Cost of living in Johannesburg

The cost of living in Johannesburg is significantly lower than in many European cities, such as London, UK and Paris, France. While the average salary in Johannesburg is comparatively lower than in some other expat destinations, life in the city remains affordable, particularly for those earning in a foreign currency such as the US dollar.

Johannesburg is one of the more affordable major cities in South Africa. While grocery prices are similar to Cape Town, rent is significantly cheaper, and salaries tend to be higher to boot. Compared to other major urban centres in the country, Johannesburg offers greater purchasing power, particularly for renting and buying property, enabling a higher standard of living.

Cost of accommodation in Johannesburg

Accommodation in Johannesburg is reasonably priced, so your money will go much further here than in Cape Town. Housing in Johannesburg is cheaper and often roomier. You can easily afford to rent or buy a multi-bedroom house with a spacious yard, pool, and garage.

That being said, accommodation costs in Johannesburg are also affected by the area or suburb you choose to live in. High-income city centre areas such as Sandton are notoriously pricey, while slightly less glamorous but still pleasant areas like Randburg can offer great value for money.

Tenants will also have to budget for utilities and effluent charges, as these are frequently not included in the monthly rental fee.

Finding Accommodation in Johannesburg 
Best Areas and Suburbs in Johannesburg

Cost of transport in Johannesburg

With cars being the main mode of transport in Johannesburg, you’ll need to consider expenses such as petrol and maintenance. In South Africa, petrol is slightly cheaper in coastal cities than in inland cities such as Johannesburg.

Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt are available throughout most of Johannesburg. A few short trips won’t break the bank, but if often used, these services can be a pricey way to get around.

As for public transport, the Gautrain, which runs between Pretoria and Johannesburg, can be a fairly inexpensive way to commute if you happen to live and work close to the train line, which only has 10 stops.

Getting Around in Johannesburg

Cost of groceries in Johannesburg

The cost of day-to-day grocery shopping in Johannesburg is similar to that of most South African cities. The country’s favourable climate allows a wide range of fruits and vegetables to flourish. Fresh produce can be extremely affordable if you stick to whatever is currently in season. As for meat, chicken and pork are cheap, but beef and lamb tend to be pricier. Quality varies between grocery chains.

Four popular chain stores are present throughout the country: Spar, Checkers, Pick n Pay, and Woolworths. On the affordable side is Checkers, which offers good value for money, while Woolworths is the most expensive supermarket but has consistently high-quality goods. Pick n Pay and Spar are pricier than Checkers but significantly cheaper than Woolworths, and their produce is generally in the middle of the road in terms of quality.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Johannesburg

The cost of leisure activities in Johannesburg is similar to other major cities in South Africa, and you should find plenty to do in the City of Gold. Eating out is affordable, and you won't struggle to find activities within your budget.

Imports like electronics, games, and books are more expensive than you might expect, though. It is usually significantly cheaper to buy items such as laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles abroad, even in countries where the currency conversion isn’t in South Africa’s favour.

Lifestyle in Johannesburg

Cost of education in Johannesburg

In general, no-fee public schools in South Africa have a way to go to meet international standards, but some public schools that charge fees or have other forms of income can offer excellent education. That said, you would likely send your children to private or international schools, which offer superlative education at high premiums. You should budget accordingly and apply early to beat the waiting lists.

Education and Schools in Johannesburg 
Private Schools in Johannesburg 
International Schools in Johannesburg

Cost of healthcare in Johannesburg

As the public healthcare system is generally considered inadequate, you may opt for private healthcare services. Although trips to the GP are reasonably priced, specialist treatment, surgery, hospital stays, and chronic medication costs can be high.

To cover these extra expenses, we advise you to take out a comprehensive medical aid policy with a local or international health insurance provider. The cost of a medical aid policy will depend on how comprehensive your coverage is. There may be waiting times ranging from three to 12 months applied to a medical aid policy, during which you may have to pay for healthcare costs out of pocket.

Hospitals and Healthcare in Johannesburg

Cost of living in Johannesburg chart

Prices are listed in South African rand (ZAR) and may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Johannesburg in February 2026.