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Cost of living in Durban
Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Durban.
One person, a month
ZAR 10,584
Living costs excluding rent
Family of four, a month
ZAR 34,889
Living costs excluding rent
One-bedroom rent, centre
ZAR 7,111
A month
Gross salary, one person
ZAR 248,000
to cover living costs in Durban
Durban's cost of living at a glance
Durban is one of the least expensive cities in South Africa but among the more expensive cities in Africa. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Durban are ZAR 10,584, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are ZAR 34,889 a month, excluding rent.
A single person in Durban may need a gross salary of at least ZAR 248,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
One person's monthly costs
Numbeo household estimate in ZAR, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
How Durban compares
One person's monthly costs in Durban, excluding rent, are 8.3% lower than in the typical city in South Africa and 28.4% lower than in the typical city worldwide.
Where Durban ranks
In South Africa
12th of 15
One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.
In Africa
31st of 92
Cities in Africa with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.
Worldwide
27th percentile
Costs the same as or more than 27% of 1,942 cities: a relatively affordable city.
One-bedroom rent, centre
12th of 15
Cities in South Africa, most expensive first.
Monthly costs against the typical city
- Durban
- Typical national city
- Typical city worldwide
Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.
| Monthly cost | Durban | Typical national city | Typical city worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | ZAR 7,111 | ZAR 7,946 −10.5% | ZAR 12,173 −41.6% |
| Groceries | ZAR 2,864 | ZAR 3,121 −8.2% | ZAR 4,606 −37.8% |
| Eating out | ZAR 1,557 | ZAR 1,809 −13.9% | ZAR 2,593 −40.0% |
| Transport | ZAR 354 | ZAR 896 −60.4% | ZAR 656 −46.0% |
| Utilities | ZAR 3,093 | ZAR 2,809 +10.1% | ZAR 2,863 +8.0% |
| Leisure | ZAR 660 | ZAR 739 −10.7% | ZAR 1,016 −35.0% |
| Total excluding rent | ZAR 10,584 | ZAR 11,548 −8.3% | ZAR 14,781 −28.4% |
| Total including rent | ZAR 17,695 | ZAR 21,123 −16.2% | ZAR 27,430 −35.5% |
Typical = the median of 15 cities in South Africa and 1,942 cities worldwide.
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Explore prices in Durban
The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.
Renting in Durban
Durban is the 4th cheapest city in South Africa for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in South Africa is Alberton.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs ZAR 7,111 a month.
Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs ZAR 6,097 a month.
A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 17% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | ZAR 7,111 | ZAR 5,629– |
| 1-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | ZAR 6,097 | ZAR 4,429– |
| 3-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | ZAR 14,210 | ZAR 9,842– |
| 3-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | ZAR 11,205 | ZAR 8,858– |
| Price per m² in the city centre | ZAR 15,550 | ZAR 13,778– |
| Price per m² outside the centre | ZAR 10,293 | ZAR 8,858– |
Cost of everyday items in Durban
Groceries in Durban are around 6% cheaper than the average for South Africa, while eating out is around 12% cheaper than the country average.
A litre of milk typically costs ZAR 18.53.
A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs ZAR 16.23.
A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs ZAR 59.02.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1 litre | ZAR 18.53 | ZAR 14.76– |
| Fresh white bread, 500g | ZAR 16.23 | ZAR 11.15– |
| Eggs, 12 large | ZAR 38.04 | ZAR 27.54– |
| Local cheese, 1kg | ZAR 129 | ZAR 54.10– |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | ZAR 78.86 | ZAR 41.31– |
| Beef round, 1kg | ZAR 114 | ZAR 88.53– |
| Apples, 1kg | ZAR 27.87 | ZAR 14.76– |
| Oranges, 1kg | ZAR 25.74 | ZAR 11.80– |
| Potatoes, 1kg | ZAR 25.25 | ZAR 14.76– |
| Lettuce, 1 head | ZAR 18.20 | ZAR 9.84– |
| White rice, 1kg | ZAR 26.07 | ZAR 19.67– |
| Tomatoes, 1kg | ZAR 24.10 | ZAR 9.84– |
| Bananas, 1kg | ZAR 25.41 | ZAR 14.76– |
| Onions, 1kg | ZAR 22.46 | ZAR 14.76– |
| Water, 1.5 litre bottle | ZAR 18.20 | ZAR 13.77– |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | ZAR 81.15 | ZAR 53.12– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle | ZAR 26.40 | ZAR 19.67– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | ZAR 34.26 | ZAR 24.59– |
| Cigarettes, 20 pack | ZAR 59.02 | ZAR 51.15– |
Eating out in Durban
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | ZAR 118 | ZAR 78.69– |
| Three-course meal for two | ZAR 591 | ZAR 492– |
| Fast food combo meal | ZAR 88.53 | ZAR 78.69– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught | ZAR 39.35 | ZAR 19.67– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | ZAR 41.81 | ZAR 24.59– |
| Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottle | ZAR 16.56 | ZAR 12.79– |
| Water, 0.33 litre bottle | ZAR 13.12 | ZAR 9.84– |
| Cappuccino | ZAR 38.20 | ZAR 19.67– |
Transport in Durban
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| One-way public transport ticket | ZAR 29.51 | ZAR 24.59– |
| Monthly public transport pass | ZAR 354 | ZAR 354– |
| Gasoline, 1 litre | ZAR 22.13 | ZAR 20.33– |
| Taxi start | ZAR 6.89 | ZAR 6.89– |
| Taxi, per km | ZAR 11.80 | ZAR 11.80– |
| Taxi waiting, 1 hour | ZAR 124 | ZAR 124–ZAR 124 |
| Volkswagen Golf, new | ZAR 579,677 | ZAR 354,302– |
| Toyota Corolla sedan, new | ZAR 494,493 | ZAR 393,669– |
Utilities in Durban
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment Monthly | ZAR 2,607 | ZAR 1,968– |
| Broadband internet Monthly | ZAR 604 | ZAR 476– |
| Mobile phone plan Monthly | ZAR 542 | ZAR 245– |
How is Durban for families?
