Pretoria is the most expensive city in South Africa, according to Numbeo’s 2020 city index.
Data group Numbeo have published their Cost of Living indices for 2020, listing the cheapest and most expensive cities to live in South Africa.
The index compares the cost of living relative to the following reference cities: New York City which have an index score of 100 (100%).
The index looks at the relative costs across several categories, including rent, the cost of food, transport and entertainment.
The index also takes the local purchasing power into account.
“Cities in Africa are all in the bottom half of the list, with the most expensive ranked city being Pretoria in South Africa,” Numbeo said.
South African cities were found to be the most expensive cities in Africa, with Pretoria topping the list.
Johannesburg was ranked second most expensive city in South Africa (256th). Cape Town ranked third on the Numbeo ranking (262nd) while Durban was ranked fourth most expensive in Africa (295th).
The indices is based on user-submitted data, and only feature cities where a statistically representative number of submissions are available.
1. Pretoria, South Africa
Score: 46.95
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa.
The city is the traditional centre of government and commerce. Many banks, businesses, large corporations, shops, shopping centres, and other businesses are situated in the city centre so it’s no surprise that the city is the most expensive in South Africa.
2. Johannesburg, South Africa
Score: 45.60
Johannesburg informally known as Jozi or Joburg, is the largest city in South Africa and the wealthiest city in Africa. It is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, which is the wealthiest province in South Africa.
The city has the second highest cost of living of any city in South Africa.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
Score: 44.74
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. Commonly known as the Mother City, it is the largest city of the Western Cape province. It forms part of the City of Cape Town.
The city is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates to South Africa.
In 2019, Cape Town was named the best city on earth by Telegraph Travel Awards.
4. Durban, South Africa
Score:40.04
Durban is the third most populous city in South Africa—after Johannesburg and Cape Town —and the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal.
It has the highest number of dollar millionaires added per year of any South African city with the number having increased 200 percent between 2000 and 2014.
