Cost of living in South Africa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 127 (¥1,013) | ¥1,145 | - 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 68 (¥541) | ¥719 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 (¥326) | ¥437 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (¥131) | ¥211 | - 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 40 (¥322) | ¥282 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (¥170) | ¥815 | - 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 (¥496) | ¥951 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (¥192) | ¥984 | - 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 19 (¥152) | ¥421 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 (¥169) | ¥268 | - 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 87 (¥693) | ¥1,770 | - 61% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (¥185) | ¥217 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (¥111) | ¥225 | - 51% | |
| Housing | - 32% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,369 (¥122,923) | ¥194,768 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,409 (¥91,246) | ¥126,641 | - 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,460 (¥11,676) | ¥21,178 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,813 (¥70,485) | ¥142,258 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,404 (¥51,222) | ¥80,836 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 868 (¥6,940) | ¥13,643 | - 49% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 755 (¥6,039) | ¥3,988 | + 51% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,293 (¥42,331) | ¥59,521 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,766 (¥14,126) | ¥17,809 | - 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 84 (¥674) | ¥665 | + 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 36 (¥286) | ¥2,700 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 807 (¥6,455) | ¥7,941 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 546 (¥4,369) | ¥4,162 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,461 (¥11,682) | ¥7,471 | + 56% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,267 (¥10,132) | ¥15,388 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 316,988 (¥2,535,265) | ¥2,576,380 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 20 (¥160) | ¥161 | - 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 827 (¥6,614) | ¥16,725 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 42% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 51 (¥405) | ¥1,370 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 175 (¥1,402) | ¥1,955 | - 28% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 421 (¥3,368) | ¥3,523 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 37 (¥299) | ¥2,205 | - 86% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 29 (¥233) | ¥648 | - 64% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 56 (¥448) | ¥409 | + 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 (¥242) | ¥143 | + 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 (¥155) | ¥184 | - 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 132 (¥1,054) | ¥3,583 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 387 (¥3,098) | ¥4,280 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 194 (¥1,552) | ¥3,593 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 606 (¥4,849) | ¥20,657 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 582 (¥4,656) | ¥6,242 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 77 (¥616) | ¥1,034 | - 40% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 (¥240) | ¥533 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (¥261) | ¥526 | - 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,284 (¥74,257) | ¥58,872 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.68 (¥13) | ¥41 | - 67% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 533 (¥4,263) | ¥11,178 | - 62% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 (¥364) | ¥554 | - 34% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2022.
Exchange rate:
7.998
JPY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,758 prices entered by 239 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Japan
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