What are rents like in Stellenbosch right now? (January 2026)

Stellenbosch has one of South Africa's most unique rental markets, shaped by university demand and wine country lifestyle appeal.

Here we break down current rents, top neighborhoods, tenant preferences, and landlord costs as of January 2026.

We constantly update this blog post with the latest data.

And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.

Who is the author of this content?

THE AFRICANVESTOR

A team specialized in real estate investing in African countries

We are a team of financial experts, legal professionals, developers, and local real estate specialists dedicated to helping people like you avoid mistakes when investing in real estate in a foreign place, particularly in Stellenbosch. If you’d like to learn more about us, you can check our presentation page.

What are typical rents in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Stellenbosch is around R9,000 ($500 USD or €460 EUR), varying by location and building quality.

Most studios fall within R7,500 to R12,000 per month ($415 to $665 USD or €385 to €615 EUR), with basic bachelor flats at the lower end and newer student buildings higher.

Key factors affecting studio rents include proximity to Stellenbosch University, furnished vs unfurnished status, amenities like secure parking and backup power, and building age.

What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Stellenbosch is around R11,500 ($640 USD or €590 EUR).

Most 1-bedrooms rent for R9,500 to R15,000 per month ($530 to $830 USD or €490 to €770 EUR), depending on neighborhood and condition.

Rents are lowest in Jamestown and parts of Cloetesville, while Stellenbosch Central, Uniepark, and Mostertsdrift command the highest prices due to student and professional demand.

What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Stellenbosch is around R17,500 ($970 USD or €900 EUR).

Most 2-bedrooms rent for R14,000 to R22,000 per month ($780 to $1,220 USD or €720 to €1,130 EUR), with luxury units near campus sometimes exceeding this.

Cheaper 2-bedrooms are in Jamestown, Dalsig, and older Die Boord buildings, while Stellenbosch Central, Mostertsdrift, and estates like De Zalze command top prices.

By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.

What's the average rent per square meter in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the average rent per square meter in Stellenbosch is around R220/month ($12 USD or €11 EUR per sqm).

Rents range from R180 to R260/sqm ($10 to $14 USD or €9 to €13 EUR) for standard units, while premium student apartments reach R300 to R550/sqm.

Compared to Cape Town's prime areas (often exceeding R300/sqm), Stellenbosch is slightly lower overall, though top student properties in Stellenbosch Central match Cape Town prices.

Properties pushing above-average rates are typically small, modern, furnished units near the university with backup power, fiber, and secure parking.

How much have rents changed year-over-year in Stellenbosch in 2026?

As of January 2026, Stellenbosch rents have increased approximately 8% year-over-year, slightly above the Western Cape average of 7%.

Key drivers include strong demand from Stellenbosch University students, limited well-located supply, and ongoing appeal to remote workers and lifestyle seekers.

This growth matches 2025's trend, though the pace has started leveling off as affordability limits bite.

What's the outlook for rent growth in Stellenbosch in 2026?

As of January 2026, rent growth in Stellenbosch is projected at 5% to 8%, with strongest increases for studios and 1-bedrooms near campus.

Key factors include university enrollment growth, SARB interest rate policy, and whether new supply comes online near campus.

Neighborhoods expected to see strongest growth are Stellenbosch Central, Uniepark, Universiteitsoord, and estates like Welgevonden and Paradyskloof.

Main risks include economic slowdown, affordability constraints forcing tenants to downgrade, or sudden new rental supply.

We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in South Africa. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.

Which neighborhoods rent best in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the highest-rent neighborhoods in Stellenbosch are Stellenbosch Central, De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, and Mostertsdrift, with typical rents of R15,000 to R30,000/month ($830 to $1,670 USD or €770 to €1,540 EUR).

These areas command premiums due to walkability to the university/CBD, estate-level security, scenic wine country surroundings, and modern finishes.

Typical tenants are well-funded students, young professionals in tech or academia, and families or expats seeking secure, lifestyle-oriented living.

By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Stellenbosch.

Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Stellenbosch right now?

Young professionals prefer Stellenbosch Central, Dennesig, and Dalsig for their convenience, walkability, and access to cafes and coworking spaces.

They typically pay R10,000 to R16,000/month ($555 to $890 USD or €510 to €820 EUR) for 1-bedroom or small 2-bedroom apartments.

Key attractions include short commutes to Techno Park and the university, reliable fiber, secure parking, and vibrant street-level dining and shopping.

