Living in Port Elizabeth
South Africa · mediterranean
Port Elizabeth is a big city of roughly 1,200,000 people with both the sea and mountains close by in South Africa. The climate is mediterranean. It has a lively, popular feel though personal safety is worth weighing carefully. A typical month of living costs around $1,300. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is generally reliable. People come here for surfing, swimming, quiet days.
Starlink and satellite internet cannot be used in this country.
Port Elizabeth at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Port Elizabeth
- Getting around on foot
- A genuinely good food scene
- Anyone into surfing
- Anyone into swimming
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 +35% 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 Port Elizabeth
- • Can get busy with visitors in peak season.
- • Safety genuinely needs attention here; research recent conditions.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Port Elizabeth
- •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 Port Elizabeth?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Port Elizabeth
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 Port Elizabeth, South Africa?
A typical month in Port Elizabeth costs around $1,300, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Port Elizabeth, South Africa safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Port Elizabeth at 2 out of 5, which is limited.
What is the internet like in Port Elizabeth?
Internet in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth has a mediterranean climate. It is on the coast. Mountains are close by.
Is healthcare good in Port Elizabeth?
Healthcare in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth actually right for you?
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