St Francis Bay, a picturesque coastal town in South Africa, offers a unique lifestyle with its charming canals and beautiful beaches. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both potential residents and visitors.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in St Francis Bay, covering dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, 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 $8.83 on average, with a range between $5.52 and $24.84.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $38.64, with prices ranging from $27.6 to $82.8.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $3.31, with a range between $3.31 and $5.52.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.49 to $3.04, imported beer $1.66 to $3.31, cappuccino $1.38 to $2.76, and Coke/Pepsi $0.83 to $1.66.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.83 and $1.32 per liter, averaging $0.83.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.59 and $1.38, with an average price of $0.92.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.32 to $3.31, averaging $2.26.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.55 to $1.93 per kg, while oranges range from $1.1 to $2.76 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.55 and $1.66 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.94 to $1.32 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.23 and $1.38 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.9, with a cost of $0.44 per km and $7.73 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $14,319.38 and $27,600.96, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $19,872.69 to $35,881.25.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The average cost is $170.67, with prices ranging from $138 to $209.77.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - The cost ranges from $1,159.24 to $7,949.08, averaging $4,718.56.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $55.2 and $138, averaging $55.2.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $33.12 to $66.24, with an average cost of $38.64.
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 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$8.83
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$38.64
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$3.31
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.93
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.93
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.83
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.92
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.26
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.62
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.42
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$2.76
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.96
Apples (1kg)
$1.47
Oranges (1kg)
$1.48
Potato (1kg)
$1.25
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.42
Tomato (1kg)
$1.61
Banana (1kg)
$1.35
Onion (1kg)
$1.26
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$8.00
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$18,994.98
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.58
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.44
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.73
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,176.68
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$55.20
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$38.64
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$31.68
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.04
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$8.28
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.64
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$40.83
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$93.44
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$88.32
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
11.93%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$170.67
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$4,718.56
St Francis Bay Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

St Francis Bay offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to major cities, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.

Transportation costs are moderate, especially for fuel, but purchasing a new car can be a significant expense.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, making it easier to manage monthly expenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, St Francis Bay provides a balanced cost of living with affordable dining and grocery options, making it an attractive location for those seeking a coastal lifestyle.

While transportation and housing costs can vary, careful budgeting can help manage these expenses effectively. Overall, St Francis Bay offers a charming and cost-effective living environment.