Cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 28% cheaper than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 104 prices entered by 16 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 46% cheaper than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 177 (C$14) | C$22 | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 91 (C$7) | C$13 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 52 (C$3.95) | C$10 | - 60% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 24 (C$1.81) | C$2.85 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 52 (C$4.00) | C$5.11 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (C$2.23) | C$4.89 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 121 (C$9) | C$10 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (C$2.12) | C$4.61 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 22 (C$1.65) | C$4.40 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 (C$1.73) | C$3.71 | - 53% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 124 (C$9) | C$18 | - 49% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 26 (C$2.01) | C$2.63 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (C$1.08) | C$2.41 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 35% cheaper than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,758 (C$1,131) | C$2,308 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,628 (C$968) | C$1,757 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,181 (C$167) | C$120 | + 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 12,688 (C$972) | C$1,249 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,457 (C$571) | C$1,119 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,928 (C$148) | C$93 | + 59% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 662 (C$51) | C$66 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,457 (C$418) | C$342 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,736 (C$133) | C$152 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 128 (C$10) | C$12 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 115 (C$9) | C$29 | - 70% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 18% cheaper than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 820 (C$63) | C$79 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 768 (C$59) | C$73 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,646 (C$126) | C$119 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,348 (C$103) | C$157 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | + 18% | |||
| Transportation in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 18% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 440,461 (C$33,755) | C$27,346 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 25 (C$1.88) | C$1.75 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 988 (C$76) | C$57 | + 33% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 204 (C$16) | C$30 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 40% cheaper than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 89 (C$7) | C$11 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 248 (C$19) | C$38 | - 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 522 (C$40) | C$54 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 52 (C$4.01) | C$9 | - 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (C$2.99) | C$5.44 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 72 (C$5.55) | C$6 | - 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 (C$2.64) | C$3.98 | - 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 (C$2.01) | C$1.60 | + 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 137 (C$11) | C$24 | - 56% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 47% cheaper than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 498 (C$38) | C$65 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 249 (C$19) | C$28 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 963 (C$74) | C$104 | - 29% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 690 (C$53) | C$106 | - 50% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 102 (C$8) | C$11 | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 35 (C$2.70) | C$5.86 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (C$2.72) | C$6 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,905 (C$759) | C$644 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.72 (C$0.13) | C$0.50 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 649 (C$50) | C$53 | - 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (C$4.17) | C$18 | - 76% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 28% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 104 prices entered by 16 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.07663
CAD
/
ZAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$7,300 in Nanaimo, British Columbia you would need to make just about C$5,292 (R 69,056) in Johannesburg.
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