Cost of living in South Africa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 56% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 56% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 104 (¥659) | ¥975 | - 32% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 62 (¥390) | ¥718 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 (¥274) | ¥451 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 (¥92) | ¥214 | - 57% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 (¥211) | ¥284 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 20 (¥128) | ¥501 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 58 (¥364) | ¥1,246 | - 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (¥150) | ¥640 | - 77% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 (¥127) | ¥381 | - 67% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 (¥112) | ¥252 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 91 (¥576) | ¥1,640 | - 65% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 21 (¥131) | ¥221 | - 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (¥73) | ¥253 | - 71% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,356 (¥90,647) | ¥182,340 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,277 (¥58,581) | ¥111,342 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,250 (¥7,892) | ¥15,746 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,557 (¥66,664) | ¥127,445 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,264 (¥39,552) | ¥86,552 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 758 (¥4,789) | ¥11,000 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 602 (¥3,803) | ¥3,746 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,173 (¥32,667) | ¥39,892 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,366 (¥8,627) | ¥8,365 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 78 (¥493) | ¥740 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 41 (¥260) | ¥2,216 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 725 (¥4,577) | ¥6,528 | - 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 670 (¥4,229) | ¥4,644 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,299 (¥8,204) | ¥7,685 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,151 (¥7,265) | ¥13,013 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 46% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 315,556 (¥1,992,543) | ¥2,936,380 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 16 (¥101) | ¥138 | - 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 626 (¥3,951) | ¥9,348 | - 58% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 67 (¥424) | ¥1,406 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 202 (¥1,274) | ¥929 | + 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 479 (¥3,024) | ¥8,740 | - 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 46 (¥289) | ¥554 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 30 (¥192) | ¥669 | - 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 55 (¥345) | ¥516 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 (¥160) | ¥191 | - 16% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 (¥121) | ¥238 | - 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 125 (¥788) | ¥2,573 | - 69% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 343 (¥2,167) | ¥3,363 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 175 (¥1,102) | ¥3,583 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 753 (¥4,755) | ¥16,766 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 537 (¥3,393) | ¥6,023 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 61 (¥382) | ¥809 | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 31 (¥197) | ¥500 | - 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 32 (¥202) | ¥491 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,257 (¥52,135) | ¥47,822 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.77 (¥11) | ¥26 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 528 (¥3,336) | ¥8,220 | - 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 41 (¥258) | ¥491 | - 47% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 04, 2020.
Exchange rate:
6.314
JPY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,390 prices entered by 573 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in Japan
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