Cost of living in South Africa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 110 (47元) | 54元 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 64 (27元) | 36元 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 (18元) | 15元 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 (6元) | 14元 | - 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 32 (14元) | 14元 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (9元) | 9元 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 (26元) | 56元 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 (10元) | 12元 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 16 (7元) | 6元 | + 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 19 (8元) | 6元 | + 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 101 (43元) | 108元 | - 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 (9元) | 9元 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 (4.48元) | 10元 | - 54% | |
| Housing | - 6% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,224 (6,097元) | 7,480元 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 8,921 (3,824元) | 4,546元 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,216 (521元) | 406元 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,827 (4,641元) | 6,893元 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,848 (2,935元) | 3,954元 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 782 (335元) | 261元 | + 28% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 577 (247元) | 84元 | + 195% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,074 (2,175元) | 2,223元 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,501 (644元) | 622元 | + 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 95 (41元) | 47元 | - 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 34 (14元) | 44元 | - 67% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 7% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 819 (351元) | 359元 | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 608 (261元) | 227元 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,303 (559元) | 569元 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,211 (519元) | 513元 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | + 22% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 346,646 (148,586元) | 160,747元 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (6元) | 6元 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 675 (289元) | 177元 | + 64% | |
| Personal Care | - 27% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 70 (30元) | 29元 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 223 (95元) | 35元 | + 173% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 471 (202元) | 441元 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 50 (22元) | 31元 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (14元) | 38元 | - 63% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 51 (22元) | 33元 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 (11元) | 9元 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 20 (9元) | 11元 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 131 (56元) | 84元 | - 33% | |
| Entertainment | - 25% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 25% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 344 (148元) | 201元 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 172 (74元) | 94元 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 684 (293元) | 978元 | - 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 560 (240元) | 413元 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 72 (31元) | 70元 | - 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (14元) | 34元 | - 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (14元) | 31元 | - 54% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,352 (4,866元) | 3,170元 | + 54% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.82 (0.78元) | 0.55元 | + 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 529 (227元) | 419元 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 (19元) | 22元 | - 14% | |
| TOTAL | - 7% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.42864
CNY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,271 prices entered by 442 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in China
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