Cost of living in Maseru (Lesotho) is 17% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 109 prices entered by 16 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Maseru (Lesotho) is 10% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | R 177 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | R 91 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | R 52 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 Loti (R 16) | R 24 | - 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 35 Loti (R 35) | R 52 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | R 29 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | R 121 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23 Loti (R 23) | R 28 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | R 22 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 14 Loti (R 14) | R 23 | - 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 78 Loti (R 78) | R 124 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 20 Loti (R 20) | R 26 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12 Loti (R 12) | R 14 | - 16% | |
| Housing | - 5% | |||
| Housing in Maseru (Lesotho) is 5% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 10,525 Loti (R 10,473) | R 14,758 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | R 12,628 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | R 2,181 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | R 12,688 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | R 7,457 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | R 1,928 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | R 662 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | R 5,457 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | R 1,736 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | R 128 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | R 115 | - | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in Maseru (Lesotho) is 7% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 748 Loti (R 744) | R 820 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | R 768 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 887 Loti (R 883) | R 1,646 | - 46% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | R 1,348 | - | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Maseru (Lesotho) is 45% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 211,879 Loti (R 210,821) | R 440,461 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 13 Loti (R 13) | R 25 | - 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 526 Loti (R 524) | R 988 | - 47% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | R 204 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Maseru (Lesotho) is 6% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | R 89 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | R 248 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | R 522 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | R 52 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 33 Loti (R 33) | R 39 | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | R 72 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 30 Loti (R 30) | R 34 | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | R 26 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 53 Loti (R 53) | R 137 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Maseru (Lesotho) is about the same as in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | R 498 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | R 249 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | R 963 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | R 690 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | R 102 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | R 35 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17 Loti (R 17) | R 36 | - 52% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | R 9,905 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | R 1.72 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 474 Loti (R 472) | R 649 | - 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | R 54 | - | |
 |
TOTAL | - 17% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 109 prices entered by 16 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.995
ZAR
/
LSL
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 40,000 in Johannesburg you would need to make just about R 33,052 (33,218 Loti) in Maseru.
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