Cost of Living in Worcester - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $465 (excluding rent), and $882 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,103 (excluding rent), and $1,967 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.66 R 79.5

$16.44 R 281

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.45 R 520

$27.68 R 473

$66.4 R 1,135

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.07 R 69.5

$5.49 R 93.8

Cappuccino

$1.54 R 26.26

$1.43 R 24.42

$2.74 R 46.84

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

$0.68 R 11.65

$0.57 R 9.74

$1.71 R 29.22

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 R 10.89

$0.58 R 9.84

$1.73 R 29.52

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.25 R 38.48

$1.97 R 33.67

$3.38 R 57.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 R 34.45

$1.73 R 29.53

$4.03 R 68.9

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 R 13.06

$0.68 R 11.66

$1.71 R 29.25

White Bread (500g)

$0.89 R 15.13

$0.67 R 11.51

$1.51 R 25.82

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.09 R 18.65

$1.03 R 17.65

$2.84 R 48.46

Eggs

$1.54 R 26.38

$1.32 R 22.52

$3.53 R 60.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.76 R 132

$5.75 R 98.1

$11.49 R 196

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.04 R 68.9

$2.88 R 49.22

$7.49 R 128

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.9 R 101

$5.03 R 85.9

$9.6 R 164

Apples (1kg)

$1.55 R 26.43

$0.96 R 16.41

$2.27 R 38.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.1 R 18.81

$0.88 R 15.11

$2.31 R 39.46

Oranges (1kg)

$1.5 R 25.62

$0.74 R 12.64

$3.36 R 57.3

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 R 20.41

$0.98 R 16.76

$1.85 R 31.52

Potato (1kg)

$0.65 R 11.16

$0.55 R 9.32

$1.64 R 27.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 R 21.17

$0.75 R 12.77

$1.72 R 29.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 R 17.91

$0.82 R 14.06

$1.37 R 23.44

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1 R 17.05

$0.75 R 12.83

$1.44 R 24.61

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.04 R 51.9

$2.49 R 42.46

$3.59 R 61.3

Wine (Bottle)

$5.97 R 102

$3.28 R 56.1

$10.76 R 184

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 R 17.6

$0.82 R 13.95

$2.45 R 41.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 R 30.07

$0.86 R 14.68

$3.44 R 58.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.68 R 28.71

$0.68 R 11.66

$1.68 R 28.71

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 R 24.11

$0.74 R 12.57

$2.82 R 48.23

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.01 R 17.27

$0.68 R 11.57

$1.69 R 28.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.57 R 78.1

$2.75 R 46.91

$5.72 R 97.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 R 19.84

$1.32 R 22.53

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

$21.2K R 362K

$19.2K R 327.8K

$25.1K R 428.7K

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

$24.1K R 411.8K

$20K R 340.9K

$30.5K R 520.9K

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

$56.3 R 961

$197 R 3,363

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

$32.57 R 556

$16.63 R 284

$55.4 R 946

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.92 R 477

$55.8 R 953

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.02 R 530

$17.92 R 306

$41.96 R 717

Cinema Ticket

$6.55 R 112

$4.36 R 74.5

$10.09 R 172

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

$212 R 3,616

$112 R 1,905

$325 R 5,556

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,365 R 91.6K

$2,044 R 34.9K

$9,084 R 155.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 R 953

$42.6 R 727

$68.2 R 1,164

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.09 R 565

$19.72 R 337

$50.7 R 866

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 R 1,962

$68.4 R 1,168

$142 R 2,433

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86 R 1,468

$51.2 R 875

$142 R 2,430

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$360 R 6,151

$222 R 3,785

$402 R 6,861

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$338 R 5,774

$255 R 4,363

$454 R 7,756

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$676 R 11.6K

$442 R 7,545

$828 R 14.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$687 R 11.7K

$502 R 8,567

$850 R 14.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$574 R 9,796

$367 R 6,271

$691 R 11.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$923 R 15.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.77

13.75

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Worcester - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Worcester delivers a practical balance of value and lifestyle for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll notice housing options that tend to be more approachable than major metropolitan centers, with rural-escape charm, reliable services, and a slower pace that helps stretch a budget. The Cost of Living in Worcester, South Africa offers a useful frame for planning meals, utilities, and leisure without the sticker shock common in larger cities. Seasonality, nearby vineyards, and local markets can keep day-to-day costs reasonable if you favor shorter trips for supplies. Tip: Consider longer leases to lock in steadier rents and test different neighborhoods before committing.

Daily life in Worcester blends small-town ease with essential conveniences. Housing options range from compact flats in the town center to larger family homes in quieter suburbs, with leases often longer than those in bigger cities. Food options are diverse: traditional markets, local butchers, supermarkets, and nearby winery eateries add variety without long trips. Transport leans toward car ownership, supported by practical bus routes and growing ride-hailing options; cycling and walking work well in compact areas. For work or study, co-working spaces and cafés provide flexible setups alongside reliable internet. Worcester, South Africa living cost can shift by neighborhood, so shortlist a few areas and visit at different times of day to gauge pace and noise. Tip: Check a few days in peak and off-peak seasons to see how noise and crowds affect your daily routine.

Quality of life in Worcester comes from a mix of pace, proximity to nature, and community feel. A simple budgeting approach helps: separate essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) from discretionary spending (eating out, activities), and build a small buffer for seasonal changes. Neighborhood fit matters: central areas for quick access to cafés and services; quieter outskirts for green spaces and longer commutes; vineyard corridors for weekend leisure. Seasonality affects energy use and food miles, so plan groceries around local markets and harvest calendars. Compare options by walkability, transport links, and safety at different times of day. Tip: test a neighborhood across a week with a real daily routine to see if it matches your rhythm.