Umhlanga, a vibrant coastal town in South Africa, is known for its beautiful beaches and bustling lifestyle. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both potential residents and visitors.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Umhlanga, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $16.55 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $49.64.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.96.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer averages $2.76, imported beer $4.14, cappuccino $2.48, and Coke/Pepsi $1.93.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.10 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.99.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $1.99.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.10 per kg, while oranges are $1.38 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $0.99 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.10 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $1.43 per liter.
  • Car Purchase (e.g., Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla) - A Volkswagen Golf costs approximately $20,409.49, while a Toyota Corolla is around $23,719.14.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $551.61.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $661.93.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $992.89.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1103.22.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $992.89.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $1158.38.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment average $121.35.
  • Internet - Internet services average $44.13.
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: Feb, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 2 user contributions, as of the most recent update in August, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$16.55
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$49.64
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.96
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.76
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.48
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.10
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.99
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.99
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.27
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$5.52
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.14
Apples (1kg)
$1.10
Oranges (1kg)
$1.38
Potato (1kg)
$0.99
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.65
Tomato (1kg)
$1.10
Banana (1kg)
$1.38
Onion (1kg)
$1.38
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$6.07
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.43
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$20,409.49
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$23,719.14
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$551.61
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$661.93
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$992.89
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,103.22
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$121.35
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$44.13
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$38.61
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$52.40
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$8.83
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.37
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$38.61
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$137.90
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$82.74
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$992.89
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$1,158.38
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,482.24
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
18%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$248.22
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$7,170.90
Umhlanga Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Umhlanga offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many urban areas, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.

Housing costs vary significantly between the city centre and outskirts, providing options for different budgets.

Transportation costs are moderate, with gasoline prices reflecting typical rates in South Africa.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Umhlanga presents a balanced cost of living with affordable dining and grocery options, alongside varied housing prices.

Potential residents should consider their lifestyle preferences and budget when deciding on accommodation, as prices can vary between the city centre and surrounding areas.