Last update: Oct 2026 South Africa 463.1K

Cost of Living in Tembisa

For one person, living costs in Tembisa are estimated at $1,105 a month, including rent and utilities, which take just under half of the total. Other living expenses average about $20 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Tembisa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Tembisa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,105 monthly including rent, or $597 excluding housing.

$1,105 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,734 with rent, or $1,029 without housing.

$1,734 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,363 including rent, or $1,462 for daily expenses alone.

$2,363 /mo

Tembisa sits about 19% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are 22% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Currency
Do you live in Tembisa? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.69 R 161
$4.84 R 80.7
$21.20 R 353
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.77 R 663
$30.13 R 502
$72.3 R 1,205
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.82 R 97.0
$4.90 R 81.7
$7.35 R 122
Cappuccino
$2.31 R 38.53
$1.81 R 30.18
$3.11 R 51.8
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 R 18.29
$0.93 R 15.55
$1.88 R 31.27
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 R 13.79
$0.60 R 10.01
$1.80 R 30.04
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.41 R 40.12
$1.51 R 25.10
$3.62 R 60.3
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80 R 46.70
$2.18 R 36.30
$4.05 R 67.5
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 R 19.53
$0.90 R 14.93
$1.80 R 30.03
White Bread (500g)
$1.10 R 18.37
$0.71 R 11.81
$1.44 R 23.95
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.82 R 30.35
$1.26 R 20.92
$2.57 R 42.87
Eggs
$2.54 R 42.40
$1.61 R 26.79
$3.71 R 61.9
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.39 R 140
$5.43 R 90.5
$11.09 R 185
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.91 R 81.9
$3.57 R 59.5
$7.39 R 123
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.19 R 120
$5.38 R 89.7
$11.95 R 199
Apples (1kg)
$1.81 R 30.09
$1.20 R 20.06
$2.40 R 39.96
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 R 28.11
$1.25 R 20.79
$3.11 R 51.8
Oranges (1kg)
$1.73 R 28.76
$0.89 R 14.79
$3.56 R 59.3
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 R 27.71
$1.07 R 17.83
$2.36 R 39.38
Potato (1kg)
$1.46 R 24.26
$0.65 R 10.84
$2.36 R 39.30
Onion (1kg)
$1.45 R 24.12
$0.92 R 15.35
$2.16 R 35.92
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.24 R 20.62
$0.93 R 15.51
$1.75 R 29.15
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16 R 19.41
$0.84 R 13.98
$1.68 R 27.96
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.33 R 55.4
$2.77 R 46.15
$4.92 R 82.0
Wine (Bottle)
$5.03 R 83.8
$3.98 R 66.2
$9.78 R 163
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39 R 23.20
$1.16 R 19.31
$2.67 R 44.45
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 R 32.84
$1.25 R 20.76
$3.36 R 56.0
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.56 R 26.03
$0.81 R 13.53
$1.56 R 26.03
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.64 R 10.61
$0.31 R 5.22
$1.27 R 21.22
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.93 R 15.53
$0.81 R 13.48
$1.43 R 23.90
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.73 R 195
$7.21 R 120
$14.44 R 241
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 R 24.63
$1.23 R 20.56
$1.64 R 27.41
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.3K R 604.7K
$36.0K R 600.5K
$37.5K R 624.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3K R 554.9K
$33.0K R 549.7K
$35.7K R 595.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$149 R 2,479
$91.7 R 1,527
$237 R 3,951
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.37 R 589
$18.25 R 304
$60.8 R 1,014
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.16 R 619
$28.98 R 483
$59.7 R 995
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.03 R 534
$18.01 R 300
$42.03 R 700
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.74 R 179
$1.80 R 30.05
$12.39 R 206
Cinema Ticket
$7.37 R 123
$6.03 R 100
$10.15 R 169
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$247 R 4,116
$153 R 2,547
$367 R 6,114
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,513 R 91.9K
$3,624 R 60.4K
$9,693 R 161.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4 R 906
$36.96 R 616
$80.1 R 1,335
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.07 R 551
$18.25 R 304
$57.8 R 963
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 R 1,687
$60.6 R 1,010
$152 R 2,526
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.2 R 1,486
$61.7 R 1,028
$126 R 2,107
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$392 R 6,537
$257 R 4,274
$422 R 7,040
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$359 R 5,987
$240 R 3,991
$419 R 6,985
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$746 R 12.4K
$492 R 8,199
$923 R 15.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$753 R 12.5K
$549 R 9,155
$931 R 15.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$877 R 14.6K
$475 R 7,918
$877 R 14.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$682 R 11.4K
$544 R 9,057
$719 R 12.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$566 R 9,430
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
10
12.5

