Durban ranks 3rd of 7 priced cities in South Africa on cost — $856 a month in essentials, 12% above East London, the cheapest. The average net salary of $1,206 covers that 1.4×. 100.8 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at local municipality level. PM2.5 averages 13.6 µg/m³ a year, 3× the WHO guideline of 5. Jul averages 18°C, Feb 25°C.
Monthly cost breakdown
Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.
| Item | Monthly USD |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed outside centre | $368 |
| Rent, 1-bed city centre | $451 |
| Groceries | $113 |
| Dining out | $164 |
| Utilities | $189 |
| Local transport | $22 |
| Essentials / mo | $856 |
| Avg net salary | $1,206 |
| Rent, 3-bed outside centre | $768 |
| Rent, 3-bed city centre | $850 |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 29, 2026.
Everyday prices
What single items cost in Durban, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.
Eating out
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $7.20 |
| Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses | $37.19 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | $5.40 |
| Cappuccino, regular | $2.69 |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught | $2.40 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle | $2.70 |
| Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L | $1.11 |
| Water, 0.33 L bottle | $0.83 |
Groceries
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Milk, 1 L | $1.31 |
| White bread, 500 g | $0.99 |
| White rice, 1 kg | $1.57 |
| Eggs, 12 | $2.41 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | $8.70 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | $5.23 |
| Apples, 1 kg | $1.87 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | $1.82 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | $1.65 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | $1.55 |
| Onions, 1 kg | $1.44 |
| Water, 1.5 L bottle | $1.18 |
Transport & bills
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket, local transport | $1.89 |
| Monthly transit pass | $21.60 |
| Taxi start | $0.42 |
| Taxi, 1 km | $0.72 |
| Gasoline, 1 L | $1.44 |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² flat | $151.05 |
| Internet, 60 Mbps+ | $37.80 |
| Mobile plan, monthly | $36.06 |
Leisure
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Gym, monthly | $30.98 |
| Cinema, one seat | $6.75 |
Dating-age sex ratio
Durban has 100.8 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (local municipality level). That is the 5th-highest of 10 South Africa cities we track. South Africa's national figure is 99.4, so Durban runs 1 above the country as a whole.
A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.
Climate & air
Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg | Feels | Humidity | Cloud | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24.9°C | 27.4°C | 79% | 60% | 82 mm |
| Feb | 25.1°C | 27.9°C | 80% | 59% | 114 mm |
| Mar | 24.7°C | 27.3°C | 80% | 52% | 74 mm |
| Apr | 22.6°C | 24.1°C | 79% | 49% | 123 mm |
| May | 20.8°C | 21.4°C | 77% | 32% | 81 mm |
| Jun | 18.6°C | 18°C | 71% | 23% | 21 mm |
| Jul | 18°C | 17°C | 70% | 23% | 34 mm |
| Aug | 18.9°C | 18.3°C | 72% | 34% | 32 mm |
| Sep | 20.1°C | 20.2°C | 77% | 51% | 70 mm |
| Oct | 21°C | 21.4°C | 77% | 57% | 92 mm |
| Nov | 22.2°C | 23.4°C | 79% | 65% | 86 mm |
| Dec | 23.8°C | 26°C | 80% | 69% | 112 mm |
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