Cost of living in South Africa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is about the same as in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 127 (52元) | 41元 | + 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 86 (35元) | 38元 | - 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (23元) | 15元 | + 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 (8元) | 14元 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (21元) | 16元 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 31 (13元) | 10元 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (37元) | 50元 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (11元) | 16元 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 27 (11元) | 6元 | + 66% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (11元) | 7元 | + 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 (72元) | 89元 | - 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (11元) | 8元 | + 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (5.66元) | 13元 | - 55% | |
| Housing | + 11% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 11% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 20,262 (8,201元) | 11,256元 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,687 (5,135元) | 5,248元 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,114 (856元) | 450元 | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 16,511 (6,683元) | 6,564元 | + 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,420 (4,622元) | 3,518元 | + 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,164 (876元) | 296元 | + 196% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 649 (263元) | 100元 | + 164% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,730 (2,319元) | 1,460元 | + 59% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,598 (647元) | 553元 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 175 (71元) | 43元 | + 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 120 (49元) | 50元 | - 2% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 14% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 757 (306元) | 418元 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 658 (266元) | 302元 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,642 (664元) | 553元 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,308 (529元) | 705元 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 25% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 596,621 (241,471元) | 137,169元 | + 76% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 22 (9元) | 8元 | + 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 622 (252元) | 228元 | + 10% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 10% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 95 (38元) | 45元 | - 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 264 (107元) | 59元 | + 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 586 (237元) | 114元 | + 108% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 63 (26元) | 67元 | - 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 44 (18元) | 57元 | - 69% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 82 (33元) | 25元 | + 32% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 45 (18元) | 6元 | + 196% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 35 (14元) | 15元 | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 179 (73元) | 64元 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is about the same as in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 411 (166元) | 169元 | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 280 (113元) | 100元 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,686 (682元) | 1,179元 | - 42% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 741 (300元) | 320元 | - 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (39元) | 81元 | - 52% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 53 (21元) | 28元 | - 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (17元) | 19元 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 6,924 (2,802元) | 3,680元 | - 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.92 (1.59元) | 0.34元 | + 374% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 543 (220元) | 394元 | - 44% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (22元) | 25元 | - 12% | |
| TOTAL | + 11% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 09, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.40473
CNY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,554 prices entered by 190 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 11% more expensive than in China
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