Cost of Living in Pretoria - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $646 (excluding rent), and $1,152 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,477 (excluding rent), and $2,347 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.18 R 140

$4.91 R 84.1

$13.64 R 234

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.03 R 583

$22.69 R 388

$68.1 R 1,165

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.67 R 79.9

$3.84 R 65.8

$6.04 R 103

Cappuccino

$2.08 R 35.61

$1.13 R 19.27

$3.94 R 67.4

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

$1.01 R 17.34

$0.76 R 13

$1.36 R 23.34

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 R 14.09

$0.54 R 9.28

$1.08 R 18.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.2 R 37.68

$1.65 R 28.26

$2.75 R 47.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.83 R 48.51

$1.7 R 29.11

$4.42 R 75.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.24 R 21.28

$0.86 R 14.66

$2 R 34.2

White Bread (500g)

$1.07 R 18.24

$0.68 R 11.57

$1.37 R 23.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 R 28.15

$1.15 R 19.71

$2.42 R 41.35

Eggs

$2.49 R 42.64

$1.6 R 27.43

$4.29 R 73.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.65 R 131

$5.01 R 85.8

$19.49 R 334

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.54 R 77.8

$3.34 R 57.2

$6.68 R 114

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.47 R 111

$5.06 R 86.6

$8.43 R 144

Apples (1kg)

$1.64 R 28.01

$1.1 R 18.9

$1.99 R 34.09

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 R 27.65

$1.09 R 18.67

$2.53 R 43.32

Oranges (1kg)

$1.59 R 27.26

$1.08 R 18.57

$2.19 R 37.46

Tomato (1kg)

$1.62 R 27.72

$0.99 R 16.86

$2.13 R 36.4

Potato (1kg)

$1.35 R 23.19

$0.57 R 9.69

$2.26 R 38.77

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 R 19.83

$0.55 R 9.33

$1.91 R 32.67

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 R 19.42

$0.68 R 11.72

$1.43 R 24.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 R 19.12

$0.82 R 14.09

$1.54 R 26.33

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.87 R 49.07

$2.58 R 44.17

$4.82 R 82.6

Wine (Bottle)

$5.08 R 87

$3.88 R 66.5

$11.95 R 205

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.52 R 26.02

$1.11 R 18.92

$2.49 R 42.58

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.86 R 31.77

$1.08 R 18.5

$2.86 R 48.88

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.22 R 55.2

$1.7 R 29.07

$4.81 R 82.4

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.3 R 1,100

$32.42 R 555

$140 R 2,392

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 R 24.63

$1.15 R 19.7

$2.3 R 39.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 R 23.37

$0.61 R 10.39

$1.7 R 29.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.1 R 53

$2.82 R 48.22

$3.38 R 57.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.33 R 22.73

$1.21 R 20.8

$1.5 R 25.73

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

$19K R 325.1K

$17.1K R 292.4K

$30.4K R 519.9K

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

$25.6K R 438.4K

$22.1K R 377.6K

$30.6K R 523.7K

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

$123 R 2,114

$83.6 R 1,431

$195 R 3,339

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

$37.06 R 634

$22.18 R 380

$66.7 R 1,142

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.63 R 644

$30.35 R 519

$55.1 R 944

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.56 R 540

$16.48 R 282

$46.67 R 799

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.62 R 182

$6.82 R 117

$14.21 R 243

Cinema Ticket

$7.68 R 131

$6.82 R 117

$11.37 R 195

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

$194 R 3,325

$138 R 2,363

$232 R 3,971

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,402 R 75.4K

$2,723 R 46.6K

$5,673 R 97.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.7 R 868

$33.58 R 575

$67.2 R 1,150

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.6 R 541

$19.24 R 329

$43.96 R 752

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.9 R 1,504

$50.5 R 865

$124 R 2,114

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.9 R 1,521

$56.2 R 963

$141 R 2,407

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$404 R 6,915

$258 R 4,412

$532 R 9,112

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$402 R 6,875

$284 R 4,862

$625 R 10.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$735 R 12.6K

$454 R 7,777

$1,136 R 19.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$772 R 13.2K

$568 R 9,727

$1,136 R 19.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$823 R 14.1K

$745 R 12.7K

$864 R 14.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$706 R 12.1K

$637 R 10.9K

$811 R 13.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,472 R 25.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.69

12.75

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Pretoria - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many regional capitals, Pretoria offers good value for a stay that includes reliable transport, green spaces, and walkable neighborhoods. The Cost of Living in Pretoria tends to feel balanced, with affordable apartment options in several suburbs, accessible grocery choices, and dependable public transport without the flashiest price tags. For digital nomads and longer visits, you can find mid-range rentals with utilities included to simplify budgeting. The city rewards you who explore beyond the tourist zones, testing different areas for safety and convenience. Tip: Start with a flexible, short-term rental to assess neighborhoods, internet quality, and commute routes before committing long term.

Daily life revolves around diverse neighborhoods and practical routines. For housing search, you will find furnished and unfurnished options in a mix of leafy suburbs and urban pockets; leases range from short stays to longer commitments. Food options span casual eateries, braai-friendly grills, and fresh markets with fruit and veg everywhere. Transport leans on car use, ridesharing, and the Gautrain for longer hops; some areas offer growing bicycle lanes. Co-working spaces mix coffee-shop vibes with reliable wifi and private rooms. Errands are straightforward in malls and neighborhood centers, with pharmacies and grocery stores nearby in most suburbs. Pretoria living cost varies by area, so compare locations and visit at different times. Tip: Map a weekly plan to reduce back-and-forth.

Quality of life hinges on you choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace, safety, and access to green spaces. A simple budgeting framework splits housing, food, transport, and leisure, then adjusts as needed, aiming for flexibility rather than fixed ceilings. Save by cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and taking government-subsidized services when available. Seasonality affects leisure plans: warm summers invite outdoor markets and parks, while cooler, drier winters shift activities indoors. Neighborhood fit tips: test commutes at different times, check internet speeds in apartments, and look for proximity to clinics, gyms, and cafes with reliable wifi. Tip: join local meetups to feel the rhythm of daily life and networks.