Cost of living in South Africa compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 27% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 155 (₨690) | ₨380 | + 82% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 81 (₨360) | ₨351 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 47 (₨210) | ₨174 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (₨82) | ₨58 | + 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 (₨184) | ₨84 | + 118% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 26 (₨117) | ₨45 | + 162% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 80 (₨358) | ₨250 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 29 (₨130) | ₨173 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 24 (₨106) | ₨31 | + 243% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 (₨95) | ₨167 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 (₨442) | ₨847 | - 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (₨105) | ₨97 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (₨75) | ₨39 | + 94% | |
| Housing | + 66% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 66% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 18,814 (₨83,677) | ₨52,694 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 13,014 (₨57,882) | ₨31,325 | + 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,049 (₨9,111) | ₨4,769 | + 91% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,227 (₨45,483) | ₨29,397 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,971 (₨31,004) | ₨16,972 | + 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,219 (₨5,422) | ₨4,814 | + 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 692 (₨3,077) | ₨691 | + 345% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,566 (₨24,755) | ₨30,276 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,647 (₨7,323) | ₨11,282 | - 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 130 (₨577) | ₨479 | + 21% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 73 (₨326) | ₨530 | - 39% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 16% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 863 (₨3,839) | ₨2,548 | + 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 597 (₨2,655) | ₨2,934 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,589 (₨7,068) | ₨4,380 | + 61% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,362 (₨6,056) | ₨3,418 | + 77% | |
| Transportation | + 63% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 63% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 439,617 (₨1,955,212) | ₨2,030,960 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (₨104) | ₨104 | + 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 833 (₨3,704) | ₨1,138 | + 225% | |
| Personal Care | + 53% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 53% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 56 (₨247) | ₨141 | + 75% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 214 (₨954) | ₨318 | + 200% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 592 (₨2,633) | ₨882 | + 198% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 (₨213) | ₨372 | - 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 46 (₨203) | ₨187 | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 60 (₨265) | ₨288 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 39 (₨175) | ₨162 | + 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 30 (₨135) | ₨88 | + 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 159 (₨708) | ₨311 | + 127% | |
| Entertainment | + 23% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 23% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 445 (₨1,978) | ₨1,502 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 (₨1,006) | ₨684 | + 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 763 (₨3,393) | ₨1,392 | + 144% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 714 (₨3,177) | ₨1,961 | + 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 78 (₨346) | ₨882 | - 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 35 (₨156) | ₨211 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (₨153) | ₨187 | - 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,108 (₨44,954) | ₨53,020 | - 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.50 (₨7) | ₨1.27 | + 427% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 628 (₨2,795) | ₨1,639 | + 71% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 52 (₨230) | ₨303 | - 24% | |
| TOTAL | + 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.448
INR
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,510 prices entered by 1,372 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 48% more expensive than in India
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