Cost of Living in Durban: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

As a student planning to pursue higher studies in Durban, it’s essential to understand the cost of living in Durban to budget effectively. Durban is a vibrant city with a mix of cultures, beautiful beaches, and a variety of activities, making it an attractive destination for international students. However, managing your living expenses effectively is essential to studying here tension-free.

Durban offers a high quality of life with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in South Africa. Proper budgeting is essential for ensuring a comfortable stay in this lively destination. If you are curious about the essential costs to consider when calculating the average cost of living in Durban, and how to manage them effectively, then this blog is ideal for you. Be sure to read through to the end to gain valuable insights.

Cost of Living in Durban Overview

The average cost of living in Durban for one person, excluding housing rent, is approximately ZAR 10,332, according to Numbeo. When factoring in apartment rent, expenses range from ZAR 5,000 to ZAR 10,000. However, the costs of living in Durban can vary based on lifestyle, location, and personal preferences.

The amount of average cost of living in Durban places it among the top 31% of the least expensive cities in the world. For international students, the cost of living in Durban includes expenses such as housing rent, food, groceries, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. Below is an overview of the average costs across various categories for those considering a move to Durban:

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Costs of Accommodation in Durban

When calculating the cost of living in Durban, accommodation is undoubtedly a significant factor. The expenses for housing vary based on location, size, and type of residence you choose. Typically, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Durban can have a cost of approximately ZAR 6,358.

It’s important to thoroughly research and compare different accommodation options available in Durban. It will help you in finding one that suits your needs and budget. For your convenience, we have gathered data on the average cost of housing in Durban for various apartments both within and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	ZAR 6,358
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	ZAR 12,208
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	ZAR 5,847
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	ZAR 10,388

Cost of a Utility in Durban 

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Durban is typically around ZAR 2,692. The utility expense in Durban can vary depending on usage and the size of the apartment. When planning your monthly budget for the cost of living in Durban, it is crucial to account for utility expenses as they form a significant part of the living costs. Below is a table providing an overview of the average utility bills in Durban:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage	ZAR 26,887
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone	including Calls and 10GB+ Data	ZAR 4,330
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	ZAR 6,006

Costs of Dining in Durban

The cost of eating out in Durban can vary according to the type of restaurant you are dining at, its location, the cuisine and the menu offered. Eating out in Durban can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in Durban. 

Here’s a rough estimate of the average cost of a meal at restaurants in Durban:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal for 2 person (in a Mid-range Restaurant)	ZAR 500
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	ZAR 135
Equal meal. to McDonald’s	ZAR  80
Cappuccino	ZAR 32

Cost of Grocery in Durban

Now you have seen the average food cost at the restaurants in Durban. It’s a wise idea for students to cook food at home. For preparing food at home you can buy the grocery from the local market which can save you some money.  The price of groceries in Durban is relatively low compared to many other major cities in South Africa.

It is essential to compare grocery prices to get the most suitable value for your money. The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the average cost of living in Durban. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in Durban:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	ZAR 19.64
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	ZAR 16.98
Rice (white), (1kg)	ZAR 24.33
Eggs (regular) (12)	ZAR 34.6
Local Cheese (1kg)	ZAR 121.64
Apples (1kg)	ZAR 23.09
Banana (1kg)	ZAR 22.26
Oranges (1kg)	ZAR 18.91
Tomato (1kg)	ZAR 21.44
Potato (1kg)	ZAR 19.61
Onion (1kg)	ZAR 20.09
Lettuce (1 head)	ZAR 17.12
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	ZAR 16.7

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Transportation Costs in Durban

Durban has an extensive public transportation system, including intercity buses, minibuses, taxis, trains, and bicycle rentals. It’s necessary to evaluate transport costs in Durban because they have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in Durban. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the Durban area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	ZAR 687
Ticket for Local Public transport	ZAR 37.50
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km	ZAR 18.50
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting	ZAR120
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	ZAR 23.83

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Miscellaneous Costs in Durban

In addition to the primary categories of cost of living in Durban, several other essential expenses need to be considered while living in Durban by a student. These may include costs for items and activities that you’ll likely need or want after spending some time, such as clothing, entertainment, and minor healthcare services. For your reference we have given below a table detailing some miscellaneous expenses:

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	ZAR 110
Brand Jeans	ZAR 714
Fitness Club	ZAR 600
Summer Dress	ZAR 473
Pair of Sports shoes	ZAR 1,471
Doctor’s visit	ZAR 508

Cost of Living in Durban Compared to Other Cities

Durban is generally considered a relatively affordable city to live in compared to some cities and countries like London, the USA, the UK, Toronto, Dubai, Istanbul, Johannesburg,  Cape Town, and Dublin. However, it has a higher cost of living than Mauritius, and South Africa. To give you an idea of how the cost of living in Durban compares to these cities and countries, we have provided a detailed comparison below. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City/Country Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Durban
Cost of Living in London	ZAR 25,842 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in the USA	ZAR 21,530 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in the UK	ZAR 18,940 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Toronto	ZAR 20,183 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Dubai	ZAR 20,098 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Istanbul	ZAR 11,758 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Johannesburg	ZAR 12,214 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Dublin	ZAR 21,411 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Cape Town	ZAR 11,129 (excluding rent)	Higher than Durban
Cost of Living in Mauritius	ZAR 10,512 (excluding rent)	Approximately equal to Durban
Cost of Living in South Africa	ZAR 10,811 (excluding rent)	Lower than Durban

Average Tuition Fees in Durban

Students can budget more effectively for their preferred university by checking the average tuition fees at Durban universities. Please note that tuition fees of Durban’s Universities may change depending on the university, level of study, field of study and budget you choose. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected Durban universities:

University/College Name	Courses Offered	Tuition Fees (ZAR/year)
University of KwaZulu-Natal	40 Bachelor, 38 Master, 27 PhD	ZAR 5,422
International Hotel School	5 Bachelor	ZAR 8,675
Durban Computer College DCC	1 Bachelor	ZAR 9,181
Thekwini College	16 Bachelor	ZAR 6,506
Durban University of Technology	32 Bachelor, 1 Master, 2 PhD	ZAR 8,837
ICESA City Campus	9 Bachelor	ZAR 8,928
PC Training and Business College	5 Bachelor	ZAR 8,656
Regent Business School	6 Bachelor, 4 Master	ZAR 25,427
Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA)	6 Bachelor, 7 Master, 1 PhD	ZAR 25,301

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Durban

So, this was all about the cost of living in Durban. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.