Cost of living in Johannesburg, South Africa

Summary of cost of living in Johannesburg

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: R 47,557
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: R 21,485
  • Johannesburg is the most expensive city in Africa (1 out of 4)
  • Cost of living in Johannesburg is cheaper than in 79% of cities in the World (168 out of 214)

List of prices in Johannesburg
Current as of Sep 2023.

Change the currency:
Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district R 149
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) R 84
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast R 51
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk R 18
12 eggs, large R 42
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes R 27
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese R 75
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples R 29
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes R 25
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket R 24
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality R 104
2 liters of coca-cola R 25
Bread for 2 people for 1 day R 17
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
We need your help! Tell us about prices in Joburg.
Page-elements
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area R 13,948
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area R 11,260
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat R 2,303
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area R 8,356
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area R 6,336
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio R 2,487
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) R 693
40” flat screen tv R 4,848
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) R 1,783
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) R 122
Hourly rate for cleaning help R 60
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) R 852
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) R 585
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) R 1,635
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes R 1,364
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new R 469,950
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas R 24
Monthly ticket public transport R 1,219
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) R 165
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
We need your help! Tell us about prices in Joburg.
Page-elements
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) R 77
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) R 306
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) R 588
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) R 46
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) R 35
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) R 76
4 rolls of toilet paper R 32
Tube of toothpaste R 26
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city R 191
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub R 477
2 tickets to the movies R 236
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) R 820
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert R 712
1 cocktail drink in downtown club R 96
Cappuccino in expat area of the city R 35
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) R 36
Ipad wi-fi 128gb R 10,605
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) R 1.80
1 month of gym membership in business district R 687
1 package of marlboro cigarettes R 49
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 612 prices entered by 75 different people.
Latest price update: September 30, 2023

Moving to Johannesburg with your children?

International Schools in Johannesburg

Joburg position in our World Ranking

the world
168th
out of 214
africa
1st
out of 4

Cheapest and most expensive products in Joburg compared to other cities:

the world
5th
africa
1st
africa
1st
africa
1st
africa
1st
africa
1st

Do you live in Johannesburg? We need your help!

What is the price of

iPad Wi-Fi 128GB

in Johannesburg?

R

International Cost of Living Index

loading...

Prices recently added

  • 1 us gal of whole fat milk in Victoria costs C$1.51 (about 1 hour ago)
  • 1 liter of gasoline in Los Cabos costs Mex$ 25 (about 2 hours ago)
  • Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Frankfurt am Main costs €850 (about 3 hours ago)
  • 1 kg of boneless chicken breast in Christchurch costs NZ$7 (about 4 hours ago)
  • Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) in David costs 9 B/. (about 4 hours ago)
  • Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Kuala Lumpur costs RM140,000 (about 6 hours ago)

Make a different comparison:

Compare cost of living between cities:
vs