Margate vs Stilbaai (Still Bay): Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Margate scores higher for long-term retiree livability. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Stilbaai (Still Bay) is approximately less expensive than Margate based on cost of living including rent. This makes Stilbaai (Still Bay) a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Stilbaai (Still Bay) has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 60, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Stilbaai (Still Bay) is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Margate
Margate delivers a rare geo-arbitrage edge with a FIRE score of 86 and rent locked at $241 monthly. The subtropical climate and clean air (AQI 35) support a low-cost coastal base. English is common in tourist areas, but a retiree score of 67 signals limited infrastructure for aging in place.
About South Africa
Safety is the dealbreaker: a 25.3 safety index puts South Africa firmly in caution territory, with the advisory level of 2 underscoring that. Retirees on fixed budgets should look past this for the math: $2,050/mo qualifies for the retirement visa, while rent runs under $500/mo in city centers. Low cost, low safety, weigh accordingly.
$2,432/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Stilbaai (Still Bay)
Stilbaai is a sleepy coastal town with a population of just 4,000, offering a mild Mediterranean climate and a low crime index of 38, but its limited English proficiency and fair healthcare quality are drawbacks for most expats. Rent is cheap at $526 for a three-bedroom in the city center, yet the average local salary of $2,514 per month makes the cost of living a non-issue for retirees or digital nomads with the required income. The 55/100 overall expat score reflects a place that is safe and affordable but lacks the amenities and connectivity that most foreigners expect.
About South Africa
Safety is the dealbreaker: a 25.3 safety index puts South Africa firmly in caution territory, with the advisory level of 2 underscoring that. Retirees on fixed budgets should look past this for the math: $2,050/mo qualifies for the retirement visa, while rent runs under $500/mo in city centers. Low cost, low safety, weigh accordingly.
N/A/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Margate | Stilbaai (Still Bay) |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $241.29 | N/A |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $241.29 | N/A |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $542.9 | $525.73 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $542.9 | $551.68 |
| Safety Index | 60 | 60 |
| Internet Speed | 20Mbps | 55Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Margate | Stilbaai (Still Bay) |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $570/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $329/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $241/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $88.00/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $78.00/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $51.00/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $112/mo | N/A |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Margate vs Stilbaai (Still Bay) -- Frequently Asked Questions
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