Cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 27% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain)
How much money will you need in Johannesburg?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,682 prices entered by 217 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 35% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 177 (€9) | €17 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 91 (€4.64) | €10 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 52 (€2.64) | €3.90 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 24 (€1.21) | €1.08 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 52 (€2.68) | €3.32 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (€1.49) | €2.15 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 121 (€6) | €7 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 30 (€1.53) | €2.25 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 24 (€1.25) | €1.58 | - 21% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 (€1.16) | €1.19 | - 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 124 (€6) | €7 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 26 (€1.34) | €2.02 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (€0.72) | €1.07 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 45% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,758 (€757) | €1,853 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,628 (€647) | €1,246 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,181 (€112) | €118 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,335 (€479) | €1,230 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,457 (€382) | €861 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,928 (€99) | €76 | + 30% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 662 (€34) | €26 | + 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,457 (€280) | €283 | - 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,736 (€89) | €96 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 128 (€7) | €9 | - 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 115 (€5.88) | €11 | - 48% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Johannesburg (South Africa) is about the same as in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Madrid | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 887 (€45) | €70 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 768 (€39) | €28 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,646 (€84) | €81 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,348 (€69) | €87 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 12% | |||
| Transportation in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 12% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 440,461 (€22,581) | €28,197 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 25 (€1.26) | €1.58 | - 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 988 (€51) | €33 | + 52% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 194 (€10) | €15 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 29% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 89 (€4.56) | €9 | - 52% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 248 (€13) | €7 | + 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 522 (€27) | €55 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 52 (€2.68) | €3.75 | - 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (€2.00) | €3.20 | - 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 72 (€3.71) | €3.65 | + 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 (€1.77) | €2.22 | - 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 (€1.34) | €2.78 | - 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 137 (€7) | €19 | - 64% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 43% cheaper than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 498 (€26) | €41 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 249 (€13) | €19 | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 963 (€49) | €50 | - 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 690 (€35) | €57 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 102 (€5.21) | €14 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 35 (€1.81) | €3.13 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 (€2.02) | €4.81 | - 58% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,905 (€508) | €553 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.72 (€0.09) | €0.27 | - 67% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 649 (€33) | €53 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (€2.79) | €5.51 | - 49% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 27% | ||
These prices were last updated on January 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05127
EUR
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,682 prices entered by 217 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 17% cheaper than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 30% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Monterrey is 21% more expensive than in Santiago de Compostela
- Cost of living in Madrid is about the same as in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Santiago, Chile is 10% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in Brussels is 11% cheaper than in Warsaw
- Cost of living in Warsaw is 31% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 27% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Montevideo is 5% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
Compare other countries
Are you moving to Johannesburg? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?
Find out what is the real equivalent in Johannesburg of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.
Get a Salary Calculation for Johannesburg
Do you live in Madrid? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Cape Town (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Harare (Zimbabwe)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Berlin (Germany)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Pretoria (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Soweto (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Casablanca (Morocco)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Barcelona, Spain (Spain)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Paris (France)
Prices recently added
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) in Las Vegas, Nevada costs $11 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Charleston, South Carolina costs $12 (about 1 hour ago)
- Hourly rate for babysitter services in Riga costs €10 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Toronto costs C$12 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Valencia, Spain costs €1,200 (about 3 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in normal area in Mendoza costs ARS $350,000 (about 3 hours ago)