Best places to retire in South Africa
For retirees, Bhisho ranks highest in South Africa (retire score 64/100), balancing affordability, a mild climate and safety. The most affordable option is Mbombela. Our retire score = 40% cost + 30% climate + 30% safety.
Top retirement cities in South Africa
- Bhisho — retire score 64/100 (cost 57, climate 100, safety 39)
- Mbombela — retire score 64/100 (cost 58, climate 100, safety 35)
- Pietermaritzburg — retire score 63/100 (cost 54, climate 100, safety 37)
- Polokwane — retire score 63/100 (cost 56, climate 100, safety 35)
- Gqeberha — retire score 62/100 (cost 53, climate 100, safety 37)
- East London — retire score 62/100 (cost 55, climate 100, safety 34)
- Newcastle — retire score 62/100 (cost 55, climate 100, safety 33)
- Germiston — retire score 62/100 (cost 56, climate 100, safety 31)
- Bloemfontein — retire score 61/100 (cost 55, climate 100, safety 30)
- Kimberley — retire score 61/100 (cost 57, climate 96, safety 33)
- Vereeniging — retire score 61/100 (cost 55, climate 100, safety 30)
- Welkom — retire score 61/100 (cost 55, climate 100, safety 29)
Retire score weights affordability, climate comfort and disaster+crime safety. It does not include healthcare quality or retirement-visa rules — verify those separately.
FAQ
Where is the best place to retire in South Africa?
Bhisho ranks highest in our retirement score (64/100), balancing affordability, mild climate and safety.
Is South Africa a good place to retire?
South Africa's best retirement city scores 64/100; the most affordable is Mbombela (cost 58/100). We weigh cost, climate and natural-disaster + crime safety — not healthcare or visas, which you should check separately.
What's the cheapest place to retire in South Africa?
Mbombela has the lowest cost of living in South Africa in our data.
All cities in South Africa → Best places to retire worldwide →