Travel budget and cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) how much does a trip cost?

Johannesburg travel budget

Johannesburg: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Johannesburg

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Johannesburg for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Johannesburg compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Johannesburg in 2024 is 49% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Johannesburg in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Johannesburg by expense type

Restaurant budget in Johannesburg

Lunch

$ 8/person
($ 4.8 to $ 16)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 21/person
($ 14 to $ 41)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 4.3/person
($ 4.2 to $ 5.3)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 2.1 for 500ml
($ 1.2 to $ 4)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 1.4 for 330ml
($ 1 to $ 2.7)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 1.8/cup
($ 1.4 to $ 2.7)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 1.1/can
($ 0.9 to $ 2.1)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.7/bottle
($ 0.5 to $ 2)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Johannesburg

1-star hotel

$ 41/night
($ 15 to $ 151)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142

2-star hotel

$ 59/night
($ 22 to $ 353)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142

3-star hotel

$ 54/night
($ 15 to $ 194)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204

4-star hotel

$ 87/night
($ 26 to $ 423)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 290

5-star hotel

$ 194/night
($ 41 to $ 779)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 500

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 38/month
($ 15 to $ 160)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 141

Room with kitchen

$ 74/month
($ 15 to $ 737)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 75/month
($ 21 to $ 430)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 187

Cottage or guest house

$ 62/month
($ 25 to $ 197)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Family room

$ 126/month
($ 32 to $ 1117)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 191

Supermarket food budget in Johannesburg

Milk

$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.8)

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2% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 1/500g
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 1.6/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 3)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 2/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 2.8)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 4.4/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 6.4)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 1.5/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 1.9)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 1.5/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.3)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 1.2/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 1.8)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 0.9
($ 0.6 to $ 1.2)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Johannesburg

Bus ticket

$ 1.8/ticket
($ 1.1 to $ 4.3)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.1/km
($ 0.5 to $ 2.3)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.4)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.1
($ 0.9 to $ 2.7)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 25/24hrs
($ 19 to $ 39)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 31

Leisure activity budget in Johannesburg

Cinema

$ 6.5/ticket
($ 5.3 to $ 8)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 12/hr
($ 5.3 to $ 16)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Johannesburg

Cigarettes

$ 2.9/pack
($ 2.6 to $ 3.4)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 45
($ 32 to $ 64)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 34
($ 14 to $ 54)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 45

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Johannesburg

$ 1738
(fair price: $ 1388)

London → Johannesburg

$ 751
(fair price: $ 606)

Dublin → Johannesburg

$ 729
(fair price: $ 589)

Melbourne → Johannesburg

$ 1397
(fair price: $ 1125)

New York City → Johannesburg

$ 1280
(fair price: $ 990)

Manchester → Johannesburg

$ 763
(fair price: $ 650)

Book a flight Flight prices to Johannesburg