Top 3 most expensive cities to buy groceries in SA
Did you know that Durban ranks among the three most expensive cities in South Africa when it comes to grocery shopping?
Durban residents might be surprised to learn that the city ranks as the second most expensive in South Africa for groceries, according to the latest data from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) group.
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As of April 2025, the cost of a household food basket in Durban reached R5,425.23, a 3.2% annual increase of R168.23 compared to April 2024.
The PMBEJD report highlights that 27 of the 44 tracked food items experienced price hikes, with six items seeing double-digit inflation.
Cereal products, such as maize meal, accelerated to 4.3% in March, with maize meal prices increasing from 10.6% in February to 13.1% in March.
Coffee and tea drinkers are also feeling the pinch, with instant coffee 18.8% and black tea 12.8% more expensive than a year ago.
A breakdown of costs by region shows that Johannesburg remains the most expensive city for groceries, with a household food basket costing R5,559.46.
Cape Town drops into third place with a food basket cost of R5,316.56.
In Durban, the household food basket saw a significant increase of R157.64 (3%) from R5,267.58 in March 2025.
The city's annual increase was even higher, recorded at 3.2% or R168.23 from R5,257 in April 2024.
Despite this, Durban's food basket remains R134.23 less expensive than Johannesburg's.
The data from the PMBEJD shows how food costs remain a significant concern for many residents, especially in urban areas.
Ranked by the cost of an average food basket, the most expensive cities are:
Johannesburg – R5,559.46
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Durban – R5,425.23
Cape Town – R5,316.56
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