- Cost of Living
- South Africa
- China
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Africa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 19% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 108 (元52) | 元53 | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 57 (元28) | 元33 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 (元20) | 元15 | + 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 14 (元7) | 元16 | - 56% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 (元16) | 元16 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 18 (元9) | 元8 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 63 (元30) | 元62 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 22 (元10) | 元14 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 (元10) | 元7 | + 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 17 (元8) | 元5.68 | + 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 88 (元42) | 元113 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 17 (元8) | 元8 | + 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (元5.56) | 元13 | - 57% | |
| Housing | + 7% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 7% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | R 15,332 (元7,371) | 元9,961 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 9,953 (元4,785) | 元4,816 | - 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,426 (元685) | 元445 | + 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 10,782 (元5,183) | 元5,460 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 6,994 (元3,362) | 元3,552 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 847 (元407) | 元317 | + 28% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 654 (元314) | 元84 | + 275% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,786 (元2,782) | 元2,420 | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,551 (元746) | 元670 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (元42) | 元40 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 94 (元45) | 元39 | + 16% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 2% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | R 822 (元395) | 元528 | - 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 655 (元315) | 元270 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,299 (元625) | 元621 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,299 (元625) | 元680 | - 8% | |
| Transportation | + 39% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 39% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 288,766 (元138,818) | 元142,889 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (元7) | 元7 | - 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 661 (元318) | 元146 | + 118% | |
| Personal Care | - 13% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 13% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 69 (元33) | 元26 | + 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 202 (元97) | 元40 | + 144% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 444 (元214) | 元263 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 50 (元24) | 元30 | - 20% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 33 (元16) | 元38 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 53 (元26) | 元39 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 28 (元13) | 元9 | + 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 18 (元8) | 元13 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 140 (元67) | 元60 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | - 18% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 344 (元165) | 元165 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 164 (元79) | 元93 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 844 (元406) | 元826 | - 51% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 541 (元260) | 元403 | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 60 (元29) | 元61 | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 28 (元14) | 元34 | - 60% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 (元14) | 元32 | - 55% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | R 8,626 (元4,147) | 元3,320 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.85 (元0.89) | 元0.65 | + 36% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 572 (元275) | 元355 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 41 (元20) | 元21 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | + 2% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.48073
CNY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 11,711 prices entered by 1,237 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is about the same as in China
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