Finding the most affordable places to live in South Africa isn’t hard. What will bake your noodle is finding a place that’s enjoyable, safe, and offers great value for your money. Humans thrive where they are welcomed, feel loved, and, most importantly – are safe.
Not every affordable place in South Africa has the above attributes, and all expensive places are pleasant to live in. If you are looking to find the perfect balance between affordable (not cheap) and delightful, you’ve come to the right place.
The following are the most affordable places to live in South Africa (for tourists and locals).
George (Western Cape)
George is a magnificent place to live in South Africa, especially for individuals looking to connect with nature. It is the second largest city in the Western Cape and is located on the coast in an area known as the Garden Route.
I must admit, this has to be the most dreamy location in Africa, filled with expansive lands perfect for morning and evening hikes. You’ll love it here if your perfect rest time is gazing into the sunset or sunbathing on the beach over Mother Nature’s landscapes. George is truly breathtaking.
George’s lifestyle is generally pleasant. In addition to its diverse nature, it is quite safe and family-friendly. It has good infrastructure and a growing economy focused on Agriculture, tourism, retail, and manufacturing.
If you visit George, don’t forget to check out its biggest attraction – Garden Route.
George Annual Rent Estimate: R84,000 – R144,000 (a decent two bedroom apartment)
George Average Property Price: Approximately R1.5 million (mid-range family homes).
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Paarl (Western Cape)
Who wouldn’t want to live in wine country? Paarl is one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa, and what’s best is that it’s the wine country of Africa. Think of Italy or France, but more than 7,000 miles away.
Paarl is quite affordable—it’s cheaper than Cape Town and Stellenbosch—so more and more people are moving to this dreamy mountainous region of South Africa. This region is generally safe and is structured in great neighborhoods, including Boschenmeer Golf Estate and Val de Vie Estate.
Paarl is rural but has great amenities: schools, local markets, and healthcare. And what’s best, it is only 45 minutes from Cape Town.
Paarl thrives on agriculture (wine), agrotourism, and small enterprises. Individuals with experience in agriculture, tourism, and business will thrive here.
Paarl Annual Rent Cost: R96,000 – R156,000 (for a decent two-bedroom house).
Paarl estimates property cost: R1.8 million (properties in estates like Val de Vie Estate are pricier).
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is one of the friendliest cities in South Africa. Ironically, it is also one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa. And there’s a good reason – it’s a laid-back region surrounded by national parks and beaches. If you were to bring up your kids in this city, they’d grow up to be happy humans.
You’ll notice that housing and daily expenses are considerably lower than in other metropolitan areas in South Africa, such as Johannesburg or Capetown.
If you are looking to move into Port Elizabeth and are looking for work opportunities, this city is South Africa’s Detroit, but without all the craziness of industry. Think of Detroit in the 1950s, but close to the ocean, near African national parks, and without its harsh winters.
Port Elizabeth Annual Rent Estimate: R72,000 – R120,000 (a decent two-bedroom house).
Port Elizabeth Average Property Price: R1.2 million for a mid-range family house.
East London (Eastern Cape)
If you can get a picture of an English city in the late 70s close to a beach with a slow-paced, laid-back lifestyle, that’s exactly what East London is today. It is also one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa – making it one of the most attractive regions of the country.
You’ll love the weekends at the not-crowded beaches of the coastal city and the great outdoor lifestyle it offers. Weekends are family days in East London, and every family is out on the beach or in nature enjoying a picnic or running around with kites in the open. East London is a fascinating place to live for families – and we pray it remains that way.
Like Port Elizabeth, East London is run by the automotive industry, with the main brand Mercedes-Benz (plant). Shipping and trade also contribute a lot, and thanks to the beaches and its vast nature, this city gets its fair share of tourism during peak seasons.
East London Annual Rent Estimate: R72,000 – R120,000 for a two-bedroom house.
East London Average Property Price: R1 million to R1.3 million for a mid-range house.
