Cost of Living in Richards Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $601 (excluding rent), and $1,015 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,292 (excluding rent), and $2,118 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.35 R 126

$4.35 R 74.6

$13.61 R 233

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$28.03 R 480

$25.23 R 432

$67.3 R 1,152

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.09 R 87.1

$4.47 R 76.6

$6.79 R 116

Cappuccino

$1.92 R 32.84

$1.1 R 18.86

$2.75 R 47.15

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

$0.93 R 15.94

$0.69 R 11.73

$2.29 R 39.23

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.66 R 11.31

$0.48 R 8.2

$1.61 R 27.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.37 R 23.47

$1.1 R 18.78

$2.74 R 46.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 R 27.9

$1.36 R 23.25

$3.26 R 55.8

Milk (1 liter)

$0.92 R 15.72

$0.82 R 14.05

$1.37 R 23.42

White Bread (500g)

$0.95 R 16.32

$0.64 R 10.94

$1.38 R 23.61

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.47 R 25.24

$1.14 R 19.5

$2.85 R 48.74

Eggs

$2.18 R 37.28

$1.36 R 23.23

$3.4 R 58.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.31 R 125

$4.46 R 76.4

$10.04 R 172

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.46 R 76.4

$2.79 R 47.73

$5.58 R 95.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.28 R 90.5

$4.64 R 79.5

$8.19 R 140

Apples (1kg)

$1.51 R 25.77

$0.83 R 14.15

$2.2 R 37.73

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 R 23.36

$0.55 R 9.41

$2.75 R 47.05

Oranges (1kg)

$1.36 R 23.3

$0.56 R 9.67

$3.67 R 62.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 R 23.26

$0.46 R 7.87

$3.15 R 53.9

Potato (1kg)

$1.15 R 19.71

$0.51 R 8.8

$2.59 R 44.34

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 R 17.6

$0.65 R 11.13

$1.79 R 30.72

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.99 R 16.89

$0.55 R 9.46

$1.93 R 33.1

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 R 15.31

$0.64 R 11.03

$2.15 R 36.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.36 R 40.37

$2.19 R 37.53

$3.84 R 65.7

Wine (Bottle)

$4.95 R 84.8

$3 R 51.4

$9.01 R 154

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.4 R 24.02

$1.04 R 17.81

$2.2 R 37.63

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.69 R 28.99

$1.1 R 18.88

$3.03 R 51.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.58 R 95.6

$0.67 R 11.43

$5.58 R 95.6

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.1 R 1,663

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.65 R 28.32

$1.1 R 18.88

$1.93 R 33.04

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 R 10.5

$0.55 R 9.45

$1.66 R 28.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.82 R 117

$3.5 R 59.9

$6.82 R 117

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 R 22.51

$1.19 R 20.43

$1.5 R 25.63

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

$20.1K R 343.6K

$17K R 290.4K

$28.3K R 484K

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

$24.1K R 412.1K

$20.5K R 350.6K

$38.7K R 663.2K

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

$131 R 2,236

$84.3 R 1,442

$281 R 4,808

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

$29.88 R 511

$14.21 R 243

$46.8 R 801

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.46 R 573

$22.21 R 380

$55.5 R 950

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.56 R 557

$31.15 R 533

$33.98 R 582

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.52 R 77.3

Cinema Ticket

$6.64 R 114

$5.54 R 94.8

$8.3 R 142

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

$91.7 R 1,570

$84.7 R 1,449

$339 R 5,797

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,515 R 43.1K

$1,051 R 18K

$7,388 R 126.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.88 R 734

$17.12 R 293

$97 R 1,660

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.53 R 317

$9.9 R 170

$55 R 942

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.4 R 1,462

$39.15 R 670

$140 R 2,396

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.6 R 1,259

$45.22 R 774

$141 R 2,422

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$389 R 6,664

$222 R 3,808

$403 R 6,902

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$294 R 5,029

$224 R 3,832

$364 R 6,227

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$840 R 14.4K

$448 R 7,672

$840 R 14.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$598 R 10.2K

$556 R 9,525

$640 R 11K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$296 R 5,072

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,062 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: November 29, 2025

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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.