What Does It Really Cost to Support a Small Family in South Africa?

Anke de Winnaar
Jul 28
2 min read

Raising a family is one of life’s most meaningful journeys—but it’s also one of the most expensive. Whether you’re a single parent or the sole breadwinner in your household, it’s crucial to understand what it takes financially to provide a stable, secure life for you and your children.

At Jeandre Brokers, we work with individuals and families every day to plan smart, sustainable financial paths. So let’s break down the true monthly cost of supporting a single-parent household with two children in South Africa—and what income you’d realistically need to afford it all.

The Basics: Housing

A safe, comfortable home is the foundation of any family’s life. For a small family, that likely means a 2–3 bedroom house or apartment in a good area, with access to schools and services.

Rent/Bond payments: R10,000 – R14,000/month
Rates, taxes, and levies: ± R1,000 – R2,000

Average Estimated Total: R12,000/month

Getting Around: Vehicle Costs

Whether it’s school drop-offs, grocery runs, or daily commuting, a reliable car is often non-negotiable for parents.

Car instalment: R5,000 – R7,000
Insurance & maintenance: ± R3,000
Fuel: ± R2,000 – R3,000

Estimated Total: R10,000/month

Day-to-Day Necessities

Raising kids comes with growing grocery bills and general household costs. Here's a look at typical monthly expenses:

Groceries & household goods: R6,000 – R8,000
Utilities (electricity, water, internet): R2,500
Clothing & toiletries: R1,500 – R2,000
Cellphones/data: R900

Estimated Total: R10,000 – R12,000/month

Health & Education

These are two essentials you can’t afford to overlook:

Medical Aid (family plan): R4,000 – R6,000
School fees, transport, stationery: ± R3,000 (public school estimate)

Estimated Total: R8,000 – R9,000/month

Savings & Protection

Even as a single-income household, saving and insuring is vital for peace of mind:

Retirement savings: R2,000 – R3,000
Children’s education savings: R1,000
Life cover, funeral, income protection: R2,000
Household insurance: R500

Estimated Total: R5,500 – R6,500/month

The Bottom Line: What Should You Earn?

Taking all the above into account, the total monthly cost to run a modest, responsible household with two children comes to around:

R46,000/month

To comfortably afford this, the ideal earning should be at least R65,000 – R75,000/month before tax, allowing you to:

Cover all expenses without debt
Save for the future
Protect your income and dependents
Have margin for emergencies

Most families earn significantly less than this estimate and find it difficult to afford a medical aid or save for retirement.

How Jeandre Brokers Can Help

Financial planning doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Whether you’re budgeting for a growing family, choosing the right medical aid, or planning for retirement, we’re here to help.

✅ Tailored advice

✅ Access to multiple insurers and plans

✅ Holistic financial planning for every life stage