Cost of living and transport in Johannesburg

Hi s.sarma, R150,000 will give you R12,500 per month, but after tax you're looking at around R11,000 a month - not taking into account any other deductions on your salary. Although many people in South Africa survive on a lot less than this on a monthly basis, as an expat salary this is quite low, and if looking to take care of your family on this, it may be very tight. 

Rental will likely be your bisggest expense. Medical care in South Africa is expensive and you'll need to look into having full health insurance. School fees can also be expensive, and the public transport is not that reliable. You should definitely consider buying a car. You should be able to get a good deal on a basic second hand car, but bear in mind, petrol is also quite pricy.

I suggest you take a look at our Cost of Living in South Africa page for a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for your basic goods and services living in South Africa. Your monthly budget and expenses all depends on your own lifestyle, so it's best to weigh up these expenses and see how much you feel you would need to have a comfortable life for you and your family.

hell no, you will need that a month