Cost of Living in Port Elizabeth - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $624 (excluding rent), and $1,195 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,517 (excluding rent), and $2,495 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.16 R 157

$5.73 R 97.8

$17.19 R 294

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.28 R 773

$28.3 R 483

$84.9 R 1,450

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.11 R 87.3

$4.37 R 74.6

$5.46 R 93.2

Cappuccino

$2.24 R 38.26

$1.43 R 24.35

$2.85 R 48.69

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

$1.13 R 19.25

$0.82 R 13.94

$1.63 R 27.88

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.01 R 17.2

$0.66 R 11.3

$1.66 R 28.33

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.49 R 42.57

$1.55 R 26.52

$2.77 R 47.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 R 50.9

$2.27 R 38.74

$3.4 R 58.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 R 18.43

$0.94 R 16.06

$1.33 R 22.66

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 R 16.4

$0.62 R 10.55

$1.37 R 23.43

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.43 R 24.42

$0.67 R 11.46

$1.85 R 31.57

Eggs

$2.4 R 40.96

$1.33 R 22.68

$3.33 R 56.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.05 R 138

$5.11 R 87.3

$11.36 R 194

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.73 R 80.7

$3.01 R 51.4

$6.89 R 118

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.03 R 137

$5.46 R 93.2

$10.92 R 186

Apples (1kg)

$1.68 R 28.75

$0.57 R 9.7

$2.1 R 35.85

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 R 23.3

$1.1 R 18.77

$1.65 R 28.16

Oranges (1kg)

$1.65 R 28.17

$1.14 R 19.47

$2.85 R 48.69

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 R 26.79

$0.56 R 9.5

$1.84 R 31.37

Potato (1kg)

$1.52 R 25.9

$0.55 R 9.42

$2.76 R 47.09

Onion (1kg)

$1.11 R 19.02

$0.57 R 9.68

$1.7 R 29.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 R 20.15

$0.97 R 16.51

$1.71 R 29.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 R 16.95

$0.75 R 12.89

$1.22 R 20.83

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.88 R 49.13

$2.77 R 47.28

$3.05 R 52

Wine (Bottle)

$4.53 R 77.4

$3.4 R 58.2

$9.63 R 165

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 R 19.02

$0.94 R 15.99

$1.38 R 23.57

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 R 29.13

$1.03 R 17.62

$2.86 R 48.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 R 18.66

$0.93 R 15.83

$3.55 R 60.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.9 R 579

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.58 R 44.13

$1.9 R 32.5

$3.26 R 55.8

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 R 7.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.67 R 131

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 R 22.72

$1.21 R 20.62

$1.43 R 24.47

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

$24K R 409.7K

$14.8K R 253K

$28.6K R 487.7K

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

$25.3K R 431.3K

$19.9K R 340.4K

$36K R 614.6K

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

$116 R 1,989

$73.3 R 1,251

$225 R 3,851

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

$32.12 R 548

$27.98 R 478

$41.97 R 717

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.08 R 770

$34.03 R 581

$51.1 R 872

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.25 R 500

$18.91 R 323

$74.8 R 1,277

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.73 R 354

$14.99 R 256

$20.73 R 354

Cinema Ticket

$9.85 R 168

$7.04 R 120

$12.39 R 212

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

$163 R 2,779

$138 R 2,355

$210 R 3,580

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,798 R 81.9K

$1,179 R 20.1K

$8,083 R 138K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.8 R 1,124

$44.61 R 762

$83.6 R 1,428

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.67 R 643

$16.96 R 290

$67.8 R 1,157

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.3 R 1,594

$55.1 R 942

$138 R 2,354

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.8 R 1,516

$55.5 R 948

$111 R 1,895

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$583 R 9,950

$310 R 5,296

$831 R 14.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$436 R 7,453

$387 R 6,604

$663 R 11.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,133 R 19.4K

$854 R 14.6K

$1,936 R 33.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$843 R 14.4K

$691 R 11.8K

$967 R 16.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$732 R 12.5K

$551 R 9,405

$1,048 R 17.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$509 R 8,692

$463 R 7,910

$743 R 12.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,259 R 21.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.04

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 Port Elizabeth - Frequently Asked Questions

Port Elizabeth often offers solid value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want balance between price and quality. The Cost of Living in Port Elizabeth tends to feel approachable when you compare daily groceries, services, and apartment options to larger metros. You'll find a mix of affordable rooms, short-term leases, and coworking spots that don't require a premium commute. Beach access, scenery, and a slower pace add value beyond price. Expect swings with tourist seasons and global demand, but shoulder periods frequently bring better deals on accommodation and longer stays. Tip: map a short-term base first, then expand to neighborhoods with reliable amenities and transport links.

The Port Elizabeth living cost can vary by neighborhood and season, with coastal zones leaning toward higher rents but shorter commutes and easier access to cafes and beaches. For housing, you'll find a range from compact flats in Summerstrand to larger family units inland; consider lease length and security deposits. Food options include local markets, casual eateries, and supermarkets; cooking at home helps keep budgets predictable. Transport is flexible: rideshare, bus routes, and bike-friendly streets exist; many digital nomads opt for a compact rental and occasional rides. Coworking spaces cluster near university corridors and the coastal strip. Tip: start with a flexible plan and grow as you settle.

A practical budgeting framework is to separate fixed costs (rent, utilities) from flexible spends (eating out, entertainment, transport). Track peak-season shifts; summer influx can nudge availability and prices in popular pockets, while winter tends to be steadier. To find a neighborhood match, map proximity to the coast, supermarkets, and public transport, then test different areas for noise levels and safety. Save by cooking at home, buying in bulk at local markets, and choosing off-peak travel times for longer trips. Stack options: short-term leases to trial areas, then negotiate longer terms if you stay. Tip: set a monthly cap for discretionary spend and revisit quarterly.