A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of ZAR 702,000 a year in Durban, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs ZAR 4,943 a month.
A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs ZAR 14,210 a month.
Durban scores 20/100 on Numbeo's safety index.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Family of four, excluding rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | ZAR 34,889 | Not applicable |
| Family of four, including rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | ZAR 49,099 | Not applicable |
| Private preschool or kindergarten Monthly | ZAR 4,943 | ZAR 3,937– |
| International primary school Annual | ZAR 110,034 | ZAR 78,734– |
Leisure and clothing in Durban
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership Monthly | ZAR 510 | ZAR 197– |
| Tennis court rental, 1 hour | ZAR 150 | ZAR 98.37– |
| Cinema ticket | ZAR 103 | ZAR 96.40– |
| Jeans | ZAR 855 | ZAR 492– |
| Summer dress from a chain store | ZAR 497 | ZAR 246– |
| Nike running shoes | ZAR 1,556 | ZAR 984– |
| Men's leather business shoes | ZAR 1,350 | ZAR 984– |
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
What salary do I need to live in Durban?
By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in South Africa, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Durban. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Durban, and where your money goes.
Recommended gross salary
ZAR 247,747
Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Durban, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.
- Take-home pay
- ZAR 200,175
- Living costs
- ZAR 200,175
- Tax and contributions
- ZAR 47,572
Where your salary goes
- Living costsZAR 200,17580.8%
- Income tax and contributionsZAR 47,57219.2%
| Operator | Item | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | ZAR 247,747 | |
| − | Income tax and contributions | ZAR 47,572 |
| = | Take-home pay | ZAR 200,175 |
| − | Rent | ZAR 73,168 |
| − | Groceries | ZAR 34,370 |
| − | Eating out | ZAR 18,684 |
| − | Transport | ZAR 4,251 |
| − | Utilities | ZAR 37,118 |
| − | Leisure | ZAR 7,919 |
| − | Other estimated costs | ZAR 24,665 |
| = | Left over: savings target | ZAR 0 |
ZAR 247,747 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 19.2% effective tax rate and ZAR 47,572 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.
What the estimate includes
- Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
- National income tax for 2026/27
- Employee social contributions, simplified
What it doesn't include
- Regional, state or local income tax
- Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
- Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
- Bonuses, benefits and other income
- Child care or school unless you choose it
Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.
How each cost is worked out
Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Durban costs an estimated ZAR 6,097 per month. ZAR 6,097 per month × 12 months = ZAR 73,168 a year.
Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Durban spends an estimated ZAR 2,864 on groceries per month. ZAR 2,864 per month × 12 months = ZAR 34,370 a year.
Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Durban spends an estimated ZAR 1,557 on eating out per month. ZAR 1,557 per month × 12 months = ZAR 18,684 a year.
Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Durban spends an estimated ZAR 354 on transport per month. ZAR 354 per month × 12 months = ZAR 4,251 a year.
Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Durban spends an estimated ZAR 3,093 on utilities per month. ZAR 3,093 per month × 12 months = ZAR 37,118 a year.
Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Durban spends an estimated ZAR 660 on leisure per month. ZAR 660 per month × 12 months = ZAR 7,919 a year.
Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. ZAR 2,055 per month × 12 months = ZAR 24,665 a year.
See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated
Tax estimate assumptions
Tax year 2026/27. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. Tax year runs 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026. Does not apply the primary tax rebate (R17,235), which effectively exempts the first ~R95,750 of income. No personal allowances, medical credits, or retirement fund deductions applied. UIF ceiling R17,712/month (R212,544/year) per SARS, unchanged since June 2021.
Important
This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, South Africa's tax rules for 2026/27 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries / SARS.
Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.
Cost of living in Durban: common questions
Is Durban expensive to live in?
Durban is one of the least expensive cities in South Africa but among the more expensive cities in Africa.
A single person spends about ZAR 10,584 a month excluding rent, against ZAR 11,548 in the typical city in South Africa (the median of 15 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).
Worldwide, Durban costs the same as or more than 27% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it a relatively affordable city.
What salary do you need to live in Durban?
A single person may need a gross salary of at least ZAR 248,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Durban, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and South Africa's tax rules for 2026/27. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.
How much is rent in Durban?
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs ZAR 7,111 a month, and ZAR 6,097 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.
A three-bedroom apartment costs about ZAR 14,210 a month in the centre and ZAR 11,205 outside it.
Durban is the 4th cheapest city in South Africa for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
How much does a family spend in Durban?
A family of four spends about ZAR 34,889 a month on living costs excluding rent, or ZAR 49,099 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.
With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of ZAR 702,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs ZAR 4,943 a month per child.
How does Durban compare with South Africa's other cities?
Durban ranks 12th of 15 cities in South Africa for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.
Excluding rent, one person's costs are 8.3% less than in the typical city in South Africa.
Where this data comes from
- Living costs and prices
- Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
- Exchange rates
- Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
- Tax rules
- Expatica salary tax calculator, South Africa 2026/27
- Locations and population
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
- Regions for continent ranks
- UN M49 regions
Important
All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.
How living costs and salaries are calculated
- Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
- Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
- "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
- Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
- The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for South Africa (2026/27). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
- Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
- A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 15 cities in South Africa in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
- Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Durban's.
- Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
- Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside South Africa and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
- The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.