Cost of Living in Johannesburg

Summary of cost of living in Johannesburg, South Africa:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 150.00 R 90.00-300.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 700.00 R 500.00-1,500.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 80.00 R 78.00-100.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 40.00 R 22.00-75.88
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 35.00 R 26.00-55.00
Cappuccino (regular) 34.62 R 25.00-40.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 19.00 R 15.00-40.00
Water (12 oz small bottle) 13.25 R 10.00-25.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 75.35 R 56.78-132.49
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 16.13 R 11.33-25.40
Rice (white), (1 lb) 14.17 R 9.07-27.22
Eggs (regular) (12) 37.53 R 21.00-51.98
Local Cheese (1 lb) 62.10 R 36.29-86.18
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 36.80 R 19.50-49.90
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 50.22 R 36.29-81.65
Apples (1 lb) 12.80 R 6.80-18.14
Banana (1 lb) 12.65 R 7.71-18.14
Oranges (1 lb) 11.04 R 5.44-22.68
Tomato (1 lb) 12.84 R 8.16-20.41
Potato (1 lb) 10.34 R 5.44-18.14
Onion (1 lb) 12.26 R 8.62-14.51
Lettuce (1 head) 18.91 R 15.00-23.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 15.50 R 11.99-22.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 100.00 R 60.00-150.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 20.32 R 14.00-35.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 27.43 R 17.00-42.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 55.50 R 50.00-65.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 34.00 R 20.00-80.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 1,386.88 R 700.00-3,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 20.50 R 15.00-50.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 32.19 R 16.09-70.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 70.00 R 50.00-100.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 88.65 R 84.98-94.64
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 350,000.00 R 327,900.00-450,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 422,077.27 R 350,000.00-502,600.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 2,205.77 R 1,200.00-3,800.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 674.52 R 400.00-1,000.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 799.85 R 600.00-1,000.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 616.19 R 300.00-1,000.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 212.92 R 100.00-300.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 120.00 R 100.00-150.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 4,378.26 R 3,500.00-8,000.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 93,045.45 R 48,000.00-180,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 848.36 R 599.00-1,200.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 594.19 R 250.00-879.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 1,517.31 R 899.00-2,099.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 1,540.56 R 700.00-2,099.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 7,324.00 R 5,000.00-10,500.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 6,079.38 R 4,500.00-9,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 13,369.57 R 9,000.00-20,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 11,565.17 R 8,500.00-16,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 1,489.76 R 836.12-2,467.39
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 1,214.34 R 696.77-1,858.05
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 28,034.10 R
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 11.04 9.50-13.00

Prices in Johannesburg

This city had 1840 entries in the past 12 months by 192 different contributors.
Last update: March 2024
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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17 Comments so far
Anonymous on Feb 14, 2024:
Bring back apartied it's over for sa economy bad shape load shedding hoodlums running in the streets monkeys and whites producing zebras disfunctional humans taking up valuable space running rampid bring back apartied bring back apartied please.
Anonymous on Dec 07, 2023:
Anyone who would live in SA is retarded sa is truly a 6th world lost country
Anonymous on Nov 15, 2023:
Hi I am indian, moving to SA for project work with salary of 50k + Accommodation provided by company. is it ok to live there in Johannesburg
Proudly South African on Sep 22, 2023:
Hate breeds hate.

How can SA ever progress as a nation when 'I hate you because you're different' is the mindset? Come on guys.
Black, White, Mixed, Asian, etc... We're human beings at the end of the day. More importantly, we're SOUTH AFRICAN. No other country in the world is as unique as us. Yes we've made mistakes. Nobody in their right mind can truly believe apartheid was a good idea. We should embrace our diversity, stand alongside each other and be proud of who we are as a nation. It's this thinking that made the late Madiba so special. Life is better for all when it's lived in peace. Stop the hate, no matter what colour we are on the outside.
Anonymous on Sep 06, 2023:
All South Africans should stand next to Julius Malema leader of the EFF. He is leading the charge to promote black against white so black South Africans should allow that to happen for these reasons. The UN will immediately drop SA as a member Europe SA number one customer USA SA second biggest customer will cease all trade with SA and that includes many other countries that do business with SA.Yes black South Africans really need to stand right beside Luis Malema killing off all Afrikaners throughout SA after all it's their country only not Afrikaners obviously.
Anonymous on Sep 05, 2023:
What's up with all of the negatives here? South Africa is on a downward spiral economically and many thousands have left already.No ectricity for long periods of time equals no jobs. High unemployment high crime due to total blackouts in many areas.
Looting is common place even unsafe to drive at night in blackout areas. SA is definitely on its way out economically
Anonymous on Sep 05, 2023:
The post by anonymous on SEPT 05 2023 proves how ignorant and unforgiving Afrikaners are.Black South Africans use the term whites in many of their sentences so they're no better than Afrikaners are. Racism seems to rule earth and most seem to be happy bickering amongst themselves so continue the fight until you take your last breath. I promise you nobody cares.
Anonymous on Sep 05, 2023:
Black South Africans don't like white people no matter if they're Afrikaners or not. It doesn't matter which country anyone comes from. If you are white or black you are hated by each other and that's how it really is.
Anonymous on May 22, 2023:
It continually baffles me when people, especially, white South Africans (With emphasis on Afrikaner South Africans) spew so much hate towards South Africa online. If you don't like it here, why don't you move elsewhere?
Anonymous on Jan 25, 2023:
Scathing comments by Anonymous January 24 2023 spot on correct. If something isn't done within the end of this year SA will cease to function.So many missed opportunities for large businesses to come creating badly needed employment but irregular electric reliability is a dead end for us all.
Anonymous on Jan 24, 2023:
Also just remember when electricity is off due to rolling blackouts it's the same price plus tarrifs do the math you cannot afford to live here.Currently 43% unemployment rate and climbing daily.It doesn't matter if you're white black or a zebra highly skilled finding a job that pays well will be a lost cause
Anonymous on Jan 24, 2023:
Furthermore average electricity cost us R 4,500 monthly for our 3bd 2 both home.Double everything listed here is more like it.Eskom run by government 18.6% tartif increase starting February 1st 2023.Locals living in Jburg normally have family working living together is the only reason why they can live here
Anonymous on Jan 24, 2023:
I'm not random but instead native SA Keep in mind I've worked in Chicago, Detroit, and La.Those cities are very safe compared to any big cities in SA.Even small cities are very dangerous.Myself and all of my family live 1 hour outside of Jburg.Crime rates should be above 100 in J burg it's that dangerous.
Rhys Butcher on Jan 16, 2022:
What is the based off of just random people typing in random Data, I Guarantee you that R9.5k without rent etc is insane the majority of people live off a lot less than that per month in Total Inc Rent, food ,water ,power Etc These statistic are way out of bounds
Claire on Aug 24, 2021:
What hasn't been taken into account here is insurance which is a must in SA, you should be prepared to get:
1. Medical Aid
2. Household & car insurance
3. Private security
Alex on Jan 06, 2021:
I live in Johannesburg, and have done so for over 20 years. The average salary unfortunately is not R21 000. The majority of my friends earn on average R10,000-R15,000 after tax. This of course does not take into account highly specialized positions which will earn a much higher amount.
Elizabeth on Dec 12, 2020:
How hard is it to get a job in Johannesburg as an expat? And what kind of jobs are available
I assume you need a work visa, how do you get it? Can it be done while there?
Thanks