aerial view of city near mountain during daytime

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Africa

Affordable cost
Mild climate
Upper middle income

Quick highlights

  • Capital: Pretoria
  • Income level: Upper middle income
  • Currency: ZAR
Cost band
Affordable
Climate
Mild
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
English official
Yes

Country ranking

5.5 / 105.7

Cost of living & financial considerations

Moderate costs in Cape Town and Johannesburg plus security spend. Security and power cuts.

Estimated monthly total

$1,320-$1,760

/ month

Housing (capital, 1BR)

$750/month

Pretoria safer suburbs set rent level

Housing (countryside, 1BR)

$550/month

Smaller towns cheaper but car-needed

Food (home cooking)

$280/month

Local staples ok | imported goods pricey

Food (eating out)

$520/month

Mid-range cafés affordable | daily adds

Healthcare

$220/month

Private medical aid costly but reliable

Transport

$120/month

Car costs and occasional Uber

Utilities + internet

$150/month

Load-shedding raises backup power costs

Financial overall
Sources: WB | IMF
6 / 106
Moderate costs in Cape Town and Johannesburg plus security spend. Security and power cuts.
Financial: Tax
Sources: OECD | WB
6 / 106
Tax compliance is clear but rates can be meaningful.
Financial: Prices & housing
Sources: Numbeo | WB
6 / 106
Good value in some suburbs but security costs add up.
Financial: Banking
Sources: WB Findex
6 / 106
Modern banking but cash and fraud concerns exist.
Financial: Monthly budget
Sources: Numbeo
6 / 106
Comfort depends on location and backup power costs.

Healthcare access & quality

Best private care is in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Outside hubs provider depth drops.

Healthcare overall
Sources: WHO | OECD
6 / 106
Best private care is in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Outside hubs provider depth drops.
Healthcare: Infrastructure
Sources: WHO
6 / 106
Hospitals strongest in major cities.
Healthcare: Insurance
Sources: WHO | OECD
5 / 105
Public coverage varies and private plans fill gaps.
Healthcare: Services & meds
Sources: WHO
6 / 106
Common meds available but some imports cost more.
Healthcare: Wait times
Sources: OECD
5 / 105
Private appointments faster than public waits.

Safety & stability

Safety in Cape Town and Johannesburg varies by area. Security and power cuts.

Safety overall
Sources: WB WGI | UNODC
4 / 104
Safety in Cape Town and Johannesburg varies by area. Security and power cuts.
Safety: Policies
Sources: WB WGI
4 / 104
Enforcement strongest in central districts.
Safety: Crime prevention
Sources: UNODC
4 / 104
Petty theft risk depends on neighborhood.
Safety: Legal framework
Sources: WB WGI
5 / 105
Rule of law is workable but slow processes exist.
Safety: Emergency prep
Sources: UNDRR
4 / 104
Emergency response best in cities and hazards need planning.

Climate & environment

Climate comfort is a daily driver. Security and power cuts.

Climate overall
Sources: WHO | UNEP
7 / 107
Climate comfort is a daily driver. Security and power cuts.
Climate: Weather comfort
Sources: NOAA
7 / 107
Seasonality and humidity shape comfort.
Climate: Air & water
Sources: WHO
8 / 108
Air quality can affect daily routines.
Climate: Nature & greenspace
Sources: UNEP
6 / 106
Nature access is best near coasts mountains or parks.
Climate: Environmental policy
Sources: OECD | UNEP
5 / 105
Environmental enforcement varies by region.

Social & community infrastructure

Expat networks concentrate in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Security and power cuts.

Social overall
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Expat networks concentrate in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Security and power cuts.
Social: Networks
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Social life easiest in expat districts.
Social: Clubs
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Clubs and meetups mostly in large cities.
Social: Language help
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Translation help exists but local language helps most.
Social: Amenities
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Recreation strongest in hubs and tourist regions.
Social: Food
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Dining variety best in major cities.
Social: Entertainment
Sources: UNDP
6 / 106
Entertainment options scale with city size.

Infrastructure & logistics

Connectivity and services strongest in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Security and power cuts.

Infrastructure overall
Sources: WB | ITU
5 / 105
Connectivity and services strongest in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Security and power cuts.
Infrastructure: Transit
Sources: WB
5 / 105
Public transport best in big cities.
Infrastructure: Roads
Sources: WB
5 / 105
Road quality varies by region.
Infrastructure: Mobility mix
Sources: WB
5 / 105
Rideshare helps in cities while cars help outside.
Infrastructure: Internet
Sources: ITU
7 / 107
Broadband and mobile quality best in urban areas.
Infrastructure: Housing quality
Sources: UN Habitat
5 / 105
Housing quality varies by building age and location.
Infrastructure: Utilities
Sources: WB
4 / 104
Utilities reliability varies and outages can happen.

Legal & administrative ease

Residency planning matters for long stays. Security and power cuts.

Legal overall
Sources: WB | OECD
6 / 106
Residency planning matters for long stays. Security and power cuts.
Legal: Visa/residency
Sources: IOM
6 / 106
Visa rules can change and proof of income matters.
Legal: Documentation
Sources: WB
6 / 106
Notarization and translations are common steps.
Legal: Estate/inheritance
Sources: OECD
6 / 106
Estate planning needs local advice for foreigners.
Legal: Admin procedures
Sources: WB
6 / 106
Administrative processes can be slow and in person.
Legal: Bureaucracy
Sources: WB
5 / 105
Paperwork friction is a regular complaint.