Hillcrest, located in South Africa, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Understanding the cost of living in Hillcrest is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this vibrant area.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $6.62 on average, with a range between $4.42 and $12.7.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $27.6, with prices ranging from $22.08 to $66.24.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.94, with a range between $3.86 and $5.52.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.1 to $2.48, imported beer $1.38 to $3.04, cappuccino $1.1 to $2.48, and Coke/Pepsi $0.66 to $1.21.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.83 and $1.49 per liter, averaging $0.88.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.55 and $1.1, with an average price of $0.55.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.27 to $2.98, averaging $2.04.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.83 to $1.99 per kg, while oranges range from $0.55 to $3.31 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.5 and $2.48 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.55 to $1.27 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.1 and $1.93.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.21 and $1.46 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.1, with a cost of $0.55 to $1.66 per km and $3.39 to $6.62 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $662.42.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $1104.04.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $82.8 and $276.01, averaging $136.34.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $27.6 to $55.2, with an average cost of $36.03.
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: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$6.62
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$27.60
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.94
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.93
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.79
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.88
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.55
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.04
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.62
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.14
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.48
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$2.76
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.86
Apples (1kg)
$1.32
Oranges (1kg)
$1.10
Potato (1kg)
$1.17
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.95
Rice (white), (1kg)
$0.66
Tomato (1kg)
$1.24
Banana (1kg)
$1.10
Onion (1kg)
$1.13
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$6.01
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$19,872.69
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.66
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.61
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.62
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$23,862.09
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$662.42
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,104.04
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$136.34
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$36.03
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$28.69
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$6.07
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.90
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$28.61
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$86.48
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$69.16
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
11.77%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$200.28
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$4,734.32
Hillcrest Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Hillcrest offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to major urban centers. Dining out is economical, with a variety of options available.

Grocery prices are competitive, making it easy to manage household expenses. Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable public transport and fuel prices.

Housing outside the city centre is reasonably priced, providing good value for families and individuals seeking more space.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hillcrest presents a balanced cost of living with affordable dining, competitive grocery prices, and reasonable housing costs.

This makes it an attractive option for those looking to enjoy a suburban lifestyle with access to urban amenities. Potential residents can benefit from the cost-effective living conditions while enjoying the community's charm.