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City Profile

Johannesburg, Gauteng

South Africa · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Johannesburg Custom Comparison
60
Overall Score

Johannesburg, commonly known as Jozi or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa and serves as the vibrant economic and financial heart of the African continent. Founded in 1886 during the Witwatersrand gold rush, the city rapidly transformed from a tent camp into a sprawling metropolis defined by its striking juxtaposition of historic architecture and modern skyscrapers. Today, it remains a bustling cultural crucible, drawing ambitious professionals, artists, and immigrants from across Africa and the world seeking opportunity in its dynamic urban landscape.

About Gauteng

Gauteng, meaning "place of gold," is South Africa's smallest yet most populous and economically powerful province, serving as the country's financial and industrial heartland. Its economy is diverse, with major industries including finance, real estate, business services, manufacturing (especially metals, petroleum, food and beverages, and automotive), government services, and wholesale and retail trade. Living in Gauteng offers a bustling urban lifestyle with a generally mild climate, though costs can vary; while property can be more affordable than in some other major South African cities, a comfortable lifestyle in Johannesburg might require a budget of R12,000 – R16,000+ per month. The province provides numerous career opportunities and a wide range of entertainment and cultural activities.

5,854,200
Population
$24K
Avg Salary
45
Cost Index
59.7
Quality Score
How this 60/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 42 / 100 42.0 30% 12.6
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 45.0 100.0 25% 25.0
Economy & jobs Median household income: $22,500 Income needed to live here: $18,000 Unemployment rate: 30.2% 28.1 20% 5.6
Growth Population growth rate: 1.6% Job growth rate: 1.8% 60.5 15% 9.1
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 74 / 100 74.0 10% 7.4
Overall score 59.7

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=54, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 17 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
74
Livability
70
Affordability
78
Growth
69

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Johannesburg is notably lower than major Western global capitals, offering exceptional value for expatriates and locals earning in strong currencies. Expenses are heavily influenced by housing choices, security requirements, and imported goods, though local foodstuffs and services remain remarkably affordable. While utilities and private security measures add to monthly household overhead, everyday dining, entertainment, and domestic services offer significant cost advantages compared to comparable global financial hubs.

Average Rent
$950/mo
Groceries
$350/mo
Transport
$110/mo
Utilities
$160/mo
Healthcare
$180/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$35.00
Cinema ticket
$7.50
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$18.00
Monthly groceries
$310.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$55.00

Income

Salary Insights

As the economic engine of South Africa, Johannesburg dominates the national corporate landscape, housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the headquarters of major financial institutions, mining conglomerates, and telecommunications giants. Financial services, professional services, mining, and information technology form the backbone of the local job market, while a burgeoning startup ecosystem drives innovation in fintech and e-commerce. Despite broader national unemployment challenges, the metropolitan area continues to attract skilled professionals across diverse technical and corporate sectors.

The average salary in Johannesburg is $24,000 per year. You would need approximately $18,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Manufacturing +1.10% Financial Services +2.40% Information & Technology +3.50% Trade & Retail +2.00% Mining & Resources +1.20%

Weather

Climate

🌡️
17°C
Avg Temp
☀️
18°C
Summer High
❄️
16°C
Winter Low
🌧️
37.60"
Annual Rain
💧
58.00%
Humidity
🌤️
225
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Johannesburg relies heavily on private motor vehicles, supported by major highway networks and the Gautrain rapid rail system connecting key nodes like OR Tambo International Airport, Sandton, and Rosebank. While the Gautrain and Rea Vaya bus rapid transit systems offer efficient alternatives for commuters along specific corridors, overall public transit coverage remains fragmented. Traffic congestion during peak hours is a notable feature of daily life, prompting many professionals to prioritize housing locations close to their workplaces.

44 min
Avg Commute
40.00/10
Transit Score
45.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Thriving corporate and financial hub housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and major multinational headquarters.
Exceptional climate featuring over 200 days of sunshine annually and extensive green urban forestry.
World-class private healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and specialists.
Vibrant cultural scene, featuring acclaimed museums, galleries, dining establishments, and a rich musical heritage.
Favorable cost of living and housing value for professionals earning competitive local salaries or remote foreign income.
Drawbacks
Elevated crime rates requiring vigilant personal security measures and gated residential environments.
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across major metropolitan highway corridors.
Fragmented public mass transit network leading to heavy reliance on private automobiles and rideshares.
Municipal infrastructure challenges, including occasional power interruptions and water supply maintenance issues.
Broader regional and national unemployment pressures impacting broader socio-economic stability.

Head to Head

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Nearby Cities

Alberton
66
Randburg
65
Boksburg
61
Krugersdorp
64

Community Q&A

Questions about Johannesburg

What people ask about living in and moving to Johannesburg, Gauteng.

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Gathering the most common questions about Johannesburg…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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