Cost of living in South Africa compared to El Salvador
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 13% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 114 ($8) | $7 | + 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 63 ($4.38) | $6 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 ($2.83) | $2.10 | + 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 ($1.09) | $1.66 | - 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 ($2.27) | $2.53 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.47) | $1.98 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 ($4.34) | $3.91 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 ($1.68) | $2.06 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 19 ($1.30) | $1.88 | - 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 19 ($1.36) | $1.61 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 ($7) | $16 | - 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 ($1.52) | $1.80 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.82) | $0.92 | - 11% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in El Salvador | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,369 ($1,004) | $1,190 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,605 ($671) | $650 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,266 ($88) | $74 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,424 ($658) | $676 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,683 ($467) | $357 | + 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 884 ($62) | $40 | + 53% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 653 ($46) | $32 | + 41% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,847 ($339) | $345 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,453 ($102) | $88 | + 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 94 ($7) | $4.85 | + 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 36 ($2.54) | $11 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in El Salvador | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 830 ($58) | $51 | + 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 561 ($39) | $39 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,343 ($94) | $84 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,240 ($87) | $95 | - 9% | |
| Transportation | + 61% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 61% more expensive than in El Salvador | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 342,016 ($23,895) | $19,888 | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($1.05) | $0.99 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 877 ($61) | $26 | + 135% | |
| Personal Care | - 9% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 9% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 67 ($4.66) | $4.75 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 247 ($17) | $10 | + 64% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 483 ($34) | $31 | + 10% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 ($3.53) | $3.76 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 ($2.20) | $4.07 | - 46% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 53 ($3.72) | $5.25 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 24 ($1.69) | $2.27 | - 25% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 22 ($1.56) | $2.26 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 138 ($10) | $8 | + 27% | |
| Entertainment | + 26% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 26% more expensive than in El Salvador | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 356 ($25) | $16 | + 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 177 ($12) | $10 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 836 ($58) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 573 ($40) | $42 | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 80 ($5.60) | $7 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 ($2.21) | $4.50 | - 51% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 ($2.33) | $1.72 | + 35% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 13,465 ($941) | $431 | + 118% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.90 ($0.13) | $0.15 | - 11% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 566 ($40) | $33 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 46 ($3.22) | $3.65 | - 12% | |
| TOTAL | + 15% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 17, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06987
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,181 prices entered by 294 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 15% more expensive than in El Salvador
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Albania is 19% cheaper than in El Salvador
- Cost of living in Angola is 40% more expensive than in El Salvador
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 84% more expensive than in El Salvador
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in El Salvador
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 63% more expensive than in El Salvador
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 93% more expensive than in El Salvador
- Cost of living in Andorra is 97% more expensive than in El Salvador
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 14% cheaper than in El Salvador