Cost of Living in Johannesburg, South Africa
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 309 sunny days a year.
Johannesburg Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Johannesburg
How Johannesburg Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Johannesburg is cheaper than 66% of them, but sits in the bottom 4% for walkability.
| Metric | Johannesburg | World rank | Rank in Africa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,174 | #115 of 340 | #17 of 20 |
| Safety | 28/100 | #329 of 340 | #19 of 20 |
| Healthcare | 61/100 | #237 of 340 | #3 of 20 |
| Internet speed | 48 Mbps | #294 of 340 | #8 of 20 |
| Walkability | 22/100 | #330 of 340 | #19 of 20 |
| Public transit | 30/100 | #199 of 340 | #5 of 20 |
| Food scene | 70/100 | #233 of 340 | #11 of 20 |
| Air quality | 44/100 | #324 of 340 | #19 of 20 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Johannesburg
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Johannesburg.
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — $580/mo, 51% cheaper, safety 42/100 · Compare with Johannesburg
- Nairobi, Kenya — $758/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 36/100
- Cairo, Egypt — $569/mo, 52% cheaper, safety 50/100 · Compare with Johannesburg
- Accra, Ghana — $940/mo, 20% cheaper, safety 62/100 · Compare with Johannesburg
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 excluding rent.
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 309 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 74 days.
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