Cost of Living in South Africa
Summary of cost of living in South Africa:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,303.9$ (38,582.5R), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 646.3$ (10,822.7R), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in South Africa is, on average, 46.5% lower than in United States.
- Rent in South Africa is, on average, 67.2% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 180.00 R | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 650.00 R | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 90.00 R | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 40.00 R | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 49.00 R | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 37.43 R | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 18.24 R | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 14.18 R | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 19.64 R | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 15.92 R | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 13.05 R | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 40.78 R | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 61.88 R | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 37.38 R | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 55.50 R | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 12.93 R | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 11.90 R | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 12.37 R | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 12.65 R | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 10.46 R | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 11.00 R | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 19.42 R | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 17.75 R | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 80.00 R | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 24.32 R | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 31.89 R | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 54.00 R | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 25.00 R | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 951.52 R | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 18.00 R | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 24.14 R | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 126.00 R | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 22.41 R | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 589,000.00 R | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 491,653.04 R | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 2,130.61 R | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 577.34 R | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 661.30 R | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 558.28 R | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 174.18 R | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 120.00 R | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 3,610.35 R | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 88,799.44 R | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 880.65 R | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 545.25 R | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 1,640.97 R | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 1,414.53 R | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 8,036.42 R | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 6,545.90 R | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 16,386.47 R | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 12,601.01 R | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,706.58 R | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 1,241.05 R | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 24,121.69 R | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.28 | |
Prices in South Africa
This country had 5116 entries in the past 12 months by 382 different contributors.
Last update: 9 March 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 9 March 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Sources and References
Moving to South Africa? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in South Africa? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for South Africa.
By City in South Africa
Rank |
City |
Cost of Living Index |
Rent Index |
Cost of Living Plus Rent Index |
Groceries Index |
Restaurant Price Index |
Local Purchasing Power Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pretoria | 40.9 | 12.1 | 27.6 | 33.3 | 32.5 | 103.3 | |
| Cape Town | 40.3 | 20.7 | 31.2 | 35.9 | 40.0 | 98.9 | |
| Johannesburg | 40.1 | 13.2 | 27.6 | 35.2 | 37.6 | 112.3 | |
| Durban | 34.5 | 10.5 | 23.4 | 32.0 | 30.2 | 106.2 |
Moving to South Africa? Explore:
Cost of Living by Administrative Unit in South Africa:
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Südafrika
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida na África do Sul
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita in Sudafrica
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie en Afrique du sud
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Sudáfrica
|