Sovereign

Is R 45 000 a Good Salary in Johannesburg?

An honest, data-driven analysis of purchasing power, lifestyle affordability, and tax impact for 2024.

The Verdict

Below Typical Professional Income

At R 45 000, your income is below the estimated professional median for Johannesburg (~R 56 500). Budgeting will be essential, especially for housing in central districts.

Advertisement
AdSpace • rectangle

Estimated Monthly Allocation

Monthly Net Income
R 3 675
Housing & Utilities
R 1 654

Target 30-35% of net. Covers rent/mortgage in outer districts.

Groceries & Transport
R 1 286

Core living expenses adjusted for Johannesburg CPI.

Lifestyle & Leisure
R 551

Dining out, entertainment, and personal care.

Savings & Investment
R 184

Remaining allocation for long-term wealth.

Other salary checks in Johannesburg

Jump to adjacent income bands to stress test lifestyle outcomes.

8 options

Compare R 45 000 across peer hubs

Same salary, different macro-region hubs to benchmark opportunity cost.

Adjust the Numbers

Salary FAQs

What does R 45 000 translate to after tax in Johannesburg?
Our deterministic engine estimates roughly R 44 100 per year (~R 3 675 monthly) after South Africa income taxes and mandatory social contributions for a single filer.
Can R 45 000 comfortably cover housing in Johannesburg?
Allocating about R 1 654 (45% of monthly net income) keeps housing and utilities within the recommended 30–35% band even in prime districts.
How much could I save earning R 45 000 in Johannesburg?
Following the Sovereign allocation, you could direct roughly R 184 per month (5% of take-home pay) toward investments, reserves, or debt payoff.