South Africa’s most affordable metro for retirees

Someone who retired in 2011 would need more than double what they had 15 years ago to maintain the same lifestyle.

Living in an affordable metro can help stretch your post-retirement budget.

There are layers to affordability.

Affordable housing isn’t the only metric that matters.

Electricity, rates and taxes, and levies all play a part.

Safety is another key metric.

Does it matter if you’re living in the cheapest metro if you feel unsafe at all times?

Crime can happen anywhere, but it happens less frequently in safer areas.

Which Metro is Most Affordable?

Retirees will spend the least in Johannesburg.

The metro is most affordable in terms of monthly spend whether you include or exclude a bond.

But the metro is the second-most dangerous.

If you don’t need a bond, Pretoria is the most affordable metro.

According to Property24 data, the city has the lowest rates and the lowest starting levies.

If you need a bond, Durban is the most affordable metro.

The city has the most affordable housing, but rates and taxes aren’t cheaper than Pretoria.

Cape Town is the most expensive and the least safe metro.

Although the city is home to the safest coastal suburb, to live in safer areas, retirees will need at least R3 million for a home, R1 400 for rates and R3 500 for levies.

How Metros Compare for Retirees

Stressing about money in your golden years is not something you dream of doing.

But when you underestimate how much you need to live comfortably, that stress is inevitable.

This should help you understand which metro gives you the most bang for your post-retirement buck.

Johannesburg

Bargain-hunting retirees can get a 1-bedroom flat in Parkwood, located in one of Johannesburg’s safer neighbourhoods, for R680 000.

In the 12 months ending March 2026, only 11 residential burglaries were reported in the Rosebank precinct, which includes Parkwood.

Rates and levies for a modest flat will be less than R2 000 a month.

Item	Value
Average house price	R901 500
Rates and taxes	R200 – R5 600
Levies	R1 989 – R10 000
Electricity (450 kWh)	R1 559.79
Crime rate	3.6%
Total (incl. bond)	R12 859.79
Total (excl. bond)	R4 759.79

Pretoria

Retirees can get space and affordability in one of Pretoria’s safest suburbs: Daspoort.

A modest 2-bedroom home will set a retiree back R1 050 000, and rates would be roughly R890 a month.

Item	Value
Average house price	R1 295 000
Rate and taxes	R210 – R4 372
Levies	R2 893 – R10 038
Electricity (450 kWh)	R1 669
Crime rate*	2.99%
Total (incl. bond)	R16 358
Total (excl. bond)	R4 772

Durban

Durban is the more affordable of the country’s two coastal metros.

Most of that affordability is linked to house prices, rates, and levies.

However, for other expenses like electricity, it’s only 3.5% cheaper than Cape Town.

While the crime rate is 2.9%, crime within the city is trending upward.

Retirees can get a 1-bedroom flat in Westville, where crime is trending downward, for below R800 000, with rates and levies below R3 000.

Item	Value
Average house price	R907 500
Rates and taxes	R1 100 – R3 200
Levies	R3 689 – R13 000
Crime rate*	R1 875.33
Electricity (450 kWh)	2.9%
Total (incl. bond)	R14 818.33
Total (excl. bond)	R6 664.33

Cape Town

Cape Town has affordable homes. But safety comes at a premium.

To reside in safer suburbs like Rondebosch, retirees will need at least R1.75 million for a modest 1-bedroom flat and roughly R4 000 for rates and levies.

Item	Value
Average house price	R2.3 million
Rates and taxes	R1 100 – R8 000
Levies	R5 937 – R15 500
Electricity (450 kWh)	R1 936
Crime rate	5.33%
Total (incl. bond)	R29 639
Total (excl. bond)	R8 973

*Crime rate is based on the municipality where the city is located.