If living well without blowing your budget feels increasingly rare, Johannesburg has just been given a global vote of confidence. According to a new Time Out study surveying more than 18,000 city-dwellers worldwide, Joburg has been ranked the 11th most affordable city to live in, based on the everyday cost of going out, and it’s in very good company.
The annual Time Out Cities survey asked locals in over 100 cities how affordable their daily lives feel, from grabbing a coffee and eating out to catching live music, theatre, comedy or heading out for a night on the town. Respondents rated activities as ‘cheap or free’, ‘affordable’, ‘expensive’ or ‘very expensive’, with the results revealing which cities offer the most (and least) value for money, according to the people who actually live there.
While cities like Seoul, Oslo, and London topped the list of the world’s most expensive places to live, Johannesburg held its own among global heavyweights, landing firmly in the top tier of affordability alongside cities such as Medellín, Bogotá, Naples, and New Orleans.
"In Cyril's Economy"
For locals, this tracks. Joburg continues to offer a lifestyle that punches well above its price point: diverse dining options, a buzzing live music and nightlife scene, world-class galleries and cultural spaces, and a steady stream of events that don’t require elite-level spending.
Locals may joke about how expensive it is to do anything “in Cyril’s economy”, but the reality is that Joburgers are still going out, booking tables, buying tickets, and filling dance floors, and doing it more affordably than residents of many other global cities.
The study focused specifically on the cost of going out, rather than big-ticket expenses like rent, housing or groceries, a distinction worth noting. But as far as social life goes, Johannesburg’s mix of quality and affordability clearly resonates with residents, particularly when compared with notoriously pricey cities where even a casual night out can feel financially punishing.
Most expensive cities
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Seoul emerged as the most expensive city overall, with fewer than one-third of locals saying that eating out or nightlife feels affordable. European cities such as Oslo, Stockholm, and Munich also ranked poorly, while London stood out as one of the most expensive places for a night out, despite being praised for its free art and cultural offerings.
Who else made the list?
Globally, the most affordable cities were led by Medellín and Bogotá, where nearly 90% of locals said eating out is affordable, followed by cities in Asia, South America, and Southern Europe. Johannesburg joins Cape Town (15th), which also made the affordable list, reinforcing South Africa’s reputation for delivering strong lifestyle value on a global scale.
In a world where the cost of living continues to rise, Joburg’s ranking serves as a reminder that, despite its challenges, the city still knows how to deliver good food, great culture, and memorable nights out without demanding a luxury budget.
Also read: The best affordable restaurants in Johannesburg and The 13 best affordable hotels in Johannesburg
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