If you’re an average South African – as in not one of the 1% – you’re probably spending between 26% and 30% of your salary on rent.

That’s a lot if you factor in the cost of living.

Where you live in South Africa also determines how much bang you get for your buck.

A one-bedroom property in Constantia is going to cost you a lot more than the same in Woodstock.

According to Business Insider SA, job aggregator Adzuna analysed more than 140 000 job listings in South Africa and compared the average salaries to the average rent in major cities.

It found that Polokwane [was] the cheapest where employees spend 12% of their income on rent, followed by Port Elizabeth and East London with 15%, Johannesburg with 16%, and Tswhane with 17%.

Cape Town was the most expensive where employees spend 27% of their salaries on rent, followed by Sandton and Richards Bay with 26%.

These figures are based on a scenario where a single person resides in a one-bedroom residence.

You can see the full list below:

The Western Cape came out on top, which is a rather dubious honour, with the most expensive rent compared to income:

Great for the people of the North West, but then you actually have to live in the North West.

For us Capetonians, if you cry a little every time your rent is debited, you’re totally justified.

[source:businessinsider]