Cost of living in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 66% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 66% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 76 ($4.93) | $19 | - 75% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 58 ($3.79) | $11 | - 65% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 37 ($2.43) | $5.19 | - 53% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 12 ($0.76) | $1.21 | - 37% | |
12 eggs, large | R 27 ($1.77) | $3.92 | - 55% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 17 ($1.09) | $4.21 | - 74% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 47 ($3.08) | $7 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 18 ($1.17) | $4.37 | - 73% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 17 ($1.08) | $2.38 | - 55% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 16 ($1.03) | $2.95 | - 65% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 84 ($5.51) | $18 | - 69% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | R 18 ($1.14) | $2.37 | - 52% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 ($0.66) | $2.24 | - 71% | |
Housing | - 76% | |||
Housing in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 76% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 9,298 ($607) | $3,252 | - 81% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 6,056 ($395) | $2,659 | - 85% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,169 ($76) | $149 | - 49% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,246 ($538) | $2,410 | - 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 4,374 ($286) | $1,555 | - 82% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 524 ($34) | $114 | - 70% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 392 ($26) | $38 | - 33% | |
40” flat screen tv | R 5,928 ($387) | $329 | + 18% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,487 ($97) | $128 | - 24% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 55 ($3.58) | $10 | - 65% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 60 ($3.92) | $37 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 27% | |||
Clothes in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 27% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 742 ($48) | $49 | - 1% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 526 ($34) | $50 | - 32% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,118 ($73) | $89 | - 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 924 ($60) | $112 | - 46% | |
Transportation | - 34% | |||
Transportation in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 34% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 292,476 ($19,094) | $23,712 | - 19% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 14 ($0.93) | $0.92 | + 0% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | R 680 ($44) | $81 | - 45% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 218 ($14) | $19 | - 24% | |
Personal Care | - 61% | |||
Personal Care in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 61% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 47 ($3.07) | $7 | - 56% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 184 ($12) | $21 | - 43% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 387 ($25) | $110 | - 77% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 35 ($2.31) | $7 | - 67% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 23 ($1.47) | $3.71 | - 60% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 46 ($2.99) | $5.68 | - 47% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 ($1.67) | $3.57 | - 53% | |
Tube of toothpaste | R 14 ($0.88) | $1.93 | - 54% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 85 ($5.56) | $21 | - 74% | |
Entertainment | - 56% | |||
Entertainment in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 56% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 301 ($20) | $50 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the movies | R 117 ($8) | $27 | - 72% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 699 ($46) | $202 | - 77% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 451 ($29) | $89 | - 67% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 34 ($2.25) | $13 | - 83% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 24 ($1.57) | $5.70 | - 73% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 16 ($1.03) | $8 | - 87% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,795 ($770) | $436 | + 77% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.10 ($0.14) | $0.43 | - 68% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | R 489 ($32) | $62 | - 49% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 39 ($2.55) | $9 | - 71% | |
TOTAL | - 61% |

These prices were last updated on March 09, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06528
USD
/
ZAR
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Cost of living in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) is 61% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $10,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $3,937 (R 60,299) in Pietermaritzburg.
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