Where to live in South Africa: the best cities for expats

With its vibrant community, beautiful mountains, breathtaking beaches, incredible wildlife, and lekker cuisine, it is no wonder that so many expats fall in love with South Africa and want to come live there.

The tricky part, however, is deciding on the location. There are so many great places to choose from, and each of the nine provinces can feel a little different.

Whether you’re single or have a family, want a job, or start a business, here are the best cities to live in South Africa:

Cities in South Africa, popular with expats

Cape Town – a sustainable metropolis

Many expats choose to settle in Cape Town (Afrikaans: Kaapstad, Xhosa: iKapa), the country’s seaside ‘Mother City,’ as it is affectionately known by its residents. And for good reason: this picture-perfect metropolis was named the greatest city on earth in the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards.

Its historical buildings attest to Cape Town’s past as a trading port. Today, this city – the second-richest after Johannesburg – is an ideal destination for wealthy South Africans seeking better lifestyle options and investment opportunities.

The CBD (central business district, not the other thing) feels quieter and safer than other urban areas in South Africa. It’s clean, and there are thriving scenes for art, fitness, foodies, and music. But above all, local residents appreciate the city’s outdoorsy lifestyle.

Cape Town has moderate air pollution and is surrounded by sea and mountains. Many Capetonians go for regular hikes, trail runs, beach walks, or bracing swims.

In 2022, it was named the most sustainable city in Africa and, a year later, the greenest city in South Africa. The sprawling metropolis has invested in cleaner public transport, a network of bicycle lanes, conservation of green spaces, and renewable energy to supply power to its 4.98 million residents.

However, living in Cape Town has its drawbacks as well.

The Afropolitan city is not as culturally diverse or racially integrated as, for example, Johannesburg or Durban. Cape Town has a recorded murder rate of 68 per 100,000 inhabitants (2023), and some areas are considered dangerous. Rent and property prices can be high and the city has many power blackouts. In 2023, it also had the most traffic congestion in South Africa and the ninth most in the world.

Pros and cons of moving to Cape Town

Pros	Cons
Thriving cultural and social scenes	High cost of living, low wages
Top schools and universities	High murder rate and not very culturally diverse
Sustainability, green spaces, renewable energy	Rotational power blackouts
Great access to nature	Lots of traffic

Durban – a culturally diverse surfing capital

South Africa’s third largest megacity, Durban (Zulu: eThekwini), is known for three things: its cultural diversity, its balmy weather and beaches, and its relative affordability. It is also the busiest seaport in Africa and one of South Africa’s rising coastal wealth regions.

Once home to the young Mahatma Gandhi, Durban is believed to have the largest Indian population outside of India. Zulus make up just over half of the city’s population (around 3.26 million in 2024), and roughly 25% of the population is White or “Coloured” (a multiracial ethnicity) Africans.

This melting pot mix of cultures and traditions has also created a rich and innovative food scene. For example, Durban is the birthplace of Bunny Chow (spicy curry in a bread bowl), one of South Africa’s most beloved recipes.

Durban has a beautiful setting and was named the greenest city in the world in 2019. Local and expat residents enjoy an affordable, relaxed way of life on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. The waves near South Africa’s surf capital also attract many surfers; in 2024, it hosted the first-ever World Surf League eThekwini Surf Pro competition.

Naturally, life in Durban also has its disadvantages. Often described as a bit of a sleepy town, Durban is less flashy than Cape Town and quieter than Johannesburg and Pretoria. (Though some have suggested this is due to the middle-child syndrome.)

Though there are more dangerous cities in South Africa, the murder rate is 55 per 100,000 inhabitants (2023). While a major center for industry and commerce, salaries are low, with employees earning roughly 8.8% less than the national average (2018).

Pros and cons of moving to Durban

Pros	Cons
Lower cost of living	Low salaries
Culturally diverse with great cuisine	Not much to do for families with children
Sustainability and great access to nature	A sleepy town with a low nightlife
Relatively low crime rate	Moderate murder rate
Good quality education

Johannesburg – South Africa’s economic center

Colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or “The City of Gold,” Johannesburg (Xhosa and Zulu: eGoli) is the world’s largest city that is not located near a body of water. The capital of the Gauteng Province is well known for the sprawling Soweto township, which was once the home of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu (Madiba’s former residence is now the Mandela House Museum).

Today, Joburg is a key player in Africa’s financial landscape, thanks to its strong financial services sector and its role as South Africa’s mining capital.