By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.

Where do families prefer to rent in Stellenbosch right now?

Families prefer Paradyskloof, Welgevonden Estate, and Jamestown for space, security, and quieter suburban living.

They typically pay R18,000 to R28,000/month ($1,000 to $1,555 USD or €920 to €1,435 EUR) for 2-3 bedroom houses or townhouses.

These neighborhoods offer secure estate living, larger gardens, and proximity to good schools without CBD congestion.

Top schools nearby include Stellenbosch Primary, Rhenish Primary, Bloemhof Girls' High, and Paul Roos Gymnasium.

Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Stellenbosch in 2026?

As of January 2026, Stellenbosch Central, Uniepark, and Universiteitsoord rent fastest due to high student and staff demand.

Well-priced properties in these areas stay listed under 14 days during peak season (October to February), and 20 to 30 days off-peak.

The rent premium for walking distance to Stellenbosch University or CBD is R1,000 to R2,500/month ($55 to $140 USD or €50 to €130 EUR) above comparable units further out.

Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Stellenbosch right now?

Expats favor De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate, Welgevonden Estate, and Paradyskloof for security, scenery, and turnkey lifestyle.

They typically pay R20,000 to R35,000/month ($1,110 to $1,945 USD or €1,025 to €1,795 EUR) for furnished houses or townhouses.

Key attractions include 24-hour security, estate amenities, wine farm proximity, and move-in-ready furnished options.

British, German, Dutch, and returning South African professionals are most represented, drawn by remote work flexibility and wine country living.

And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Stellenbosch.

Who rents, and what do tenants want in Stellenbosch right now?

What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Stellenbosch?

The dominant tenant profiles are university students, young professionals (academia, tech, wine industry), and families seeking secure suburban living.

Students account for 40% to 50% of demand, young professionals 25% to 30%, families 15% to 20%, with expats and corporate renters making up the rest.

Students seek studios or shared houses near campus; young professionals prefer 1-2 bedrooms with fiber and parking; families want 3-bedroom houses in secure estates.

If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Stellenbosch.

Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Stellenbosch?

About 60% to 65% of tenants prefer unfurnished rentals, while 35% to 40% prefer furnished, concentrated near Stellenbosch University.

Furnished apartments command a premium of R1,000 to R2,500/month ($55 to $140 USD or €50 to €130 EUR) above unfurnished equivalents.

Students, visiting academics, expats, and short-term corporate tenants prefer furnished for turnkey convenience.

Which amenities increase rent the most in Stellenbosch?

Top rent-boosting amenities are backup power, secure parking, fiber internet, walking distance to the university, and dedicated study space.

Premiums: backup power adds R500 to R1,500/month ($28 to $83 USD); secure parking R500 to R1,000 ($28 to $55 USD); fiber R300 to R700 ($17 to $39 USD); campus walkability R1,000 to R2,500 ($55 to $140 USD); study space R300 to R800 ($17 to $44 USD).

In our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.

What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Stellenbosch?

Top ROI renovations are backup power systems, kitchen modernization, bathroom upgrades, security improvements, and adding bathrooms in student houses.

Backup power costs R15,000 to R40,000 ($830 to $2,220 USD) and adds R500 to R1,500/month; kitchen refresh R25,000 to R60,000 ($1,390 to $3,335 USD) adds R500 to R1,200; bathroom upgrades R15,000 to R35,000 ($830 to $1,945 USD) add R300 to R800; security R10,000 to R30,000 ($555 to $1,670 USD) adds R400 to R1,000; extra bathrooms R40,000 to R80,000 ($2,220 to $4,445 USD) add R1,000 to R2,000 per room.

Poor ROI renovations include luxury finishes, swimming pools, and personalized decor.

We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in South Africa versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.

How strong is rental demand in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the vacancy rate in Stellenbosch is around 2% to 4%, making it one of the Western Cape's tightest rental markets.

Vacancy ranges from near zero in Stellenbosch Central and Uniepark during peak season, to 5% to 6% in outlying areas like Jamestown.

This is below the Western Cape historical average of 4% to 6%, reflecting persistent student and lifestyle demand.

Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch.

How many days do rentals stay listed in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, rentals in Stellenbosch stay listed 15 to 25 days on average for well-priced units.

Studios and 1-bedrooms near campus rent in under 14 days during peak season, while overpriced or larger units take 30 to 45 days.

