Town in Western Cape, South Africa
Cost of living in Stellenbosch
How much a month costs in Stellenbosch
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,440–2,160 (R24,000–36,000).
Prices in Stellenbosch
Typical 2026 ranges in ZAR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | ZAR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | R10,000–18,000 | $600–1,080 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | R7,000–12,000 | $420–720 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | R250–450 | $15–27 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | R1,500–3,200 | $90–192 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | R70–120 | $4.2–7.2 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | R200–400 | $12–24 |
| Cappuccino | R35–55 | $2.1–3.3 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | R40–70 | $2.4–4.2 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | R70–130 | $4.2–7.8 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | R500–1,100 | $30–66 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | R200–450 | $12–27 |
Value for money: 51/100
A value score of 51/100 means Stellenbosch gives more quality of life per dollar than 50% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 64/100. It's the 8th most affordable of 13 places we cover in South Africa.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across South Africa
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffreys Bay | $1,020–1,620 | 76/100 |
| Port Elizabeth | $1,080–1,680 | 71/100 |
| Knysna | $1,140–1,800 | 69/100 |
| Durban | $1,200–1,920 | 61/100 |
| Pretoria | $1,200–1,920 | 56/100 |
| Hermanus | $1,320–2,040 | 57/100 |
| Plettenberg Bay | $1,320–2,040 | 60/100 |
| Stellenbosch | $1,440–2,160 | 51/100 |
| Johannesburg | $1,440–2,280 | 32/100 |
| Umhlanga | $1,440–2,280 | 52/100 |
| Franschhoek | $1,560–2,400 | 43/100 |
| Cape Town | $1,680–2,520 | 26/100 |
| Kruger National Park | $1,800–3,000 | 32/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Stellenbosch
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Stellenbosch?
About $720–1,020 on a lean budget, $1,440–2,160 for a comfortable month and $3,000–5,100 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Stellenbosch?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs R10,000–18,000 ($600–1,080) a month in the center and R7,000–12,000 ($420–720) outside it.
How much does food cost in Stellenbosch?
A local meal is R70–120 ($4.2–7.2); a mid-range restaurant is R200–400 ($12–24) per person.
Is South Africa expensive?
Prices in South Africa are about 42% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Stellenbosch
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Airports Company South Africa
- Stellenbosch Municipality
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.