Bloemfontein (Free State)
Bloemfontein, also known as the ‘City of Roses,’ is one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa. Thanks to affordable housing, this city is also quite safe compared to larger metropolitan areas like Cape Town.
You’ll love the low cost of living and accessibility to amenities, including schools/educational institutions, markets, and even an airport. Living in Bloemfontein almost feels like it was designed to be affordable. It has so much to offer without hurting your pocket.
Bloemfontein is also an educational and governmental center in South Africa. The economy is mostly supported by public sector jobs and huge commerce. It’s an attractive city for both blue-collar and white-collar workers.
Bloemfontein Annual Resnt Estimate: R60,000 – R96,000 (two bedroom apartment).
Bloemfontein Average Property Price: R900,000 – R1.2 million for a basic family home.
Polokwane (Limpopo Capital)
Polokwane is the official capital city of Limpopo, and if you ever find yourself visiting Limpopo, Polokwane is one of the places on the list. Polokwane is also one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa. Not to be confused with basic, Polokwane is the cheapest place on this list and offers a great quality of life.
Polokwane is a tourist place, and it’s filled with many restaurants, jazz clubs, and museums – you’ll never run out of things to do if you decide to live in Polokwane – and what’s best, you’ll be able to afford it. This city has a low cost of living.
If you enjoy a wild getaway every so often, Polokwane has a game reserve not too far from the city center (10-minute drive) that’s perfect for cooling your nerves after a busy week at work.
Polokwane Annual Rest Estimate: R48,000 – R60,000
Polokwane Average Property Cost: R1 million to R1.2 million.
Hermanus (Western Cape)
Hermanus is another coastal city in South Africa that you’ll enjoy living in. But there’s a catch: the properties tend to get pricier as you approach the beach line ( that’s standard knowledge everywhere, but not in South Africa).
Hermanus’s community is tight-knit, so safety is good, especially if you choose to live in communities like Sandbaai and Voelklip. All in all, Hermanus offers a relaxed, small-town vibe—and with it comes an affordable lifestyle.
Hermanus can be the perfect place for someone who enjoys city life but often wants to get away from all the chaos—it’s close to Cape Town, and you can always check in when you miss that vibrant urban life.
Hermanus is generally a tourist location. There’s a massive wine country, and if you love whale watching, weekends and holidays can be fun. The economy here is season-related due to its touristic vibe, but individuals in tourism and agriculture will thrive all year long.
Annual Rent Estimate: R80,000 – R150,000 (two-bedroom house).
Average Cost of a Mid-Range House: R1.6 million (depending on proximity to the coast).
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Mpumangala
If you love the wild adventure that thrives in Africa and want to be a part of that action, then Mpumangala is your ideal place. It’s also one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa.
Here’s why. Mpumangala is the gateway to the world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. It’s also the logistical hub between Johannesburg and Mozambique, and for individuals moving here for jobs, there’s plenty in store from retail, warehousing, logistics, and tourism.
Mpumangala has that iconic scenic African savanna landscape—you’ll love the weather here, and it offers that unique, charismatic African vibe. This location is also quite secure and affordable, with various amenities, from schools to healthcare.
Annual Rent Estimate for Mpumangala: R66,000 – R108,000 for a two-bedroom house.
Average property Cost in Mpumangala: R1 million for a mid-range family home.
Knysna (Western Cape)
Like Mpumangala, Knysna in the Western Cape is largely a tourist region with recreation facilities. It attracts tourists all year round and best of all, it is regarded as one of the most affordable places to live in South Africa.
If you are artsy, you’ll love it here—the artistic community in Knysna is growing thanks to inspiration drawn from tourism.
Knysna is ideal for remote workers since the economy is primarily dependent on tourism. Retirees will flourish here due to the laid-back lifestyle and ideal weather. If you are creative and looking for a city in South Africa to move to, this is your spot.
The tight-knit community here also helps keep Knysna a generally safe area.
Annual Rent Estimate in Knysna: R84,000 – R132,000 for a two-bedroom house.
Average Cost of a House in Knysna: R1.5 million, with premium homes costing a little bit more.