Living in Johannesburg
South Africa · temperate
Johannesburg is a big city of roughly 5,600,000 people inland in South Africa. The climate is temperate. It keeps a balanced mix of locals and visitors though personal safety is worth weighing carefully. A typical month of living costs around $1,100. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for art and culture, nightlife, food and eating out.
Starlink and satellite internet cannot be used in this country.
Johannesburg at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Johannesburg
- Making a budget stretch further
- A genuinely good food scene
- Anyone into art and culture
- Anyone into nightlife
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Recommended, never required
Admission policy asks for proof of immunisation, and the same policy says no child may be turned away without it.
If you skip them: Nothing. A school cannot refuse a child for it.
Exemptions: Not needed.
Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
📈 Popularity & prices: Growing
Accommodation prices have moved about +24% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
What to know before moving to Johannesburg
- • Safety genuinely needs attention here; research recent conditions.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Johannesburg
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Air quality: PM2.5 averages ~25 µg/m³ (WHO guideline is 5).
- •Violent-crime rate is high (~41 per 100k), choose neighbourhoods with care.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Johannesburg?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Johannesburg
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Johannesburg, South Africa?
A typical month in Johannesburg costs around $1,100, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Johannesburg, South Africa safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Johannesburg at 2 out of 5, which is limited.
What is the internet like in Johannesburg?
Internet in Johannesburg is rated 3 out of 5 for remote work, which is reasonable. Starlink is not available in this country.
What is the weather like in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg has a temperate climate.
Is healthcare good in Johannesburg?
Healthcare in Johannesburg is rated 3 out of 5 overall, which is reasonable. Public healthcare is 3/5 and private healthcare 4/5.
How easy is it to move to South Africa?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in South Africa at 3 out of 5, which is reasonable. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Johannesburg actually right for you?
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