Cost of Living in South Africa in 2023-2024 (forecast)

Restaurants in South Africa

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 9.51$ 6.54$ – 19.02$
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 33.04$ 24.69$ – 59.73$
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 5.54$ 4.4$ – 7.11$
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 0.99$ 2.13$ – 5.84$
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 3.27$ 3.59$ – 6.4$
Cappuccino (regular) 4.79$ 4.13$ – 4.55$
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 0.1$ 1.68$ – 2.42$
Water (0.33 liter bottle) 1.67$ 3.57$ – 4.13$

Markets in South Africa

Milk (regular), (1 liter) 0.01$ 2.74$ – 2.59$
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 1.9$ 2.57$ – 4.19$
Rice (white), (1kg) 2.43$ 1.85$ – 3.38$
Eggs (regular) (12) 1.22$ 3.02$ – 4.84$
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.87$ 5.54$ – 13.5$
Chicken Fillets (1kg) 2.39$ 3.55$ – 9.75$
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 9.79$ 5.54$ – 12.21$
Apples (1kg) 2.42$ 1.85$ – 3.99$
Banana (1kg) 1.67$ 1.85$ – 3.27$
Oranges (1kg) 3.33$ 1.57$ – 4.84$
Tomato (1kg) 3.4$ 2.85$ – 3.99$
Potato (1kg) 0.1$ 2.41$ – 4.99$
Onion (1kg) 0.17$ 3.57$ – 2.76$
Lettuce (1 head) 0.01$ 1.68$ – 2.3$
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 1.91$ 1.68$ – 2.25$
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 2.54$ 5.84$ – 7.81$
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 3.25$ 1.74$ – 4.15$
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 2.72$ 2.96$ – 5.84$
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 1.84$ 4.55$ – 5.4$

Transportation in South Africa

One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 0.45$ 2.96$ – 4.4$
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 37.71$ 24.69$ – 86.1$
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 0.87$ 2.68$ – 4.27$
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 1.85$ 3.57$ – 2.42$
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 1.68$ 5.84$ – 15.18$
Gasoline (1 liter) 0.3$ 3.13$ – 2.48$
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 19854.38$ 16170.76$ – 25530.63$
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 21658.83$ 18156.4$ – 25531.63$

Utilities (Monthly) in South Africa

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment 106.47$ 58.73$ – 200.56$
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 31.92$ 26.53$ – 36.04$
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 48.16$ 37.04$ – 63.41$

Sports And Leisure in South Africa

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 31.75$ 18.32$ – 57.73$
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 10.8$ 3.84$ – 16.18$
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 4.67$ 5.54$ – 10.08$

Childcare in South Africa

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 188.95$ 121.14$ – 285.66$
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 4141.88$ 1987.64$ – 8171.48$

Clothing And Shoes in South Africa

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 47.25$ 23.69$ – 70.08$
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) 32.54$ 17.18$ – 52$
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 86.76$ 46.39$ – 127.81$
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 76.26$ 40.71$ – 114.47$

Rent Per Month in South Africa

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 428.4$ 258.3$ – 796.26$
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 351.93$ 227.93$ – 512.59$
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 811.73$ 512.59$ – 1420.31$
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 711.13$ 484.23$ – 1136.65$

Buy Apartment Price in South Africa

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre 940.69$ 455.86$ – 2227.77$
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 722.7$ 445.51$ – 1419.31$

Salaries And Financing in South Africa

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 1297.59$ 2$ – 2$
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 7.78$ 8.2$ – 14$

These data are based on 2067 entries in the past 27 months from 17 different contributors.

Last update: August 2023

Our data for each country is based on all entries from all cities in that country.

Cost Of Living in South Africa in 2023

The cost of living in South Africa has been on the rise in recent years. Housing costs in major cities like Cape Town are quite high, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment being around 258$ – 796$. Food prices have also increased, with a standard basket of groceries for a family of four now costing about 500$ per month. Transportation can take a bite out of the average household’s budget too, with bus and metro tickets costing 24$ – 86$ per ride on average. However, some costs are more affordable in South Africa, like healthcare which is heavily subsidized. The monthly energy bill for an average sized house comes out to only 58$ – 200$. While salaries have increased moderately, the overall cost of living in South Africa still remains relatively high compared to other places. People moving here should factor the rising cost of living into their budgets.

Cape Town Weather

Cape Town Map

Cost Of Living Rates & Safety Index in South Africa