Cost of Living & Quality of Life in South Africa (2026)
What everyday life costs in South Africa — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Quality of Life Index
- 139.9
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 24.6
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 64
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $432/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $8.35
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $1,334
- 2023
Quality of life trends in South Africa
Typical living costs in South Africa
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $432/mo | 2023 | -16.2% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $329/mo | 2023 | -22.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $830/mo | 2023 | -18.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $97.40/mo | 2023 | -9.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $37.91/mo | 2023 | -27.9% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $31.43/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $8.35 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $33.40 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $1.95 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $47.32 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.30 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $32.62/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $199/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| International primary schoolCountry median of city prices | $835/yr | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $1,334 | 2023 | -6.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 139.9 | 2024 | +0.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 24.6 | 2024 | ±0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 64 | 2024 | +0.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 56.3 | 2024 | -0.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 95.3 | 2024 | ±0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 139.9 | 24.6 | 64 | 56.3 | 95.3 |
| 2023 | 138.8 | 24.6 | 63.7 | 56.4 | 95.3 |
| 2022 | 136 | 23.9 | 64 | 56.6 | 95.3 |
| 2021 | 132.2 | 22.9 | 63.9 | 57 | 95.3 |
| 2020 | 132 | 22.5 | 64.1 | 57.3 | 95.3 |
| 2019 | 135.3 | 23.2 | 62.6 | 56.9 | 96 |
| 2018 | 137.9 | 24.3 | 63 | 62.2 | 96 |
| 2017 | 144.7 | 24.3 | 61.7 | 63.6 | 88.7 |
South Africa compared with Sub-Saharan Africa
Related
- Properties for sale in South Africa
- House prices & rental yields in South Africa
- South Africa market overview
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.