Cost of living in South Africa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 39% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 150 (¥1,091) | ¥1,023 | + 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 78 (¥567) | ¥714 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 45 (¥331) | ¥519 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (¥142) | ¥198 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 (¥283) | ¥315 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 26 (¥189) | ¥629 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 72 (¥525) | ¥962 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (¥202) | ¥902 | - 78% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (¥167) | ¥574 | - 71% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 25 (¥182) | ¥285 | - 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 96 (¥697) | ¥1,252 | - 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (¥172) | ¥179 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (¥123) | ¥206 | - 40% | |
| Housing | - 49% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,372 (¥126,563) | ¥306,878 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,000 (¥87,427) | ¥171,772 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,691 (¥12,318) | ¥28,417 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,956 (¥72,532) | ¥157,603 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,356 (¥53,594) | ¥82,713 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,482 (¥10,794) | ¥24,082 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 687 (¥5,008) | ¥4,709 | + 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,794 (¥49,494) | ¥47,482 | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,766 (¥12,869) | ¥32,093 | - 60% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 113 (¥825) | ¥1,313 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 54 (¥395) | ¥1,878 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 849 (¥6,188) | ¥6,136 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 622 (¥4,534) | ¥5,199 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,601 (¥11,663) | ¥8,989 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,414 (¥10,305) | ¥13,588 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 413,067 (¥3,009,364) | ¥2,700,660 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (¥170) | ¥165 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 723 (¥5,270) | ¥10,143 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 44% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 120 (¥873) | ¥2,497 | - 65% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 227 (¥1,656) | ¥1,967 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 631 (¥4,600) | ¥5,380 | - 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 50 (¥365) | ¥650 | - 44% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (¥262) | ¥938 | - 72% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 63 (¥459) | ¥702 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 38 (¥278) | ¥216 | + 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 28 (¥205) | ¥216 | - 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 232 (¥1,689) | ¥4,060 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 469 (¥3,420) | ¥4,579 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 211 (¥1,540) | ¥3,600 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 730 (¥5,319) | ¥4,000 | + 33% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 672 (¥4,895) | ¥5,999 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 74 (¥537) | ¥954 | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (¥241) | ¥472 | - 49% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (¥261) | ¥583 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,457 (¥61,613) | ¥67,950 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.72 (¥13) | ¥52 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 604 (¥4,403) | ¥9,405 | - 53% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 50 (¥363) | ¥592 | - 39% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
7.285
JPY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,348 prices entered by 290 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Japan
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