Cost of living in South Africa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 25% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 151 (55元) | 46元 | + 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 83 (30元) | 40元 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 46 (17元) | 16元 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (7元) | 18元 | - 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 (14元) | 19元 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 27 (10元) | 11元 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 84 (31元) | 63元 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (10元) | 15元 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (8元) | 6元 | + 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 25 (9元) | 7元 | + 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 97 (35元) | 118元 | - 70% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (8元) | 8元 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (6元) | 16元 | - 63% | |
| Housing | - 38% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 38% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,362 (6,276元) | 15,059元 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,209 (4,413元) | 9,006元 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,691 (611元) | 421元 | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,309 (3,726元) | 7,547元 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,356 (2,659元) | 4,347元 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,482 (536元) | 262元 | + 104% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 687 (248元) | 115元 | + 115% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,794 (2,456元) | 1,143元 | + 115% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,787 (646元) | 589元 | + 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 113 (41元) | 39元 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 55 (20元) | 51元 | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 22% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 849 (307元) | 529元 | - 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 622 (225元) | 248元 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,601 (579元) | 626元 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,414 (511元) | 828元 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | + 10% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 10% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 413,067 (149,303元) | 161,247元 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (8元) | 9元 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 723 (261元) | 204元 | + 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 20% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 20% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 120 (43元) | 39元 | + 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 227 (82元) | 27元 | + 206% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 631 (228元) | 391元 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 50 (18元) | 53元 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (13元) | 33元 | - 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 63 (23元) | 34元 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 38 (14元) | 13元 | + 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 29 (10元) | 15元 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 232 (84元) | 74元 | + 13% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 477 (172元) | 265元 | - 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 211 (76元) | 110元 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 730 (264元) | 1,294元 | - 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 672 (243元) | 348元 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 74 (27元) | 79元 | - 66% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (12元) | 29元 | - 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (13元) | 18元 | - 28% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,457 (3,057元) | 3,321元 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.72 (0.62元) | 0.20元 | + 211% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 604 (218元) | 410元 | - 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 50 (18元) | 24元 | - 25% | |
| TOTAL | - 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.36145
CNY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,974 prices entered by 325 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in China
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