Cost of Living in Richards Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $536 (excluding rent), and $1,029 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,281 (excluding rent), and $2,112 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.63 R 125

$4.52 R 74.1

$14.12 R 232

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.13 R 461

$25.32 R 415

$67.5 R 1,107

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.11 R 83.8

$4.49 R 73.7

$6.81 R 112

Cappuccino

$1.92 R 31.54

$1.10 R 18.12

$2.76 R 45.29

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

$0.94 R 15.41

$0.69 R 11.35

$2.31 R 37.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.71 R 11.72

$0.52 R 8.49

$1.74 R 28.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.44 R 23.62

$1.15 R 18.89

$2.88 R 47.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 R 27.99

$1.42 R 23.32

$3.41 R 56.0

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 R 14.85

$0.81 R 13.27

$1.35 R 22.12

White Bread (500g)

$0.92 R 15.12

$0.62 R 10.13

$1.33 R 21.87

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.43 R 23.49

$1.11 R 18.14

$2.77 R 45.36

Eggs

$2.16 R 35.49

$1.35 R 22.12

$3.38 R 55.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.40 R 121

$4.51 R 74.0

$10.16 R 167

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.38 R 71.8

$2.74 R 44.87

$5.47 R 89.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.50 R 90.2

$4.83 R 79.2

$8.52 R 140

Apples (1kg)

$1.56 R 25.57

$0.86 R 14.04

$2.28 R 37.44

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 R 23.43

$0.58 R 9.44

$2.88 R 47.19

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 R 21.86

$0.55 R 9.07

$3.59 R 59.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 R 22.28

$0.46 R 7.54

$3.15 R 51.6

Potato (1kg)

$1.14 R 18.69

$0.51 R 8.34

$2.56 R 42.06

Onion (1kg)

$1.04 R 17.05

$0.66 R 10.78

$1.81 R 29.75

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 R 16.60

$0.57 R 9.30

$1.98 R 32.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 R 14.92

$0.66 R 10.75

$2.19 R 35.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.39 R 39.22

$2.22 R 36.45

$3.89 R 63.8

Wine (Bottle)

$4.93 R 80.8

$3.08 R 50.5

$9.24 R 151

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 R 22.76

$1.03 R 16.87

$2.17 R 35.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 R 28.64

$1.14 R 18.65

$3.13 R 51.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 R 27.66

$0.68 R 11.23

$1.69 R 27.66

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$95.5 R 1,566

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.64 R 26.83

$1.09 R 17.89

$1.91 R 31.31

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.62 R 10.12

$0.56 R 9.11

$1.67 R 27.34

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.83 R 112

$3.51 R 57.5

$6.83 R 112

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 R 21.13

$1.17 R 19.18

$1.47 R 24.06

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

$20.2K R 331.8K

$17.1K R 280.4K

$28.5K R 467.4K

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

$24.6K R 403.6K

$20.9K R 343.3K

$39.6K R 649.5K

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

$132 R 2,165

$85.2 R 1,397

$284 R 4,655

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

$29.37 R 482

$13.97 R 229

$46.00 R 754

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.37 R 547

$22.15 R 363

$55.4 R 908

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.74 R 537

$31.32 R 514

$34.17 R 560

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.40 R 72.2

Cinema Ticket

$6.70 R 110

$5.58 R 91.5

$8.37 R 137

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

$92.0 R 1,509

$84.9 R 1,393

$340 R 5,571

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,454 R 40.2K

$1,026 R 16.8K

$7,210 R 118.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.66 R 683

$16.63 R 273

$94.2 R 1,545

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.73 R 307

$10.01 R 164

$55.6 R 912

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.9 R 1,393

$38.93 R 638

$139 R 2,283

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.5 R 1,189

$44.58 R 731

$139 R 2,287

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$398 R 6,528

$227 R 3,730

$412 R 6,762

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 R 4,728

$220 R 3,602

$357 R 5,853

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$855 R 14.0K

$456 R 7,483

$855 R 14.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$613 R 10.1K

$570 R 9,353

$656 R 10.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$306 R 5,011

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$679 R 11.1K

$478 R 7,840

$766 R 12.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,110 R 18.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.01

10.5

13.2

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Richards Bay Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 Richards Bay - Frequently Asked Questions

Richards Bay offers a balanced coastal lifestyle with practical costs. Cost of Living in Richards Bay, South Africa tends to be friendlier for longer stays than inland metros, thanks to accessible services, quiet residential options, and predictable essentials. You will find value in older apartments and secure complexes near the harbor, plus flexible co-working spots if you are remote. Seasonality affects tourist pockets but not fundamental prices, so choose neighborhoods by commute, safety, and proximity to groceries. For a smooth start, test a short-term rental in a couple of areas before committing to a longer lease. Tip: Start with a month-to-month arrangement to gauge rhythm and costs.

Housing search starts with secure complexes and longer-term options near the harbor or town center; viewing on weekdays helps you dodge peak-season crowds. Richards Bay, South Africa living cost varies by location and building type, with beachfront or riverfront options often more costly but offering quick access to groceries and beaches. Grocery stores and markets range from fresh seafood stalls to reliable staples, while casual eateries along the coast deliver quick meals. Transport tends to be car-focused, though regional buses and rideshares connect key areas; many colleagues work from cafes or coworking spaces. Tip: Build a shortlist from your budget and daily routines, then visit at different times of day.

Quality of life comes from balancing housing costs, utilities, groceries, and personal time. Use a simple budgeting framework: allocate space for housing, transport, groceries, and leisure, adjusting with seasons and workload. Neighborhood fit matters: central town for accessibility, coastal pockets for recreation, quieter inland streets for sleep and savings. Save by cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and choosing energy-efficient appliances; enjoy free outdoor activities like beaches and parks on days off. Tip: Track expenses for a month and keep a flexible plan that shifts with your work and travel pace.