Cost of Living in Upington - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $530 (excluding rent), and $1,018 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,175 (excluding rent), and $2,191 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.28 R 193

$10.16 R 173

$11.28 R 193

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.03 R 581

$48.2 R 823

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.84 R 82.6

$3.89 R 66.5

$5.56 R 95

Cappuccino

$1.61 R 27.53

$1.42 R 24.24

$1.99 R 33.94

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

$1.03 R 17.52

$0.79 R 13.53

$1.71 R 29.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 R 12.32

$0.59 R 10

$0.88 R 15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.59 R 27.19

$1.48 R 25.29

$1.99 R 33.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.55 R 43.55

$1.7 R 29.04

$4.25 R 72.6

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 R 14.91

White Bread (500g)

$1.11 R 18.88

$1 R 17.02

$1.21 R 20.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 R 28.05

$1.15 R 19.63

$2.41 R 41.19

Eggs

$2.5 R 42.7

$1.37 R 23.45

$4.13 R 70.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.56 R 129

$4.95 R 84.5

$12.85 R 220

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.53 R 77.4

$2.78 R 47.43

$7.09 R 121

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.61 R 113

$4.94 R 84.3

$9.64 R 165

Apples (1kg)

$1.68 R 28.68

$1.1 R 18.71

$2.23 R 38.13

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 R 25.38

$0.97 R 16.58

$2.44 R 41.63

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 R 26.1

$0.74 R 12.62

$2.83 R 48.39

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 R 27.11

$1 R 17.01

$2.13 R 36.37

Potato (1kg)

$1.35 R 23.07

$0.56 R 9.64

$2.26 R 38.56

Onion (1kg)

$1.18 R 20.11

$0.55 R 9.31

$1.91 R 32.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 R 17.87

$0.61 R 10.35

$1.37 R 23.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 R 16.79

$0.7 R 11.97

$1.46 R 25.01

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.48 R 42.39

$2.21 R 37.68

$2.76 R 47.1

Wine (Bottle)

$3.68 R 62.9

$3.54 R 60.4

$3.83 R 65.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.34 R 22.89

$0.87 R 14.81

$2.21 R 37.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 R 28.28

$1 R 17

$2.76 R 47.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 R 28.78

$0.68 R 11.69

$1.69 R 28.78

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.1 R 18.79

$0.88 R 15.1

$2.2 R 37.58

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.9 R 15.42

$0.53 R 9.05

$1.65 R 28.17

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.05 R 69.1

$2.81 R 48.04

$5.63 R 96.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 R 21.72

$1.19 R 20.34

$1.41 R 24.14

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

$21K R 359.2K

$17.1K R 292.4K

$27.7K R 472.7K

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

$24.2K R 413K

$19.8K R 338.9K

$31.2K R 532.6K

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

$118 R 2,013

$72.6 R 1,239

$195 R 3,337

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

$34.73 R 593

$13.01 R 222

$66.5 R 1,135

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.4 R 724

$31.36 R 535

$57 R 974

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.58 R 522

$17.66 R 302

$41.36 R 706

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 R 112

$4.93 R 84.3

$10.96 R 187

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

$197 R 3,371

$112 R 1,917

$267 R 4,553

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,379 R 74.8K

$2,709 R 46.3K

$7,336 R 125.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.4 R 878

$34.27 R 585

$68.6 R 1,171

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.65 R 541

$12.11 R 207

$49.55 R 846

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.3 R 1,492

$49.67 R 848

$138 R 2,356

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.9 R 1,348

$44.31 R 757

$122 R 2,081

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$371 R 6,337

$228 R 3,900

$414 R 7,068

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$331 R 5,645

$250 R 4,265

$444 R 7,583

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$561 R 9,586

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$678 R 11.6K

$495 R 8,451

$839 R 14.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$652 R 11.1K

$388 R 6,628

$795 R 13.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$750 R 12.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.38

11.75

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Upington - Frequently Asked Questions

In Upington, you typically notice a calmer price baseline for everyday needs than in Johannesburg or Cape Town, with smaller rental markets and more compact shopping options. The Cost of Living in Upington is shaped by utilities, groceries, and local services, often translating to lower housing and routine expenses for long-stay visitors who don't require city-style luxury. For digital nomads, retirees, or families seeking space and outdoor access, the town can feel like solid value, especially when you prioritize a little distance from tourist hubs and choose sensible leases. Seasonal tourism nudges prices in peak months, but the overall vibe remains affordable. Tip: Build a simple monthly budget around rent, groceries, transport, and internet to test value.

Daily life in Upington centers on practical comforts and outdoor access. Housing options range from compact flats to family homes in quieter parts of town, with furnished short-term stays handy for transitions; leases often favor longer terms, so you negotiate to fit your schedule. Food comes from reliable supermarkets, local butchers, and farmers markets when in season, along with cafes and eateries offering South African staples and international flavors. Transport is largely car-reliant, and a weekend trip by air can connect you to bigger cities. For work, you’ll find wifi-friendly cafes and a few coworking spaces; expect steady connectivity in business areas and slower pace in residential zones. Upington living cost stays approachable when you plan for seasonal crowds and personal routines. Tip: Build a simple weekly shopping and transit plan to minimize detours.

For quality of life, set a flexible budgeting framework that centers on housing, groceries, transport, and internet, then adapt with the seasons. Spring and autumn bring mild days; summers are dry and hot, so plan energy-conscious habits like shading and efficient cooling. Neighborhood fit depends on desired pace: choose river-adjacent or central areas for walkability and cafes, or quieter residential streets for longer work sessions and family life. Prioritize safety, easy access to groceries, and reliable wifi. When shopping, compare local markets with supermarkets to balance price and freshness. Seasonal events, grape harvests, and tourist activity can influence crowds and noise, so consider a longer-term stay before renting. Tip: set up a short trial stay to test daily rhythms and access to services.