Cost of living in South Africa compared to El Salvador
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 135 ($8) | $10 | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 73 ($4.14) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 ($2.49) | $2.16 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 ($1.01) | $2.00 | - 50% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 42 ($2.39) | $2.45 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 ($1.36) | $1.75 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 ($3.87) | $4.07 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 ($1.50) | $2.96 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 ($1.19) | $2.13 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 ($1.27) | $1.33 | - 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 97 ($5.51) | $17 | - 68% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 ($1.34) | $1.98 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 ($0.87) | $0.97 | - 10% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,490 ($940) | $1,143 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,853 ($732) | $675 | + 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,701 ($97) | $74 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,547 ($601) | $567 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,328 ($418) | $387 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,336 ($76) | $46 | + 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 697 ($40) | $27 | + 49% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,421 ($309) | $362 | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,169 ($124) | $85 | + 45% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 ($4.96) | $8 | - 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 68 ($3.86) | $20 | - 81% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 13% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 857 ($49) | $54 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 599 ($34) | $42 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,644 ($94) | $97 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,383 ($79) | $74 | + 7% | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 15% more expensive than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 306,513 ($17,465) | $16,710 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 ($1.32) | $1.29 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 679 ($39) | $30 | + 27% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 92 ($5.21) | $6 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 237 ($14) | $15 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 511 ($29) | $32 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 ($2.76) | $5.36 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 ($2.04) | $3.67 | - 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 ($3.87) | $5.85 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 ($1.67) | $2.22 | - 25% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 ($1.38) | $1.10 | + 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 175 ($10) | $11 | - 7% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 26% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 427 ($24) | $17 | + 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 215 ($12) | $10 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 478 ($27) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 670 ($38) | $39 | - 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 ($3.91) | $7 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 ($1.83) | $4.63 | - 60% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 ($1.90) | $1.72 | + 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,903 ($336) | $611 | - 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.57 ($0.09) | $0.16 | - 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 547 ($31) | $37 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 ($2.70) | $9 | - 70% | |
| TOTAL | - 10% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05698
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,165 prices entered by 240 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 10% cheaper than in El Salvador
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