Cost of Living in South Africa: Rent, Housing & Income

South Africa is a large country with very different urban areas. Cape Town sits on the southwest coast, Johannesburg and Pretoria are inland hubs, and Durban lies on the Indian Ocean. The figures here are national averages, and a coastal apartment in Cape Town can cost far more than a house in a smaller inland town. The currency is the rand, which moves against the dollar, so converted amounts change.

The numbers come from Livingcost, which compiles crowd-sourced price reports. They are estimates that update continuously.

The World Bank's price level ratio for South Africa was 41.5 in 2025, with the U.S. at 100. At market exchange rates, the same basket of goods and services cost about 41% of its U.S. price.

GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 15,906 international dollars in 2025 (U.S.: 90,027 international dollars in 2025). Consumer prices rose 3.2% in 2025 (U.S.: 2.9% in 2024).

Livingcost lists $542/mo for one person without rent and $1,116/mo with it. The average salary after tax is listed at $395/mo. That salary is lower than the rent for a central one bedroom in the table below, a reminder that the market has a wide spread of incomes and that visitors with foreign income live in a different price bracket than the average resident.

A one bedroom apartment in a city centre is listed at $579/mo, and a cheaper one bedroom at $417/mo. A three bedroom in the centre is listed at $1,059/mo, against $867/mo for a cheaper one.

The distance between the central and cheaper options is narrower for three bedrooms than for one bedroom. Families who need space often have more choice in suburbs, and the trade is a longer commute. Many rentals are in complexes or gated estates with shared security, and levies or security fees may or may not be in the quoted rent. Ask for a full list of charges.

What to check on a lease

Leases usually require a deposit and proof of income, and the standard term is often a year. Read the notice period and the rules on repairs. Ask the agent how the neighborhood deals with security and whether the building has backup power or water storage.

Utilities for one person are listed at $95.70/mo, an internet plan at $39.70/mo, and a monthly local transport ticket at $60.80/mo.

South Africa has had repeated rolling power cuts, often called load shedding. Many households budget for a backup system such as an inverter, a generator or solar panels, and a rental with backup power can be worth a higher rent. Ask about it directly. Public transport coverage varies widely by city, and many residents depend on a car or on minibus taxis, so the monthly ticket is only part of the picture.

A lunch menu is listed at $10.60 each. A liter of milk is listed at $1.27 each and a dozen eggs at $2.60 each. Supermarket chains are widespread, and local markets and butchers add variety. Restaurants in tourist and wine regions cost more than the lunch figure suggests.

Distances shape the budget as well. Public transport is limited in some cities, so many residents drive, and fuel, insurance and maintenance can rival a rent payment. When you compare neighborhoods, measure the drive to work and to the school, and price the car costs as part of the true cost of each address.

For a family of four, Livingcost lists $2,517/mo including rent and $1,589/mo excluding it. Many families pay for private schools and private medical cover, and neither is itemized here. Ask providers for current fees.

For a visitor earning foreign income, many daily costs look low. For residents earning local wages, the figures are a significant burden, which the salary line shows. Costs that fall outside the national averages, such as security, backup power and private health cover, can add a lot to a middle class household budget.

Water supply can be another consideration in some areas, where municipal restrictions have affected households in dry periods. Ask current tenants how reliable the supply has been, and whether the property has a tank or borehole.

• Which areas have reliable power and water?
• How long is the commute by car or taxi?
• Is the rent inclusive of levies and security?
• What does comprehensive car insurance cost in that area?
• Does the building have fiber internet?

• Health insurance and private medical care
• Visa and permit fees
• Security services and alarm monitoring
• Car ownership, fuel and insurance
• Taxes, which depend on your status

Immigration, tax and healthcare rules depend on nationality and situation. Check the official South African government website and ask a licensed advisor.