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

Last update: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Tembisa $1,105
Accommodation & Living
$359
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$221
Groceries & Markets
$193
Eating Out
$148
Clothing & Footwear
$125
Sport & Entertainment
$47
Getting Around
$12 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $392 for a central one-bedroom, or $359 outside the center. At 69% of the average salary ($566), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $566, while typical expenses reach $1,105. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $193 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $40 for two – broadly in line with the African average.

Cost Highlights

Tembisa is cheaper than 64% globally but more expensive than 86% within Africa.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
19:59 7:59 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
463,109
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ZAR – South African Rand Converter

South African Rand exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 16.66 ZAR (100 ZAR = 6 USD). 1 EUR = 18.55 ZAR (100 ZAR = 5.39 EUR).

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Tembisa Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Tembisa - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Tembisa compare on affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Compared with Johannesburg’s downtown core or coastal hubs, Tembisa often feels like better value for day-to-day living. You can find a mix of housing options that fit different budgets, from simple apartments to more secure complexes, with space to spread out if you’re used to a quieter pace. For work or travel, the area is accessible by major roads and public transport routes to surrounding commercial centers. Cost of Living in Tembisa, South Africa tends to be modest in essentials like groceries and casual meals, which helps your budget go further. Plan a longer stay by exploring a few neighborhoods first to judge safety and ambience. Tip: Start with weekend strolls to feel the rhythm of the area.
What does daily life look like in Tembisa for housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Tembisa blends local markets, practical services, and space to move around without the high price tag of bigger cities. When searching housing, look for secure complexes or flats along main transport arteries; visiting on a weekend and asking current residents helps gauge safety and maintenance. For groceries and meals, you’ll have access to supermarkets and informal stalls with fresh produce – try several spots to compare quality and value. Getting around is flexible: minibuses, taxis, and ride-hail apps cover the area, with walking options in nearby neighborhoods. Tembisa, South Africa living cost remains contained, which makes budgeting straightforward. Tip: plan errands by clustering them to save trips.
What influences quality of life and how can you budget and plan for seasons, neighborhoods, and daily routines?
Quality of life comes from balance, not grand plans. Pick neighborhoods that offer safety, easy access to work or co-working spaces, and nearby shops, parks, and medical services. Build a simple budgeting framework: anchor housing, then daily essentials, then discretionary picks, with regular reviews to spot underused subscriptions or waste. In Tembisa, you’ll often save by cooking at home, buying in bulk at local markets, and choosing transit options suited to your schedule. Seasonality mainly affects travel and outdoor plans – plan flexible days for heat or rain and pick amenities that shield you from extreme weather. Tip: rotate errands to reduce trips and time on the road.
Does Tembisa offer good value for money?
At around $1,105 monthly all-in, Tembisa offers decent value. It’s not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How expensive is daily life in Tembisa?
Everyday life in Tembisa is moderately priced at about $1,105 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Can you get by on an average income in Tembisa?
An average salary of $566 doesn’t cover the $1,105 monthly cost of living in Tembisa for one person renting alone. Locals make it work with shared housing, a second income, or living with family – there’s little room for surprises at this income level.
How much should I budget for housing in Tembisa?
Where you live in Tembisa makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $392; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $359. Overall, the market runs from $359 to $392 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How much should I budget for food per month in Tembisa?
Expect to spend around $193 per month on groceries in Tembisa. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
What does fitness cost in Tembisa?
A regular gym membership in Tembisa costs around $32 monthly. It’s a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
Is $1,500 enough to live comfortably in Tembisa?
$1,500 stretches far in Tembisa – all-in monthly costs average only $1,105. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Tembisa a good city to live in long-term?
Tembisa offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value wellness scene, great local cuisine, multilingual environment, and at around $1,105 per month, it’s accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Tembisa?
Monthly expenses in Tembisa run around $1,105, so putting money aside takes more than $1,658 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
How budget-friendly is Tembisa for travelers?
Budget travel in Tembisa works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,105 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.

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