Cost of Living in South Africa - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: South Africa
Address: ZA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $607 (excluding rent), and $1,060 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,474 (excluding rent), and $2,251 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.81 R 150

$4.68 R 79.9

$16.52 R 282

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.24 R 670

$28.03 R 479

$67.3 R 1,149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.02 R 85.8

$4.19 R 71.5

$5.64 R 96.4

Cappuccino

$1.95 R 33.32

$1.09 R 18.57

$2.72 R 46.42

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

$0.98 R 16.68

$0.66 R 11.29

$1.66 R 28.31

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 R 12.88

$0.55 R 9.37

$1.37 R 23.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 R 37.78

$1.32 R 22.6

$3.21 R 54.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 R 43.78

$1.71 R 29.19

$3.7 R 63.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 R 18.9

$0.85 R 14.57

$1.71 R 29.13

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 R 17.2

$0.64 R 10.95

$1.36 R 23.28

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 R 26.39

$1.09 R 18.59

$2.45 R 41.83

Eggs

$2.25 R 38.36

$1.31 R 22.45

$3.3 R 56.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.82 R 134

$5.11 R 87.3

$11.36 R 194

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.75 R 81

$2.88 R 49.22

$6.92 R 118

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.92 R 118

$5.11 R 87.3

$9.75 R 167

Apples (1kg)

$1.57 R 26.87

$0.86 R 14.66

$2.23 R 38.04

Banana (1kg)

$1.41 R 24.09

$0.82 R 14.05

$2.47 R 42.15

Oranges (1kg)

$1.51 R 25.86

$0.69 R 11.71

$3.44 R 58.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 R 26.89

$0.86 R 14.76

$2.08 R 35.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.25 R 21.37

$0.57 R 9.73

$2.28 R 38.92

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 R 22.65

$0.79 R 13.49

$1.98 R 33.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 R 18.34

$0.68 R 11.59

$1.42 R 24.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 R 16.61

$0.69 R 11.71

$1.43 R 24.48

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.96 R 50.6

$2.56 R 43.77

$3.7 R 63.2

Wine (Bottle)

$5.05 R 86.3

$2.99 R 51

$8.97 R 153

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.36 R 23.28

$0.85 R 14.48

$2.26 R 38.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 R 28.46

$0.99 R 16.91

$2.74 R 46.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 R 28.28

$0.83 R 14.14

$3.86 R 66

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.78 R 765

$25.75 R 440

$89.6 R 1,530

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.14 R 19.47

$0.92 R 15.65

$2.28 R 38.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.09 R 18.62

$0.55 R 9.31

$1.64 R 27.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.89 R 83.5

$3.29 R 56.2

$8.63 R 147

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 R 21.13

$1.15 R 19.63

$1.36 R 23.29

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

$20.4K R 347.7K

$17.1K R 291.7K

$27.5K R 469.7K

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

$23.4K R 399.9K

$19.8K R 338.8K

$27.7K R 473K

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

$114 R 1,938

$68.1 R 1,163

$227 R 3,878

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

$32.94 R 563

$16.99 R 290

$56.8 R 971

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.83 R 714

$28.46 R 486

$56.9 R 972

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.25 R 534

$16.58 R 283

$53.8 R 919

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.47 R 162

$3.34 R 57

$13.9 R 237

Cinema Ticket

$6.75 R 115

$4.78 R 81.7

$11.25 R 192

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

$187 R 3,194

$111 R 1,891

$277 R 4,727

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,376 R 74.7K

$1,957 R 33.4K

$8,388 R 143.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.78 R 833

$27.78 R 474

$66.7 R 1,139

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.55 R 522

$13.92 R 238

$55.7 R 951

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.5 R 1,614

$54 R 922

$142 R 2,426

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.8 R 1,363

$44.66 R 763

$123 R 2,100

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$451 R 7,696

$256 R 4,364

$852 R 14.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$371 R 6,344

$255 R 4,349

$566 R 9,665

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$880 R 15K

$547 R 9,333

$1,601 R 27.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 R 12.3K

$481 R 8,217

$1,132 R 19.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,115 R 19K

$561 R 9,584

$2,233 R 38.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$787 R 13.4K

$517 R 8,823

$1,504 R 25.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,417 R 24.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.55

9.42

13.4

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in South Africa - Frequently Asked Questions

Many find the Cost of Living in South Africa surprisingly flexible, with options to suit lean budgets or more comfortable setups. Favor walkable neighborhoods, local markets, and reliable public transit to keep daily costs reasonable while still enjoying modern amenities in cities. The range is broad: urban cores can feel pricier, while smaller towns offer more breathing room. Seasonal tourism and exchange-rate shifts can nudge day-to-day expenses, but thoughtful housing and lifestyle choices keep options open. Tip: map a base area that minimizes commutes and maximizes access to coworking spaces and groceries.

Daily life varies by city and neighborhood, but you’ll find a mix of secure apartments, shared housing, and family-friendly blocks with easy grocery access. Cooking at home and shopping at local markets can stretch budgets, while dining out offers variety. Public transit, rideshares, and carpooling provide flexible travel options, and many neighborhoods are walkable enough to reduce commutes. For remote work, look for coworking hubs or cafés with dependable Wi‑Fi. South Africa living cost varies by location, so choose a base that minimizes long trips and maximizes access to essentials. Tip: plan a weekly errand loop to save time and fuel.

Quality of life hinges on fit: cluster where you work or study, prefer climate, and value safety and access to nature, festivals, and dining. A practical budgeting framework focuses on needs first, then flexible spending, with periodic reviews to rebalance when prices shift or seasons change. Track utility use and transportation choices, since electricity and transit costs can vary by season. Neighborhoods with mixed-use layouts and easy access to parks, cafes, and gyms tend to offer sustainable lifestyles for long stays. Tip: build in a quarterly check-in to align housing, transport, and groceries with your routine.