Cost of living in South Africa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 20% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 129 (54元) | 41元 | + 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 68 (28元) | 37元 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 (17元) | 17元 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (7元) | 14元 | - 51% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 40 (17元) | 16元 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (9元) | 9元 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 (26元) | 48元 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (10元) | 13元 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 19 (8元) | 6元 | + 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 (9元) | 7元 | + 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 87 (37元) | 97元 | - 62% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (10元) | 9元 | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 13 (5.64元) | 13元 | - 57% | |
| Housing | - 29% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,411 (6,492元) | 13,898元 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,359 (4,785元) | 8,379元 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,568 (660元) | 462元 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,801 (3,707元) | 6,525元 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,669 (2,809元) | 4,376元 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 787 (331元) | 516元 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 755 (318元) | 140元 | + 127% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,346 (2,252元) | 1,829元 | + 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,882 (793元) | 546元 | + 45% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 89 (38元) | 50元 | - 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 35 (15元) | 66元 | - 78% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 23% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 813 (342元) | 511元 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 550 (232元) | 288元 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,485 (626元) | 654元 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,256 (529元) | 844元 | - 37% | |
| Transportation | + 29% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 29% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 311,470 (131,207元) | 148,501元 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 20 (8元) | 8元 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 843 (355元) | 206元 | + 72% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 51 (21元) | 28元 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 175 (74元) | 27元 | + 174% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 447 (188元) | 386元 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 37 (16元) | 30元 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 29 (12元) | 19元 | - 37% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 56 (24元) | 44元 | - 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 (13元) | 21元 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 (8元) | 16元 | - 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 132 (56元) | 82元 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 387 (163元) | 260元 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 194 (82元) | 122元 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 606 (255元) | 417元 | - 39% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 582 (245元) | 319元 | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 77 (32元) | 90元 | - 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 (13元) | 31元 | - 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (14元) | 19元 | - 26% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,284 (3,911元) | 2,968元 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.68 (0.71元) | 0.24元 | + 190% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 533 (225元) | 410元 | - 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 (19元) | 38元 | - 49% | |
| TOTAL | - 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.42125
CNY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,336 prices entered by 273 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 14% cheaper than in China
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