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.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 33 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 8.1 per person
  • $ 7.8 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 899* (15932 ZAR)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 59 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 23 per person
  • $ 13 per person
  • $ 7 per person

Total budget:

$ 2003* (35490 ZAR)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 70 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 41 per person
  • $ 23 per person
  • $ 15 per person

Total budget:

$ 3135* (55524 ZAR)

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



Cost of living in Johannesburg compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Johannesburg in 2024 is 46% 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

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Johannesburg is 55% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 12/person
($ 5.6 to $ 26)

43% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 23/person
($ 18 to $ 44)

40% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 4.9/person
($ 4.5 to $ 5.6)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.3 for 500ml
($ 1.2 to $ 4)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 1.5 for 330ml
($ 1 to $ 2.8)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 1.9/cup
($ 1.4 to $ 2.8)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1/can
($ 0.8 to $ 1.7)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.8/bottle
($ 0.5 to $ 1.4)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Johannesburg

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Johannesburg is 66% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 50/night
($ 17 to $ 198)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 66/night
($ 21 to $ 462)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 157
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 51/night
($ 15 to $ 117)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 231
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 88/night
($ 25 to $ 390)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 313
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 204/night
($ 37 to $ 818)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 448
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 49/month
($ 17 to $ 232)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 68/month
($ 16 to $ 500)

72% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 244
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 64/month
($ 19 to $ 266)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 210
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 66/month
($ 23 to $ 207)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Family room
Family room
$ 119/month
($ 31 to $ 876)

43% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 210

Supermarket food budget in Johannesburg

On average, the price of supermarket food in Johannesburg is 52% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.9)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.1/500g
($ 0.8 to $ 1.4)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 1.7/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3.1)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.5/12 eggs
($ 1.4 to $ 3.7)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 4.6/kg
($ 2.5 to $ 6.8)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 1.6/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.2)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.6/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.2)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.4)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.9
($ 0.6 to $ 1.2)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Johannesburg

On average, the price of transport in Johannesburg is 30% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.9/ticket
($ 1 to $ 4.5)

22% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.2/km
($ 0.5 to $ 2.8)

33% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.4)

38% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.2
($ 0.9 to $ 2.3)

67% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Car hire
Car hire
$ 28/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 39)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 73

Leisure activity budget in Johannesburg

On average, budget for leisure activities in Johannesburg is 44% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 7/ticket
($ 5.6 to $ 11)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 13/hr
($ 8.5 to $ 18)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Johannesburg

On average, shopping budget in Johannesburg is 29% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 3.1/pack
($ 2.7 to $ 3.7)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 51
($ 35 to $ 69)

4% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 38
($ 18 to $ 58)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Johannesburg
Sydney → Johannesburg
Sydney → Johannesburg
$ 1662
(fair price: $ 1305)
Edinburgh → Johannesburg
Edinburgh → Johannesburg
Edinburgh → Johannesburg
$ 865
(fair price: $ 729)
London → Johannesburg
London → Johannesburg
London → Johannesburg
$ 963
(fair price: $ 757)
Dublin → Johannesburg
Dublin → Johannesburg
Dublin → Johannesburg
$ 851
(fair price: $ 688)
Melbourne → Johannesburg
Melbourne → Johannesburg
Melbourne → Johannesburg
$ 1467
(fair price: $ 1197)
New York City → Johannesburg
New York City → Johannesburg
New York City → Johannesburg
$ 1369
(fair price: $ 1080)

Book a flight Flight prices to Johannesburg




About this information on the cost of living in Johannesburg

The information about the cost of living in Johannesburg shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Johannesburg was updated on 29-10-2024.

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