ZA Johannesburg — a mover's brief

What Johannesburg actually looks, feels, and costs like for someone considering moving. Neighbourhoods, climate, transport, healthcare, safety, and the practical scaffolding — every figure sourced.

Country
South Africa
Africa
Population
6,200,000
metro · 2022
Area
1,645 km²
Elevation
1753 m
city centre
Time zone
Africa/Johannesburg
Currency
ZAR
Airport
JNB · O. R. Tambo International Airport
Metro
1 metro line
Walkability
●●○○○
editorial score · 1–5
Bike friendliness
●○○○○
editorial score · 1–5
Primary language
English dominant in business; isiZulu, Sesotho, and Afrikaans widely spoken. Car-dependent metro.

Source: Stats SA ↗ · verified 2026-04-22

Cost of living

Cost of living

Total monthly essentials: approximately €900/month for a single person in a 1-bedroom flat (rent + utilities + groceries + transit). District and lifestyle swing this 30–50% either way.
ItemMonthly / item costSource
1-bedroom flat, city centre €580/mo Stats SA ↗
Rent per square metre €9.00/m² Stats SA ↗
Utilities (85m² flat) €75/mo Stats SA ↗
Public transport pass €55/mo Stats SA ↗
Groceries, one person €190/mo Stats SA ↗
Restaurant meal, average €9 Stats SA ↗
Climate

Climate

Monthly normals — high · low (°C)
Annual: 22.3° / 10.1° · 719mm rainfall
Jan 26° 15° Feb 25° 14° Mar 24° 13° Apr 22° 10° May 19° Jun 17° Jul 17° Aug 20° Sep 22° 10° Oct 24° 12° Nov 25° 13° Dec 26° 14°
Monthly rainfall (mm)
126 105 88 41 15 5 5 8 22 65 119 120

Hottest month typically Jan, coldest Jun. Values are station normals — actual weather varies year-to-year. Source: South African Weather Service — WMO normals ↗

Also in South Africa

Other South Africa cities

Moving to South Africa

Visa routes

Relevant residence permits. Full visa data on the South Africa country brief.

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