🇿🇦 South Africa Relocation Data 2026
Key statistics for expats and relocators
Data updated · Region: Africa · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)
Overall Score
23/100
Global Rank
#89/95
Est. Monthly Cost
$1,450
Dimension Breakdown
Confidence: 84%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Affordability Index | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 56/100 | Moderate |
| Rent | 75/100 | Affordable |
| Property Purchase | 75/100 | Affordable |
| Utilities | 75/100 | Affordable |
| Transport | 51/100 | Moderate |
| Overall (composite) | 40 | higher = more expensive |
Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $1,450 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).
Top Cities in South Africa
| City | Est. Monthly Cost | Cost Index | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | $1,000 | 28 | 38 |
| Johannesburg | $1,300 | 35 | 28 |
| Durban | $1,450 | 40 | 48 |
| Pretoria | $1,450 | 40 | 48 |
Tax Overview
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Top Income Tax Rate | 45% |
| VAT / GST | 15% |
| Corporate Tax | 27% |
| Effective Rate at $60K | 28.4% |
Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)
| Gross Income (USD) | Effective Rate | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 26% | $3,067 |
| $100,000 | 34% | $5,533 |
| $200,000 | 39% | $10,171 |
Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.
Visa Access by Passport
| Passport | Access Level | Max Stay (days) | Work Allowed | Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).
Key Facts
| Capital | Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein |
| Population | 59.3 Million |
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) |
| Languages | 11 Official Languages (English widely mixed) |
| Region | Africa |
| Timezone | SAST (UTC+2) |
| English Proficiency | Very High |
How to Cite
WhereNext. "South Africa Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/za. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.