Cost of Living in Port Elizabeth - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,236 per month with rent, or $681 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,900 per month with rent, or $1,177 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,563 per month with rent, or $1,673 without housing.

Overall, Port Elizabeth is 10–13% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 31% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.37 R 184

$3.79 R 61.3

$28.43 R 460

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.17 R 714

$28.40 R 459

$94.7 R 1,530

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.12 R 98.9

$4.99 R 80.7

$7.48 R 121

Cappuccino

$2.13 R 34.38

$1.71 R 27.57

$2.73 R 44.21

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

$1.10 R 17.80

$0.77 R 12.48

$1.60 R 25.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 R 13.00

$0.65 R 10.47

$2.14 R 34.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.84 R 45.99

$2.21 R 35.77

$3.49 R 56.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 R 52.2

$2.46 R 39.74

$3.70 R 59.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 R 19.69

$0.95 R 15.39

$1.40 R 22.67

White Bread (500g)

$1.09 R 17.59

$0.80 R 12.94

$1.21 R 19.58

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.49 R 24.16

$0.97 R 15.73

$2.07 R 33.54

Eggs

$2.81 R 45.39

$1.97 R 31.92

$3.70 R 59.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.08 R 147

$8.23 R 133

$10.45 R 169

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.56 R 90.0

$4.32 R 69.8

$7.88 R 127

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.62 R 139

$6.10 R 98.7

$12.21 R 197

Apples (1kg)

$2.14 R 34.66

$1.21 R 19.54

$2.42 R 39.07

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 R 25.79

$1.28 R 20.63

$1.91 R 30.94

Oranges (1kg)

$1.68 R 27.13

$1.10 R 17.77

$3.05 R 49.33

Tomato (1kg)

$1.77 R 28.63

$1.51 R 24.38

$1.99 R 32.25

Potato (1kg)

$1.77 R 28.69

$1.07 R 17.38

$3.78 R 61.1

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 R 22.95

$0.74 R 11.95

$2.14 R 34.59

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.33 R 21.46

$1.27 R 20.47

$2.22 R 35.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 R 16.88

$0.76 R 12.29

$1.57 R 25.40

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.37 R 54.5

$3.02 R 48.88

$4.10 R 66.3

Wine (Bottle)

$4.83 R 78.0

$3.62 R 58.6

$10.26 R 166

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.31 R 21.17

$1.21 R 19.52

$1.59 R 25.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 R 29.24

$1.05 R 16.93

$3.31 R 53.5

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.18 R 19.11

$1.09 R 17.62

$1.27 R 20.61

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.87 R 596

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.17 R 35.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.49 R 7.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.56 R 138

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 R 22.83

$1.27 R 20.59

$1.70 R 27.46

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

$36.5K R 589.9K

$37.4K R 605.4K

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

$34.5K R 557.4K

$34.8K R 562.6K

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

$125 R 2,026

$80.0 R 1,293

$154 R 2,487

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

$35.65 R 576

$18.64 R 301

$46.59 R 753

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.87 R 758

$30.41 R 492

$75.4 R 1,219

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.16 R 520

$20.79 R 336

$82.2 R 1,330

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.02 R 388

$16.84 R 272

$31.19 R 504

Cinema Ticket

$10.92 R 177

$7.80 R 126

$13.73 R 222

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

$185 R 2,993

$157 R 2,536

$238 R 3,855

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,340 R 102.5K

$1,563 R 25.3K

$9,956 R 161.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.1 R 1,165

$48.86 R 790

$91.6 R 1,480

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.23 R 618

$15.30 R 247

$73.4 R 1,186

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 R 1,853

$61.9 R 1,001

$186 R 3,004

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.9 R 1,615

$62.4 R 1,009

$125 R 2,018

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$633 R 10.2K

$442 R 7,150

$758 R 12.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$429 R 6,941

$276 R 4,462

$552 R 8,924

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$846 R 13.7K

$566 R 9,148

$1,383 R 22.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$704 R 11.4K

$502 R 8,111

$1,076 R 17.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$799 R 12.9K

$601 R 9,723

$1,144 R 18.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$545 R 8,813

$496 R 8,019

$795 R 12.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,641 R 26.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.94

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $633, dropping to $429 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 39% of the average salary ($1,641) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,641. With monthly costs around $1,236, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,854.

Groceries cost around $203 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $44.00 – broadly in line with the African average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $36.87 – roughly in line with the African average of $30.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 93% of cities in Africa

Average monthly net salary is higher than 92% of cities in Africa

Meal at budget restaurant is more expensive than 92% of cities in Africa

Port Elizabeth Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.

Port Elizabeth sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,236, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.

Housing in Port Elizabeth takes a heavy bite – about 39% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.

You'll want at least $1,854 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Port Elizabeth. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.

A central one-bedroom apartment in Port Elizabeth runs about $633 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $429. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.

Grocery spending in Port Elizabeth lands around $203 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.

Getting around Port Elizabeth by public transport costs about $36.87 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.

$1,000 is below the $1,236 average in Port Elizabeth, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.

Digital nomads flock to Port Elizabeth for good reason: vibrant nightlife, coastal lifestyle, beach access. Monthly costs land around $1,236 depending on your setup – strong value for the connectivity and quality of life you get. Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafés round out the appeal.

Port Elizabeth is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,236, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

Port Elizabeth is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,236, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.