Cost of Living in South Africa - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: South Africa
Address: ZA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,020 per month with rent on average across South Africa.

A couple spends around $1,598 per month with rent on average across South Africa.

A family of three spends around $2,175 per month with rent on average across South Africa.

Across 79 cities in South Africa, monthly living costs range from $819 to $1,339 – a $520 difference that makes location a key factor.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.05 R 147

$4.81 R 78.1

$16.97 R 276

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.48 R 642

$28.20 R 458

$67.7 R 1,100

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.94 R 80.3

$4.12 R 66.9

$5.55 R 90.1

Cappuccino

$2.06 R 33.47

$1.15 R 18.65

$2.87 R 46.62

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

$0.95 R 15.40

$0.64 R 10.42

$1.61 R 26.13

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 R 13.13

$0.59 R 9.55

$1.47 R 23.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 R 35.90

$1.32 R 21.48

$3.21 R 52.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 R 40.33

$1.65 R 26.89

$3.59 R 58.3

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 R 18.07

$0.86 R 13.92

$1.71 R 27.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 R 16.64

$0.65 R 10.59

$1.39 R 22.52

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 R 25.28

$1.10 R 17.81

$2.47 R 40.07

Eggs

$2.34 R 38.05

$1.37 R 22.27

$3.44 R 55.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.73 R 126

$5.05 R 82.1

$11.23 R 183

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.49 R 73.1

$2.73 R 44.37

$6.55 R 106

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.73 R 109

$4.97 R 80.7

$9.48 R 154

Apples (1kg)

$1.56 R 25.40

$0.85 R 13.85

$2.21 R 35.95

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 R 23.22

$0.83 R 13.55

$2.50 R 40.64

Oranges (1kg)

$1.44 R 23.48

$0.65 R 10.63

$3.28 R 53.3

Tomato (1kg)

$1.51 R 24.55

$0.83 R 13.48

$1.99 R 32.41

Potato (1kg)

$1.22 R 19.81

$0.55 R 9.02

$2.22 R 36.08

Onion (1kg)

$1.28 R 20.74

$0.76 R 12.35

$1.91 R 31.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 R 16.89

$0.66 R 10.68

$1.37 R 22.31

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 R 15.21

$0.66 R 10.73

$1.38 R 22.41

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.99 R 48.55

$2.59 R 42.04

$3.74 R 60.7

Wine (Bottle)

$5.16 R 83.8

$3.02 R 49.01

$9.06 R 147

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 R 22.55

$0.86 R 14.03

$2.30 R 37.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 R 26.93

$0.98 R 16.00

$2.73 R 44.35

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.63 R 26.48

$0.81 R 13.24

$3.80 R 61.8

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.05 R 732

$25.91 R 421

$90.1 R 1,464

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.13 R 18.41

$0.91 R 14.79

$2.27 R 36.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.10 R 17.93

$0.55 R 8.96

$1.65 R 26.89

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.86 R 78.9

$3.27 R 53.1

$8.57 R 139

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 R 20.15

$1.15 R 18.72

$1.37 R 22.21

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

$20.3K R 330.2K

$17.0K R 277.0K

$27.5K R 446.1K

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

$23.5K R 381.4K

$19.9K R 323.1K

$27.8K R 451.1K

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

$113 R 1,843

$68.1 R 1,106

$227 R 3,688

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

$32.36 R 526

$16.69 R 271

$55.8 R 907

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.45 R 674

$28.20 R 458

$56.4 R 917

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.59 R 513

$16.77 R 272

$54.4 R 884

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.61 R 156

$3.38 R 55.0

$14.10 R 229

Cinema Ticket

$6.83 R 111

$4.84 R 78.6

$11.38 R 185

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

$187 R 3,039

$111 R 1,799

$277 R 4,499

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,362 R 70.9K

$1,951 R 31.7K

$8,362 R 135.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.50 R 804

$28.19 R 458

$67.7 R 1,100

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.42 R 494

$13.86 R 225

$55.5 R 901

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.7 R 1,489

$52.4 R 851

$138 R 2,238

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.9 R 1,281

$44.12 R 717

$121 R 1,974

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$442 R 7,175

$250 R 4,069

$835 R 13.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$367 R 5,963

$252 R 4,088

$559 R 9,084

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$884 R 14.4K

$549 R 8,919

$1,608 R 26.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$723 R 11.8K

$484 R 7,864

$1,139 R 18.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,090 R 17.7K

$582 R 9,452

$2,324 R 37.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$780 R 12.7K

$551 R 8,961

$1,605 R 26.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,558 R 25.3K

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: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $368 nationally. In Cape Town, expect around $765, while Stilbaai – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $357.

The average net salary across South Africa is $1,520 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $1,020, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $171 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $35.00.

Most affordable: Stilbaai at $819 per month. The capital, Cape Town, sits at $1,273. Across the country, monthly costs span roughly $520 between the cheapest and priciest cities.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,020) is 24% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($368) is 41% below the global median of $627.

Dining out ($35.00) is 27% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($16.00) is 52% below the global median of $33.00.

