🇿🇦 Cost of living · South Africa
Johannesburg Cost of Living
Monthly cost of living breakdown for Johannesburg, South Africa
Cost Level: Low
Housing
1BR Apartment — City Center R8,100–15,300/mo (centre); R6,000–11,000/mo (outer)
USD Reference Approx. USD 490–930/mo (1BR centre) · at 2026-08-04 FX rates
Food & Dining
Budget Restaurant / Local Eatery R80–180 (casual); R400–800 (restaurant for 2)
Monthly Groceries R3,000–5,500/mo (groceries)
Transport
Monthly Transport Cost Monthly pass ~R1,000
Gautrain rapid rail + buses + BRT (Rea Vaya); driving common. OR Tambo International (JNB, a busiest in Africa), with Gautrain to the airport and Sandton. Car-centric.
Monthly Budget Summary
Budget Lifestyle (single)
USD 800–1,200
Comfortable Lifestyle (single)
USD 1,200–2,000
Family Budget (2–3 people)
USD 2,500–4,000
Important Note
Data above is approximate and indicative. Actual costs vary by location, personal lifestyle, and exchange rate fluctuations. Verify with local sources after arrival.
Source: RichBay editorial estimate (indicative, not guaranteed)
Estimate baseline: 2026-06-21
How we estimate
- Coverage: the city and its immediate surrounding area.
- Housing: public statistics and current listing ranges (1-bedroom, city-centre baseline).
- Food & transport: supermarket / restaurant reference baskets and official operator fares.
- Currency conversion uses a reference rate; any USD figures are computed at the rate shown.
- Confidence: Medium — an editorial estimate, not a crowdsourced index.
- Cost level is relative to Richbay’s global city set, not an absolute index.
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