It’s perhaps understandable then that this is the country’s largest, most populated, and wealthiest city, where expats and South Africans go to pursue their business dreams. Indeed, salaries in this Afropolitan city are higher than the national average, with employees earning roughly 5.7% more than usual (2018).

Even though Johannesburg is known for its urban sprawl, that doesn’t mean there isn’t much nature. In fact, it’s been called the biggest urban forest in the world, with over 10 million trees and 600 parks, open spaces, and gardens. Environmental sustainability is also high on the city government’s action list.

A downside of living in Joburg is the high crime rate, which recorded around 50 murders per 100,000 inhabitants (2023). Many affluent people live in gated communities or neighborhoods with security. So, while culturally diverse, it’s also more segregated than Durban. And similar to Cape Town, Joburg has many power blackouts.

In 2023, the city had the second-most traffic congestion in South Africa. Despite sustainability efforts, pollution also remains higher than in other urban areas.

Pros and cons of moving to Johannesburg

Pros	Cons
Major economic hub	Lots of communing traffic
High wages and relatively affordable housing	High cost of living
Major cultural and social scenes	High crime rate
Urban forest and green spaces	Rotational power blackouts

Pretoria – a beautiful, upscale university-town

Sometimes called the ‘Jacaranda City’ owing to its 70,000-odd jacaranda trees, Pretoria straddles the Apies River and the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountain range. It is much quieter than Johannesburg and many locals and expats choose to live in Pretoria and commute to Joburg, a 50-minute drive away.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that the cost of living is lower in Pretoria than in other major cities in South Africa.

Pretoria is South Africa’s administrative capital, home to the executive branch of the government and all foreign embassies. The Afropolitan city also boasts some of South Africa’s top-rated schools (worth considering if you’re a parent) and is well-known for its universities and national research centers, including the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

While there is a vibrant cultural scene with art galleries and upscale restaurants, Pretoria is considered more orderly and reserved than Joburg. It has a less active nightlife, and residents enjoy a more leisurely lifestyle instead, with sporting and recreational activities.

Rugby is hugely popular in the city, and the Loftus Versfeld Stadium hosts many games throughout the year. On days out, locals soak in nature at the National Botanical Garden or go on a mini-safari in the nearby Rietvlei Nature Reserve.

Of course, life in Pretoria also comes with its disadvantages. As one of the capital cities of South Africa, crime rates are high, and there are often mass demonstrations near the Union Buildings. Heavy traffic is also an inevitable issue. Although English is widely spoken in Pretoria, many locals have Afrikaans as their first language, and expats would do good learning at least a few basic phrases.

Pros and cons of moving to Pretoria

Pros	Cons
Political and academic hub, great schools	High crime rate and lots of demonstrations
Lower cost of living	Lots of traffic
Less active nightlife	Summers are very hot
Major art and social scenes	Less active night life

Where to live in South Africa

Which places in South Africa are most family-friendly?

When you move to South Africa as a family, you’ll most likely seek somewhere that offers quality education and a lifestyle out of the fast lane.

Many expat professionals will find Joburg attractive, with its vibrant urban vibe, large international community, job opportunities, and excellent international schools. Parents should consider Joburg’s ‘Parks’ (i.e., Parkhurst, Parktown North, Parkwood, and Parkview) or the neighborhoods slightly north.

Keep in mind, however, that housing and living costs are higher than in any other South African city. Instead, you may want to check out the Western Cape. Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs come out on top for their educational options. Likewise, towns like Yzerfontein, Churchhaven, and St. Helena Bay are among the safest areas, perfect for families wanting a peaceful lifestyle.

The Garden Route − with its coastal towns, golf estates, forests, and accessibility via George Airport − is another attractive choice. George and Wilderness, for example, are among the top cities to live in South Africa.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the beachy towns of Ballito (North Coast) and Amanzimtoti (South of the CBD) are popular for raising children not too far from the city.

Where are the best cities to retire in South Africa?

Are you thinking of spending your golden years in South Africa? You’d not be alone; many seniors move to the country to enjoy its warm climate, easy lifestyle, natural scenery, and strong sense of community.

If you’re looking to live near the sea, the relaxed towns of Hermanus, Gansbaai, and the Garden Route in the Western Cape, or Margate, Port Shepstone, and Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal may tick most of these boxes. Other sought-after retirement destinations are the quiet seaside towns of Port Alfred, St Francis Bay, and Kenton-on-Sea in the Eastern Cape.

