Johannesburg, South Africa

Cost of Living in Johannesburg, South Africa

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Johannesburg costs approximately $1,174 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $489. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Johannesburg is a city in South Africa, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,174 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $489 per month, or $417 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 48 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Johannesburg scores 28/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 79°F and winter highs around 61°F, with roughly 351 sunny days a year.

Family friendlyMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$1,174≈ $39/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$489
Internet48 Mbps
Safety28/100
Avg Temp70°F

Johannesburg Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$12.45
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$43.56
McDonald's Combo Meal$5.76
Cappuccino$2.46
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.80
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.94

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.42
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.10
Eggs (12)$2.51
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.54
Apples (1 lb)$0.91
Bananas (1 lb)$0.85
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.89
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.77
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.11
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$6.22
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$3.42

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2.12
Monthly Transit Pass$93.34
Taxi Start$1
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.50
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.40
VW Golf (New)$36,652.15

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$149.64
Mobile Phone Plan$38.24
Broadband Internet$40.12

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$37.93
Cinema Ticket$8.71
Preschool (Monthly)$228.61
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$5,729.84

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$58.74
Nike Running Shoes$102.67

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$489.05
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$417.26
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,201.93
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$857.43
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$96.76
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$72.14

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$1,678.81
Mortgage Interest Rate11.07%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,709.90
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$756.80

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Johannesburg

Internet48 Mbps
Safety28/100
Healthcare61/100
Public Transit30/100
Walkability22/100
Nightlife50/100
Food Scene70/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture42/100
Air Quality44/100
Green Spaces40/100
Culture60/100
Beaches15/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing5/100
Coworking Spaces45
US Visa-Free90 days

Johannesburg FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Johannesburg?

A single person should budget around $1,174 per month in Johannesburg, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,710 per month.

How much is rent in Johannesburg?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Johannesburg averages $489 per month, dropping to about $417 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,202.

Is Johannesburg safe?

Johannesburg scores 28/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 28/100.

How fast is the internet in Johannesburg?

Median download speeds in Johannesburg are around 48 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 45 coworking spaces in the city.

Does South Africa offer a digital nomad visa?

South Africa does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 90 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Johannesburg?

Johannesburg sees summer highs around 79°F and winter highs near 61°F, with about 351 sunny days and 76 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for South Africa

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