Days-on-market is roughly similar to last year, as strong demand keeps absorption stable despite modest listing increases.

Which months have peak tenant demand in Stellenbosch?

Peak demand runs October through January, when students secure accommodation before the February academic year.

The Stellenbosch University calendar drives concentrated lease signings, with a smaller mid-year bump in June/July from interns and postgraduates.

Lowest demand months are March through May and August through September, when most tenants are already settled.

What will my monthly costs be in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

What property taxes should landlords expect in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, landlords should expect annual property rates of R15,000 to R25,000 ($830 to $1,390 USD or €770 to €1,280 EUR) for mid-range properties valued at R2.5 to R3.5 million.

The range spans R8,000 ($445 USD) for lower-valued properties to R40,000+ ($2,220 USD) for high-value estate homes.

Rates are calculated at approximately 0.70% of municipal valuation, with a R35,000 residential reduction applied before final calculation.

Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Stellenbosch, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.

What utilities do landlords often pay in Stellenbosch right now?

Landlords commonly pay municipal rates, refuse removal, body corporate levies, and building insurance.

Monthly costs: R1,500 to R3,500 ($83 to $195 USD) for rates and refuse; R1,500 to R4,000 ($83 to $220 USD) for levies (insurance often included).

Typically, landlords cover rates, refuse, and levies; tenants pay electricity (prepaid), water (metered), and internet, with lease terms specifying responsibilities.

How is rental income taxed in Stellenbosch as of 2026?

As of January 2026, rental income is taxed as personal income at marginal rates of 18% to 45% per SARS tables.

Deductible expenses include rates, levies, insurance, bond interest (not capital), agent fees, repairs, and advertising costs.

A common Stellenbosch-specific mistake is failing to separate personal and rental use for part-time rentals or family lets, which can trigger SARS penalties.

We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Stellenbosch.

We made this infographic to show you how property prices in South Africa compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Stellenbosch, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can.

Below we've listed our authoritative sources and explained how we used them.

Source	Why it's authoritative	How we used it
PayProp Rental Index (Q3 2025)	PayProp is South Africa's leading rental payment platform with a long-running rental index.	We anchored Western Cape rent levels and YoY growth. We scaled Stellenbosch estimates using local portal evidence.
PayProp Rental Index (Hub)	PayProp's official index landing page with methodology.	We used it as the canonical reference. We cross-checked figures against latest releases.
TPN Vacancy Survey Report	TPN is a major tenant screening provider with widely-cited vacancy data.	We grounded vacancy discussion and Western Cape tightness. We tailored to Stellenbosch's student cycle.
Statistics South Africa CPI Tables	Stats SA is the national statistics agency with official inflation data.	We separated general from rent inflation. We reality-checked sustainable rent growth.
SARB Financial Stability Review	South Africa's central bank with primary policy rate data.	We pinned the interest-rate backdrop. We translated to investor and tenant impact.
Stellenbosch Municipality Property Rates Tariff 2025/26	Official municipal tariff document.	We quantified Stellenbosch property rates. We showed realistic after-reduction examples.
Stellenbosch Municipality Rates Annexure G	Official municipal service tariff schedule.	We described utility billing and landlord/tenant splits. We gave practical breakdowns.
Stellenbosch Tariff Book Download Page	Official municipal document portal.	We confirmed tariff authenticity and timing. We triangulated cost section accuracy.
SARS Individual Tax Rates (2026)	Official tax authority rate tables.	We explained marginal-rate rental taxation. We translated to after-tax intuition.
SARS Legal Note on Leases	Official SARS interpretive note on lease treatment.	We reinforced rental income declaration rules. We kept tax guidance precise.
Housing Finance Africa Stellenbosch Study	Recognized research organization with structured datasets.	We grounded Stellenbosch's structural uniqueness. We connected constraints to pricing.
Property24 Stellenbosch Listings	Major SA property marketplace with high listing volumes.	We observed asking-rent ranges by unit type. We converted to typical rent estimates.
Property24 Stellenbosch Central	High-volume portal view of the CBD/campus submarket.	We pinned top-of-market pricing. We compared against broader listings.
Private Property Stellenbosch	Major national portal for cross-checking coverage.	We validated suburb names and rent bands. We treated overlap as stronger signals.
Pam Golding Student Accommodation Commentary	Long-established real estate firm with local market participation.	We explained seasonality and speed-to-let drivers. We used for qualitative confirmation.