Best Cities in South Africa to Live In 2026
1 city ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Grid reliability
Path to PR
Corporate tax
❓ Living in South Africa — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in South Africa?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Cape Town ranks #1 in South Africa with a score of 54/100, and city-centre rent from around $1026/month.
What is the safest city in South Africa?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Cape Town is the safest city in South Africa in our database, with a rate of 45.5 per 100,000 people.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in South Africa?▾
South Africa offers the South Africa Remote Work Visa (easy process). Duration: Up to 1 year (renewable up to 3 years). Key requirement: Remote employment abroad, minimum income ZAR 650,976/year (~$38,500). Health insurance required. Lovely weather though.. The process is relatively easy. Check individual city pages for full details.