Brakpan, located in South Africa, offers a unique blend of suburban living with access to urban amenities. Understanding the cost of living in Brakpan is crucial for both residents and newcomers, as it impacts budgeting and lifestyle choices.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Brakpan, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $5.52 on average.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.42.
  • Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - An imported beer costs around $1.10.
  • Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A bottle of Coke or Pepsi is priced at $1.10.
  • Water (0.33 liter bottle) - A small bottle of water costs $0.55.
  • Cappuccino (regular) - A regular cappuccino is priced at $1.38.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.88 and $1.05 per liter, averaging $0.96.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.66 and $1.27, with an average price of $1.00.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.77 to $2.43, averaging $2.13.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs between $4.91 and $13.25 per kg, averaging $9.49.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.55 to $1.66 per kg, while oranges range from $0.83 to $1.38 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.61 and $1.38 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.83 to $1.05 per head.
  • Rice (white), (1kg) - Rice is priced between $0.72 and $1.32 per kg, averaging $1.09.
  • Tomato (1kg) - Tomatoes cost between $1.10 and $1.38 per kg, averaging $1.29.
  • Banana (1kg) - Bananas range from $0.83 to $1.93 per kg, averaging $1.23.
  • Onion (1kg) - Onions are priced between $0.55 and $1.77 per kg, averaging $1.14.
  • Beef Round (1kg) - Beef round costs between $3.86 and $10.49 per kg, averaging $6.25.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.21 and $1.29 per liter, averaging $1.25.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $331.15.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $220.76 to $275.95, averaging $248.36.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $358.74 to $551.91, averaging $455.33.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent is fixed at $441.53.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment average $137.98.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $30.08 to $55.19, with an average cost of $41.85.
Worldwide
South Africa

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for South Africa are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in South Africa, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Jan, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 6 user contributions, as of the most recent update in December, 2023.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$5.52
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.42
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.38
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.96
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.00
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.13
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.49
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.28
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$2.87
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.08
Apples (1kg)
$1.16
Oranges (1kg)
$1.14
Potato (1kg)
$1.07
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.90
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.09
Tomato (1kg)
$1.29
Banana (1kg)
$1.23
Onion (1kg)
$1.14
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$6.25
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$331.15
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$248.36
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$455.33
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$441.53
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$137.98
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$41.85
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$16.50
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$800.27
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$82.79
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$2,649.17
Brakpan Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Brakpan offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger South African cities. Dining out and grocery shopping are budget-friendly, with low prices for essentials like milk and bread.

Housing is particularly affordable, especially outside the city centre, making it an attractive option for families and individuals seeking cost-effective living arrangements.

Transportation costs are moderate, with gasoline prices being a significant factor for those who commute by car.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Brakpan presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable housing and reasonable prices for dining and groceries. This makes it an appealing choice for those looking to balance quality of life with financial considerations.

Potential residents should consider the relatively low cost of living as a significant advantage, especially when planning long-term stays or relocations.