Cost of Living in Polokwane - Updated Prices & Insights

38.42
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $538 (excluding rent), and $831 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,317 (excluding rent), and $1,728 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.86 R 175
$4.23 R 75.2
$28.18 R 501
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.4 R 736
$22.08 R 393
$60.7 R 1,080
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.81 R 85.5
$4.25 R 75.6
$8.29 R 147
Cappuccino
$2.26 R 40.11
$1.43 R 25.41
$3.14 R 55.9
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 R 15.22
$0.57 R 10.14
$1.71 R 30.43
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 R 13.35
$0.38 R 6.68
$1.35 R 23.97
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.65 R 29.33
$1.1 R 19.55
$4.12 R 73.3
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 R 34.63
$1.11 R 19.79
$4.17 R 74.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 R 21.02
$0.92 R 16.35
$1.92 R 34.13
White Bread (500g)
$0.94 R 16.68
$0.67 R 11.92
$1.23 R 21.96
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 R 29.33
$1.1 R 19.55
$2.31 R 41.02
Eggs
$2.48 R 44.03
$1.33 R 23.69
$4.01 R 71.3
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7 R 125
$2.82 R 50.1
$13.17 R 234
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.34 R 59.4
$1.97 R 35.08
$7.33 R 130
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.75 R 102
$3.74 R 66.5
$11.46 R 204
Apples (1kg)
$1.67 R 29.7
$1.13 R 20.16
$2.21 R 39.24
Banana (1kg)
$1.47 R 26.08
$0.55 R 9.74
$2.41 R 42.95
Oranges (1kg)
$1.55 R 27.58
$0.58 R 10.23
$3.59 R 63.9
Tomato (1kg)
$1.6 R 28.48
$0.55 R 9.79
$2.48 R 44.04
Potato (1kg)
$1.43 R 25.39
$0.54 R 9.67
$3.05 R 54.2
Onion (1kg)
$1.23 R 21.86
$0.57 R 10.12
$2.28 R 40.48
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 R 18.66
$0.55 R 9.86
$1.32 R 23.41
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 R 13.59
$0.57 R 10.15
$1.14 R 20.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.7 R 48
$2.56 R 45.47
$3.69 R 65.7
Wine (Bottle)
$5.4 R 96
$2.51 R 44.57
$8.35 R 149
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11 R 19.8
$0.89 R 15.84
$2.27 R 40.31
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 R 23.01
$1.03 R 18.3
$2.85 R 50.7
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.19 R 56.7
$0.83 R 14.79
$5.54 R 98.6
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.8 R 14.22
$0.8 R 14.22
$1.6 R 28.45
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.9 R 15.94
$0.53 R 9.36
$2.29 R 40.72
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.97 R 70.5
$3.17 R 56.4
$5.51 R 98
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21 R 21.46
$1.17 R 20.76
$1.38 R 24.63
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.1K R 250.3K
$14.1K R 250.3K
$28.1K R 500.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K R 400.5K
$19.7K R 350.4K
$28.1K R 500.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 R 2,130
$56.8 R 1,009
$312 R 5,550
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.91 R 710
$12.99 R 231
$82.9 R 1,475
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.79 R 654
$30.66 R 545
$55.8 R 992
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.34 R 397
$11.38 R 202
$28.45 R 506
Cinema Ticket
$7.44 R 132
$5.15 R 91.6
$11.44 R 204
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$169 R 3,006
$84.5 R 1,503
$282 R 5,010
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,351 R 24K
$1,351 R 24K
$8,443 R 150.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.28 R 610
$17.14 R 305
$68.6 R 1,219
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.01 R 587
$12.12 R 216
$66.1 R 1,176
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.4 R 1,304
$44 R 783
$138 R 2,446
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.2 R 1,390
$33.4 R 594
$122 R 2,178
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$257 R 4,571
$228 R 4,063
$286 R 5,079
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$178 R 3,170
$113 R 2,002
$253 R 4,504
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$376 R 6,693
$362 R 6,445
$390 R 6,941
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$280 R 4,978
$280 R 4,978
$280 R 4,978
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$605 R 10.8K
$374 R 6,644
$818 R 14.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,377 R 24.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.51
7
24
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Polokwane - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Polokwane for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with other SA cities?
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.
What does daily life look like in Polokwane in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
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.
What factors influence quality of life and how can you budget for long stays in Polokwane?
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.
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