 R 43.06

$1.36 R 23.17

$4.08 R 69.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.02 R 120

$2.82 R 48.24

$13.2 R 226

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.39 R 57.9

$2 R 34.15

$7.43 R 127

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.47 R 93.4

$3.56 R 60.7

$10.89 R 186

Apples (1kg)

$1.63 R 27.89

$1.11 R 18.93

$2.16 R 36.84

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 R 24.97

$0.55 R 9.32

$2.41 R 41.12

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 R 26.01

$0.56 R 9.64

$3.53 R 60.3

Tomato (1kg)

$1.64 R 28.06

$0.56 R 9.64

$2.54 R 43.38

Potato (1kg)

$1.5 R 25.62

$0.57 R 9.76

$3.2 R 54.7

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 R 21.15

$0.57 R 9.79

$2.29 R 39.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 R 18.53

$0.57 R 9.79

$1.36 R 23.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 R 12.54

$0.55 R 9.36

$1.1 R 18.73

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.6 R 44.47

$2.47 R 42.13

$3.56 R 60.9

Wine (Bottle)

$4.56 R 77.9

$2.61 R 44.64

$8.72 R 149

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 R 19.07

$0.89 R 15.26

$2.27 R 38.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.25 R 21.32

$0.99 R 16.95

$2.75 R 47

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.18 R 54.4

$0.83 R 14.19

$5.54 R 94.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.85 R 14.6

$1.71 R 29.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.9 R 15.39

$0.53 R 9.04

$2.3 R 39.32

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.1 R 70

$3.27 R 55.9

$5.7 R 97.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.2 R 20.53

$1.16 R 19.86

$1.38 R 23.56

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

$14.3K R 243.9K

$28.6K R 487.8K

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

$22.3K R 381.3K

$19.5K R 333.6K

$27.9K R 476.6K

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

$118 R 2,017

$55.9 R 955

$308 R 5,254

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

$40.06 R 684

$13.04 R 223

$83.3 R 1,422

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.1 R 634

$30.92 R 528

$56.2 R 960

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.38 R 382

$11.4 R 195

$28.5 R 487

Cinema Ticket

$7.19 R 123

$4.98 R 85

$11.06 R 189

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

$171 R 2,920

$85.5 R 1,460

$285 R 4,867

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,362 R 23.3K

$8,512 R 145.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.52 R 572

$16.76 R 286

$67 R 1,145

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.36 R 570

$12.25 R 209

$66.8 R 1,141

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.6 R 1,257

$44.16 R 754

$138 R 2,357

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78 R 1,332

$33.32 R 569

$122 R 2,086

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$248 R 4,240

$221 R 3,769

$276 R 4,711

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$179 R 3,060

$113 R 1,933

$255 R 4,349

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$373 R 6,378

$360 R 6,142

$387 R 6,614

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$276 R 4,711

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,453 R 24.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.51

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Polokwane - Frequently Asked Questions

Polokwane generally offers solid value for money compared with larger metros, especially for housing and everyday needs. You’ll find a mix of older homes and newer flats, with options across budgets. Utilities and transport are manageable, and you can stretch your budget by shopping at local markets and choosing affordable cafes or co-working spaces. Neighborhoods vary from quiet residential belts to convenient corridors near malls and services. Cost of Living in Polokwane can differ by district, but overall it remains favorable for longer stays and steady routines. Tip: Map out a few neighborhoods based on daily needs and test them for a week.

Housing searches cluster around the city center and in leafy suburbs with secure complexes and reliable internet. You’ll encounter a mix of older flats and newer apartments, with parking and proximity to supermarkets as key pluses. Food options range from bustling markets with fresh produce to casual eateries and budget-friendly takeaways. Transport is flexible, with taxis, rideshares, buses, and bike-friendly routes, while errands cluster near central hubs. For digital nomads, consider short-term furnished options and nearby coworking spaces. Polokwane living cost is generally practical for daily life and flexible routines. Tip: Keep a short-term plan for a few neighborhoods and test commute times during peak hours.

Quality of life in Polokwane hinges on choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace, safety needs, and daily routines. Use a simple budgeting framework, tracking essential costs, discretionary spend, and a savings buffer for seasonal changes. You can enjoy outdoor markets, casual eateries, and nearby nature while keeping living costs reasonable by cooking at home and shopping smart. Mobility works with a mix of car use, rideshares, and walking in compact areas. Look for communities with reliable internet, shade, and easy access to parks and cafes. Tip: Build a flexible monthly plan that accounts for variable utilities and transport costs.