Cost of Living in South Africa in 2025

*Updated May 2025
How much does it cost to live in South Africa in 2025? Unfortunately, much more than it did in 2024, experts say.

Increased inflation, global economic pressures, and high energy prices driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions have contributed to a higher cost of living in many countries in 2025, including South Africa.

If you want to move to South Africa in 2025, it’s always good to understand the economy you will live in and the cost of living for this year. Let’s get started!

What Does Rent Cost in South Africa?  

Compared to the USA, rent in South Africa is not that high. However, prices range significantly between Johannesburg, the capital, and Cape Town. For example, a 1-bedroom apartment in the center of Johannesburg is R8,100 ($437), while R13,250 ($715) in Cape Town – a 38% increase. Living on the outskirts is very cheap. For instance, a 3-bedroom apartment in the City Center of Cape Town is R26,800 ($1,445) and only R18,500 ($998) outside the center.

As you see, Cape Town has the highest rent prices, with apartments exceeding $1,800 per month for an average 120 sq./m flat, compared to around $1,500 in Johannesburg.

There’s also a deposit, registration fees, and reference check to keep in mind. Landlords of houses or clusters may ask you to pay a deposit for utilities. If you opt for the cluster or house, be ready to do gardening. Otherwise, hiring a gardener will cost you R200 ($11) – R400 ($22) per day, not including breakfast and lunch meals. Yes, you heard it right. Tenants are responsible for providing gardeners with breakfast and lunch.

What Does Food Cost in South Africa?

This year, you’ll witness prices on supermarket shelves continue to rise. Three years have passed since the coronavirus pandemic, and inflation remains a concern. In March 2025, inflation came in at 6.2%. Even with that, South Africa remains one of the most affordable places to buy groceries for your family.

You won’t find much American food here, but there are plenty of delicious South African brands that are very cheap. Major supermarket chains are Checkers, Pick n Pay (PnP), Spar, Shoprite, and Woolworths Food.

How Much Are Utilities in South Africa?

Despite the increase in energy costs globally, South Africa has made strides to minimize its dependency on international oil markets. It imports crude oil from other African producers like Nigeria and Angola.

This means that utility costs in South Africa have remained fairly stable. Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment in Johannesburg are around ZAR1,690 ($91), in Cape Town – ZAR1,450 ($78), and ZAR1,750 ($94) in Durban.

Internet connection is still relatively expensive in South Africa. According to updated data, the average internet price per month is R990 ($53). Yet, most pay over R1,300 ($70) to enjoy the 100 Mbps speed of the internet package.

How Much is Public Transportation in South Africa? 

Public transportation in South Africa is still affordable, with a variety of options. A one-way ticket is R32 ($1.72). A monthly pass will cost R690 ($37). However, the transport system isn’t as refined as in the USA or Europe. For example, local urban buses operate on a restricted mode in the evenings and weekends. Besides, some bus routes are unsafe.

Most South Africans commute to work using minibuses, spending R1,700 ($91) per month on average. As an expat, you are likely to use Uber available in major metropolitans. Taxi drivers charge approximately R14,00 ($0.75) per kilometer.

If you choose to buy a car, it will give you more independence. As of May 2025, the price of 1 liter of petrol in South Africa is R22.14 ($1.19).

The country has trains, but they are not available in every city and are considered unreliable.

How Much is South African Health Insurance in 2025?

For most expats in South Africa, the healthcare system is primarily a private affair because it is much better than the public one.

A visit to the doctor can cost around R70, while a hospital stay can cost up to R1,180 ($63) a night. Your private medical plan will cover most of the expenses.

Prices of private healthcare packages range between R1,200 to R2,500 per month for a family of four.

If you are moving to South Africa for work, your employer might partially cover your health insurance cost.

Are Wages in South Africa Fair in 2025? 

The wage depends on the role and the geographic location. Interestingly, some industries divide South Africa into three zones to set their minimum wage. And there are a host of other rules applied, depending on the sector and other factors that may sound very confusing.

According to Numbeo.com, the average monthly net salary is R24,250 ($1,305).

So hopefully, this will give you some idea of what to expect in terms of the cost of living in South Africa.