Cost of Living in Pretoria - Updated Prices & Insights

43.66
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $650 (excluding rent), and $1,167 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,506 (excluding rent), and $2,435 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Pretoria? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.3 R 148
$4.98 R 88.6
$13.83 R 246
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.24 R 609
$22.83 R 406
$68.5 R 1,218
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.89 R 86.9
$4.03 R 71.6
$6.33 R 112
Cappuccino
$2.06 R 36.56
$1.11 R 19.78
$3.89 R 69.2
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02 R 18.21
$0.77 R 13.66
$1.38 R 24.52
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 R 15.48
$0.57 R 10.2
$1.15 R 20.4
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.22 R 39.55
$1.67 R 29.66
$2.78 R 49.44
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 R 48.84
$1.65 R 29.3
$4.29 R 76.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 R 21.09
$0.82 R 14.52
$1.9 R 33.88
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 R 17.99
$0.64 R 11.42
$1.3 R 23.18
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.58 R 28.18
$1.11 R 19.73
$2.33 R 41.39
Eggs
$2.49 R 44.27
$1.6 R 28.48
$4.28 R 76.2
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.64 R 136
$5 R 89
$19.46 R 346
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.7 R 83.6
$3.46 R 61.5
$6.92 R 123
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.25 R 111
$4.89 R 87
$8.15 R 145
Apples (1kg)
$1.62 R 28.73
$1.09 R 19.38
$1.97 R 34.96
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 R 28.26
$1.07 R 19.08
$2.49 R 44.28
Oranges (1kg)
$1.65 R 29.37
$1.12 R 20
$2.27 R 40.35
Tomato (1kg)
$1.67 R 29.73
$1.02 R 18.09
$2.2 R 39.05
Potato (1kg)
$1.37 R 24.36
$0.57 R 10.18
$2.29 R 40.72
Onion (1kg)
$1.21 R 21.43
$0.57 R 10.09
$1.98 R 35.3
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 R 19.95
$0.68 R 12.04
$1.41 R 25.16
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 R 19.83
$0.82 R 14.61
$1.54 R 27.31
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.88 R 51.1
$2.59 R 46.03
$4.84 R 86
Wine (Bottle)
$5.03 R 89.5
$3.63 R 64.6
$8.38 R 149
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57 R 27.84
$1.14 R 20.25
$2.56 R 45.55
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.8 R 32.03
$1.05 R 18.65
$2.77 R 49.28
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.1 R 55.2
$1.63 R 29.06
$4.63 R 82.3
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.5 R 1,165
$33.04 R 588
$142 R 2,533
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.36 R 24.26
$1.09 R 19.4
$2.18 R 38.81
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.32 R 23.39
$0.58 R 10.39
$1.64 R 29.11
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.12 R 55.5
$2.84 R 50.5
$3.41 R 60.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 R 23.44
$1.21 R 21.44
$1.49 R 26.53
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.3K R 343.7K
$17.4K R 309.2K
$30.9K R 549.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K R 469.5K
$22.7K R 404.4K
$31.5K R 560.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$124 R 2,200
$83.8 R 1,490
$195 R 3,475
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.59 R 669
$22.5 R 400
$67.7 R 1,204
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.84 R 673
$30.51 R 543
$55.4 R 986
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.12 R 571
$16.77 R 298
$47.5 R 845
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.38 R 185
$6.67 R 119
$13.89 R 247
Cinema Ticket
$7.41 R 132
$6.59 R 117
$10.98 R 195
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$199 R 3,530
$141 R 2,510
$237 R 4,216
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,413 R 78.5K
$2,729 R 48.5K
$5,686 R 101.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.8 R 903
$33.64 R 598
$67.3 R 1,197
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.2 R 573
$19.6 R 349
$44.79 R 797
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.9 R 1,580
$51.1 R 909
$125 R 2,221
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.7 R 1,577
$56.1 R 998
$140 R 2,495
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$402 R 7,151
$257 R 4,563
$530 R 9,424
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$403 R 7,174
$285 R 5,074
$628 R 11.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$722 R 12.8K
$446 R 7,939
$1,116 R 19.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$748 R 13.3K
$550 R 9,790
$1,101 R 19.6K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$841 R 15K
$770 R 13.7K
$855 R 15.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$761 R 13.5K
$620 R 11K
$789 R 14K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,487 R 26.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.69
11
12.75
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Pretoria - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pretoria affordable for travelers and expats, and who tends to find it good value in general terms?
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.
What does daily life look like in Pretoria for housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
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.
How can you approach budgeting, seasonal shifts, and neighborhood fit to maximize quality of life in Pretoria?
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.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.