households across income levels

The average cost of the foods prioritised and bought first in the household cost R2,865,08 in September. Meanwhile, the full food basket with 44 basic items that people usually buy cost R5,379,42 in September.

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The average South African worker spends more than half of their monthly earnings just on transport and electricity.

(Photo: Gallo Images)

Thapelo Mokoena* lives in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. He explained how he covers his monthly bills despite the rising cost of living. He earns R3,546 and pays R700 to rent a room.

“On food I spend [about R2,000]. For transport I can’t be sure about the amount because I sometimes get a free lift when I'm going to town because it’s near. I walk to work,” said Mokoena.

He tries to save by buying roll-on, soap and other things in bulk to last at least three months. He spends R300 on electricity, and water is part of his rent. “It is tough but we make it work.”

Mokoena lives with his niece, who is in high school. Her father covers her expenses. “I only buy her data for about R200.”

According to the DebtBusters 2025 Money Stress Tracker, South African households are in a dire situation as salaries are no longer enough to keep up with the cost of living.

The report claims that South Africans earning more than R35,000 a month are drowning in high levels of debt, borrowing to stretch their budgets to meet their monthly needs and keep up with rising costs.

Nokwanda Zulu* is an early-career cardiologist in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. She said she underestimated how costs can build up over time. When she first began working in the medical field she earned R60,000, but she found herself in a financial pinch because of the costs of building a home for her family, paying for rent and food, and studying further.