Cost of living in South Africa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 121 (¥983) | ¥1,035 | - 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (¥683) | ¥840 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 55 (¥450) | ¥618 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (¥154) | ¥237 | - 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 50 (¥403) | ¥335 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 28 (¥227) | ¥439 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 92 (¥746) | ¥1,195 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 27 (¥221) | ¥822 | - 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (¥190) | ¥509 | - 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 26 (¥212) | ¥303 | - 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 178 (¥1,445) | ¥1,267 | + 14% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (¥227) | ¥276 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (¥110) | ¥293 | - 62% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 18,561 (¥150,528) | ¥365,082 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,976 (¥97,125) | ¥197,136 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,227 (¥18,064) | ¥19,132 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 15,662 (¥127,022) | ¥145,654 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,697 (¥94,867) | ¥102,459 | - 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,937 (¥15,706) | ¥8,349 | + 88% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 641 (¥5,197) | ¥4,448 | + 17% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,522 (¥44,783) | ¥74,559 | - 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,489 (¥12,073) | ¥25,414 | - 52% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 158 (¥1,281) | ¥1,338 | - 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 118 (¥956) | ¥2,815 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 4% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 791 (¥6,414) | ¥9,315 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 675 (¥5,478) | ¥5,103 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,719 (¥13,942) | ¥9,892 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,386 (¥11,237) | ¥12,189 | - 8% | |
| Transportation | - 9% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 9% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 539,166 (¥4,372,676) | ¥3,122,540 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (¥185) | ¥169 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 744 (¥6,033) | ¥8,198 | - 26% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 37% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 100 (¥811) | ¥2,133 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 242 (¥1,961) | ¥2,551 | - 23% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 584 (¥4,739) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 54 (¥439) | ¥1,337 | - 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 43 (¥348) | ¥930 | - 63% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (¥597) | ¥622 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 43 (¥346) | ¥224 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 36 (¥288) | ¥188 | + 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 164 (¥1,333) | ¥4,604 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 27% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 440 (¥3,572) | ¥4,908 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 242 (¥1,960) | ¥3,881 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (¥9,360) | ¥7,212 | + 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 720 (¥5,840) | ¥8,269 | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 98 (¥793) | ¥1,244 | - 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 46 (¥373) | ¥547 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (¥296) | ¥674 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (¥96,503) | ¥51,659 | + 87% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 4.26 (¥35) | ¥52 | - 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 556 (¥4,510) | ¥9,530 | - 53% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (¥450) | ¥602 | - 25% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,131 prices entered by 173 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 02, 2025.
Exchange rate:
8.110
JPY
/
ZAR
Cost of living in South Africa is 25% cheaper than in Japan
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