For a more rustic countryside home nearer the mountains, Hilton and Howick are good choices. You may also want to check out Clarens, an artsy Free State town surrounded by the majestic Maluti Mountains.

Expat pensioners who are interested in being nearer Johannesburg or Pretoria may want to consider The Lowveld, including places like Barberton, Hazyview, Malelane, Sabie, and White River. The region has a moderate climate, retirement facilities, and easy access to wildlife destinations, including the Kruger National Park.

Or, if you’re tired of independent living, why not check out these retirement communities and nursing homes across South Africa?

Where to live in South Africa if you are single?

While many people move for work, personal factors are important, too. If you’re single, you’ll want to reside in one of the busier cities, like Joburg or Cape Town. These have a more liberal and cosmopolitan vibe, with more opportunities to meet interesting people and go on dates.

An urban legend states that women outnumber men in Cape Town, making it tricky for single heterosexual women. In reality, the difference is small, with around 99 men for every 101 women.

The most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in South Africa

With a nickname like Rainbow Nation, it’ll come as no surprise that South Africa is more tolerant towards the LGBTQ+ community than many other places in the world.

According to Equaldex, the country scores 71/100, similar to the UK or the US. Around 70% of lesbians, gays, bis, transgender individuals, queers, and others (LGBTQ+) feel safe being out in the open (2024). South Africa also ranks 16^th on the 2023 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index and 29^th on the 2023 Global Trans Rights Index.

Cape Town probably has the largest LGBTQ+ scene in South Africa, albeit small compared to other capital cities. Popular nightlife venues are concentrated in the Waterkant area. The city also hosts annual events, such as the Cape Town Pride Festival and the Mother City Queer Project (MCQP).

While Cape Town takes the crown as the ‘gay capital of Africa,’ Johannesburg still offers a vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ scene. Gay bars and clubs can be found in the suburbs of Illovo, Melville, Parkhurst, and Sandton. Johannesburg Pride takes place in October every year.

Which cities have the most affordable cost of living?

The cost of living across South Africa is generally lower than in many countries in Europe and North America. Typically, housing, groceries, and healthcare may be more expensive in larger cities or the closer you live to the center. More affordable alternatives can be found on the outskirts or in smaller towns.

Some of the most affordable and budget-friendly cities in South Africa include:

• Durban
• Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)
• Kimberly
• Mthatha
• Pietermaritzburg
• Polokwane
• Richards Bay

Which are the best cities to find a job in South Africa?

According to Statistics South Africa, the country’s unemployment rate is 33.5% (August 2024). As such, you’ll face some fierce competition when looking for a job.

The prime location for job hunters is Johannesburg, as this city offers the most employment opportunities and higher salary prospects. Cape Town is – of course – a close second.

Provincially, you will find the most job opportunities in Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The Free State, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape had the fewest vacancies.

It’s worth noting that while Gauteng has the most employment opportunities, it also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country (41.9%). This shows exactly how challenging the labor market is in South Africa.

Which South African cities offer great business opportunities?

When starting a business in South Africa, you need to consider the startup ecosystem of your chosen location, including:

• Number of local investors
• Number of global startup activities
• Local competitors
• Available technology and infrastructure
• Labor laws

Based on these factors, South Africa ranks an optimistic 52^nd out of 100 countries worldwide (2024).

According to StartupBlink, Cape Town, in particular, stands out as a tech hub, drawing foreign investment and skilled talent from across the country. It is also Africa’s hot spot for digital nomads (Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, p. 203).

The metropolis came in first place in South Africa (128^th globally), followed by Johannesburg (139^th), Pretoria (426^th), and Durban (547^th).

Are there any places to avoid in South Africa?

Safety is a valid concern when moving abroad. Crime levels – particularly violent crime – in South Africa’s cities are some of the highest in the world.

In 2022, the most violent city was Nelson Mandela Bay, with 80 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Second and third were Msunduzi (71 per 100,000) and eThekwini (70 per 100,000).

However, just because there are a lot of murders, thefts, and assaults, that doesn’t mean criminals are lurking behind every bush or street lamp. According to a 2023/2024 government survey, around 80.4% of people feel safe walking around their neighborhoods during the day, and 34.9% feel safe at night.

Visit Crimestatssa to see which police precincts have the most reported crimes in the country.

Useful resources

• Statistics South Africa – official government statistics website with more information on cost of living, inflation, and crime
• BusinessTech – website of the largest business news platform in South Africa
• IQ Air – website where you can check the air quality in South Africa