Cost of living in South Africa compared to Brazil
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is about the same as in Brazil | ||||
| South Africa | Brazil | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 127 (R$ 40) | R$ 39 | + 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 86 (R$ 27) | R$ 38 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (R$ 18) | R$ 12 | + 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 (R$ 6) | R$ 5.66 | + 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (R$ 16) | R$ 13 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 31 (R$ 10) | R$ 8 | + 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (R$ 28) | R$ 27 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (R$ 9) | R$ 13 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 27 (R$ 8) | R$ 7 | + 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (R$ 8) | R$ 7 | + 27% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 (R$ 56) | R$ 50 | + 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (R$ 9) | R$ 10 | - 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (R$ 4.39) | R$ 4.58 | - 4% | |
| Housing | + 58% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 58% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
| South Africa | Brazil | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 20,262 (R$ 6,361) | R$ 4,097 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,687 (R$ 3,983) | R$ 2,709 | + 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,114 (R$ 664) | R$ 743 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 16,511 (R$ 5,183) | R$ 3,015 | + 72% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,420 (R$ 3,585) | R$ 1,974 | + 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,164 (R$ 679) | R$ 537 | + 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 649 (R$ 204) | R$ 92 | + 122% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,730 (R$ 1,799) | R$ 1,834 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,598 (R$ 502) | R$ 641 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 175 (R$ 55) | R$ 31 | + 76% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 120 (R$ 38) | R$ 22 | + 70% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 14% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
| South Africa | Brazil | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 757 (R$ 238) | R$ 284 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 658 (R$ 206) | R$ 280 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,642 (R$ 515) | R$ 416 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,308 (R$ 410) | R$ 322 | + 27% | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is about the same as in Brazil | ||||
| South Africa | Brazil | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 596,621 (R$ 187,290) | R$ 115,564 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 22 (R$ 7) | R$ 6 | + 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 622 (R$ 195) | R$ 249 | - 22% | |
| Personal Care | + 12% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 12% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
| South Africa | Brazil | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 95 (R$ 30) | R$ 22 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 264 (R$ 83) | R$ 51 | + 62% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 586 (R$ 184) | R$ 297 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 63 (R$ 20) | R$ 24 | - 17% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 44 (R$ 14) | R$ 14 | + 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 82 (R$ 26) | R$ 22 | + 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 45 (R$ 14) | R$ 8 | + 87% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 35 (R$ 11) | R$ 5.70 | + 95% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 179 (R$ 56) | R$ 59 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
| South Africa | Brazil | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 411 (R$ 129) | R$ 117 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 280 (R$ 88) | R$ 61 | + 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,686 (R$ 529) | R$ 237 | + 123% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 741 (R$ 233) | R$ 238 | - 2% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (R$ 30) | R$ 32 | - 7% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 53 (R$ 17) | R$ 16 | + 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (R$ 13) | R$ 12 | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 6,924 (R$ 2,174) | R$ 3,681 | - 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.92 (R$ 1.23) | R$ 1.50 | - 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 543 (R$ 171) | R$ 141 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (R$ 17) | R$ 15 | + 10% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.31392
BRL
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 13,945 prices entered by 1,418 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 14% more expensive than in Brazil
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