By City in South Africa

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Alberton	-	55	$600	$1,087	$1,471	$2,401	114.93	60.66
2	Alexandra	179624	50	$557	$1,002	$1,352	$2,109	18.71	82.48
3	Amersfoort	12335	50	$542	$981	$1,161	$2,136	45.58	16.41
4	Ballito	-	52	$430	$1,044	$1,291	$1,946	97.55	28.77
5	Bellville	112507	45	$577	$917	$1,014	$1,914	200.21	60.22
6	Benoni	158777	55	$554	$1,125	$1,392	$3,832	64.86	60.66
7	Bhisho	-	52	$561	$1,022	$1,517	$2,216	270.7	42.15
8	Bloemfontein	370000	47	$620	$962	$1,422	$1,960	195.65	42.3
9	Boksburg	260000	52	$648	$1,067	$1,503	$2,248	48.9	60.66
10	Brackenfell	80000	45	$442	$918	$991	$1,883	303.2	60.22
11	Brakpan	-	46	$486	$923	$1,209	$1,960	84.37	60.66
12	Burgersfort	10000	49	$608	$974	$1,322	$2,110	113.06	10.99
13	Cape Town	3740026	64	$615	$1,273	$1,407	$2,693	95.67	81.89
14	Centurion	236580	57	$605	$1,139	$1,807	$2,580	53.97	72.96
15	Durban	3442361	53	$607	$1,058	$1,344	$2,046	19.72	54.93
16	Durbanville	40000	52	$517	$1,010	$1,263	$2,300	129.82	60.22
17	East London	267007	53	$647	$1,075	$1,415	$2,082	239.17	49.78
18	Edenvale	60000	63	$550	$1,260	$1,639	$2,472	307.39	60.66
19	Emalahleni	108673	53	$775	$1,053	$1,917	$2,278	29.79	31.6
20	Fourways	-	49	$508	$997	$1,198	$1,982	246.45	85.46
21	George	-	54	$599	$1,068	$1,553	$2,453	246.24	30.94
22	Grahamstown	67264	50	$572	$1,019	$1,486	$2,154	154.63	13.54
23	Hartebeespoort	-	43	$504	$876	$1,131	$1,899	104.71	19.36
24	Heidelberg, GP	35000	51	$648	$1,045	$1,429	$2,193	250.68	11.37
25	Hermanus	-	57	$573	$1,162	$1,498	$2,492	55.35	34.76
26	Hillcrest	-	66	$485	$1,339	$1,042	$2,435	98.86	52.75
27	Howick	-	44	$356	$862	$1,042	$1,813	41.18	26.06
28	Jeffreys Bay	27107	52	$550	$1,010	$1,421	$2,061	100.07	32.31
29	Johannesburg	4434827	58	$605	$1,179	$1,576	$2,442	189.23	78.13
30	Kempton Park	-	50	$541	$1,017	$1,259	$2,176	38.91	60.66
31	Kimberley	225160	53	$657	$1,038	$1,328	$2,466	27.28	41.85
32	Klerksdorp	186515	48	$534	$963	$1,238	$2,062	101.17	39.28
33	Knysna	51078	55	$603	$1,128	$1,401	$2,157	106.4	35.12
34	Krugersdorp	275000	53	$556	$1,044	$1,501	$2,228	138.94	56.27
35	Kuruman	-	50	$624	$1,018	$1,227	$2,100	36.9	10.3
36	KwaMhlanga	18604	50	$596	$1,003	$1,304	$2,151	41.55	10.86
37	Ladismith, WC	7000	49	$544	$985	$1,492	$2,171	24.03	10.56
38	Louis Trichardt	25360	50	$613	$1,019	$1,481	$2,108	42.09	6.28
39	Margate	-	46	$379	$921	$1,105	$1,911	15.62	42.89
40	Middelburg	87348	51	$481	$1,011	$1,411	$2,092	45	30.18
41	Midrand	-	55	$603	$1,080	$1,137	$2,152	254.71	82.48
42	Mossel Bay	60000	50	$592	$993	$1,388	$2,147	212.9	34.6
43	Nelspruit	110159	50	$555	$1,006	$1,239	$2,137	154.15	24.15
44	Newcastle	363236	49	$542	$982	$1,229	$2,060	36.08	20.95
45	Oudtshoorn	61507	50	$491	$1,016	$1,141	$2,163	92.93	25.59
46	Paarl	112045	49	$610	$954	$1,339	$2,335	38.91	35.53
47	Pietermaritzburg	618536	53	$624	$1,061	$1,572	$2,153	24.4	37.02
48	Plettenberg Bay	-	52	$471	$1,056	$1,397	$2,311	41	23.89
49	Polokwane	628999	41	$555	$820	$1,433	$1,757	40.05	14.46
50	Port Elizabeth	1050000	59	$546	$1,158	$1,399	$2,519	53.03	53.23

South Africa Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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

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.

In 2026, monthly costs in South Africa range from $819 in smaller cities to $1,339 in major hubs. Where you choose to live makes a dramatic difference – the gap between cheapest and most expensive cities is huge.

Living costs across South Africa vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $819 in affordable regions to $1,339 in major cities. Capitals and tourist spots are at the top; smaller provincial towns are significantly cheaper.

Rent in South Africa varies a lot – Cape Town has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

In regional cities, $1,500 is plenty. In Cape Town? You'll need to plan carefully, especially around housing. Shared apartments or outer neighborhoods are the usual workarounds.

South Africa is mid-range globally, with more affordable cities starting around $819 per month. Not the cheapest option out there, but far from the most expensive – a reasonable balance of cost and quality of life.