MigrantoCost of living in South Africa
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in South Africa
Spending runs from ZAR 1,170 a month in the poorest fifth to ZAR 19,100 in the richest
Per person, whole country
ZAR 3,700
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
ZAR 1,170richest 20%
ZAR 19,100
Where people spend money in South Africa
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in South Africa in numbers
Typical spending takes 15% of the average wage
A typical person spends ZAR 3,700 a month while the average take-home wage is ZAR 25,200, so 85% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
The richest fifth spends 16.3× the poorest
Spending runs from ZAR 1,170 a month in the poorest fifth to ZAR 19,100 in the richest, which is #4 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
Transport takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 16.6% of spending here, or ZAR 619 a month, against 11.3% in a typical country, 5.3 points more.
How living costs in South Africa compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in South Africa against other countries
Cheaper than 69% of countries
Where South Africa sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs ZAR 16,300 at world-middle prices costs ZAR 13,800 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in South Africa
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Cost of living in South Africa
ZAR 1,170/mo
vs ZAR 13,000 in your country
Take-home
ZAR 10,100
vs ZAR 19,500 in your country
Potential savings
ZAR 8,900
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in South Africa?
A typical person in South Africa spends about ZAR 3,700 a month — around ZAR 44,400 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in South Africa?
By spending, South Africa ranks #114 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about ZAR 3,700 a month, the poorest 20% about ZAR 1,170 and the richest 20% about ZAR 19,100. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in South Africa in US dollars?
The cost of living in South Africa is about $227 a month, or roughly $2,724 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in South Africa?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about ZAR 1,170 a month per person, a typical one around ZAR 3,700, and a comfortable life around ZAR 6,110. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in South Africa?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about ZAR 619 a month (17% of spending). Then come transport (ZAR 619, 17%) and housing (ZAR 554, 15%).
Is the average salary in South Africa enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about ZAR 3,700 a month, while the average take-home pay in South Africa is about ZAR 25,200. For more on incomes, see salaries in South Africa.
Is South Africa an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. South Africa is more expensive than 39% of countries worldwide and ranks 7th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
What currency is used in South Africa?
South Africa uses the South African Rand (ZAR). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in South Africa
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