Cost of living in South Africa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 117 (¥899) | ¥981 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 61 (¥472) | ¥700 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 (¥306) | ¥414 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (¥122) | ¥205 | - 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 (¥252) | ¥251 | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (¥163) | ¥655 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 64 (¥492) | ¥964 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (¥185) | ¥741 | - 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 18 (¥141) | ¥391 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 20 (¥151) | ¥300 | - 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 100 (¥770) | ¥1,420 | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 (¥171) | ¥178 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (¥91) | ¥217 | - 58% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 13,861 (¥106,537) | ¥299,320 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,685 (¥74,440) | ¥164,446 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,358 (¥10,437) | ¥21,056 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,183 (¥70,585) | ¥150,152 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,642 (¥51,051) | ¥78,123 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 915 (¥7,030) | ¥11,902 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 647 (¥4,971) | ¥4,118 | + 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,800 (¥36,891) | ¥70,060 | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,459 (¥11,212) | ¥12,705 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 90 (¥691) | ¥794 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 35 (¥272) | ¥2,406 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 820 (¥6,303) | ¥7,319 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 549 (¥4,221) | ¥4,417 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,364 (¥10,482) | ¥8,375 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,298 (¥9,973) | ¥13,139 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 342,187 (¥2,630,181) | ¥2,627,120 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (¥116) | ¥135 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 893 (¥6,862) | ¥10,272 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 36% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 64 (¥489) | ¥1,148 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 190 (¥1,461) | ¥1,229 | + 19% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 477 (¥3,665) | ¥5,176 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 49 (¥377) | ¥803 | - 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 (¥235) | ¥611 | - 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 48 (¥370) | ¥528 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 (¥193) | ¥152 | + 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 22 (¥172) | ¥258 | - 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 138 (¥1,061) | ¥3,156 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 350 (¥2,688) | ¥3,672 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 176 (¥1,353) | ¥3,638 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 779 (¥5,988) | ¥16,372 | - 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 540 (¥4,153) | ¥6,066 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 76 (¥585) | ¥1,131 | - 48% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 31 (¥238) | ¥435 | - 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 32 (¥246) | ¥548 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,325 (¥87,051) | ¥55,862 | + 56% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.70 (¥13) | ¥53 | - 75% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 534 (¥4,101) | ¥9,625 | - 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 49 (¥378) | ¥530 | - 29% | |
| TOTAL | - 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 08, 2021.
Exchange rate:
7.686
JPY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,845 prices entered by 335 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in Japan
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