Cost of living in South Africa compared to Kenya
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 4% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| South Africa | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 151 (Shilling1,070) | Shilling624 | + 72% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 83 (Shilling590) | Shilling754 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 46 (Shilling326) | Shilling379 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (Shilling138) | Shilling119 | + 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 (Shilling274) | Shilling226 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 27 (Shilling189) | Shilling114 | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 84 (Shilling596) | Shilling706 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (Shilling196) | Shilling275 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (Shilling162) | Shilling109 | + 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 25 (Shilling177) | Shilling236 | - 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 97 (Shilling685) | Shilling1,461 | - 53% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (Shilling163) | Shilling192 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (Shilling119) | Shilling59 | + 102% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in Kenya | ||||
| South Africa | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,362 (Shilling122,641) | Shilling131,875 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,209 (Shilling86,242) | Shilling56,145 | + 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,691 (Shilling11,943) | Shilling15,047 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,309 (Shilling72,821) | Shilling63,358 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,356 (Shilling51,963) | Shilling23,400 | + 122% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,482 (Shilling10,466) | Shilling8,455 | + 24% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 687 (Shilling4,855) | Shilling5,873 | - 17% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,794 (Shilling47,987) | Shilling43,137 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,787 (Shilling12,624) | Shilling23,937 | - 47% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 113 (Shilling800) | Shilling700 | + 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 55 (Shilling389) | - | - | |
| Clothes | + 82% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 82% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| South Africa | Kenya | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 849 (Shilling6,000) | Shilling2,095 | + 186% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 622 (Shilling4,396) | Shilling2,759 | + 59% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,601 (Shilling11,308) | Shilling5,660 | + 100% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,414 (Shilling9,991) | Shilling5,773 | + 73% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 17% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| South Africa | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 413,067 (Shilling2,917,785) | Shilling2,467,240 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (Shilling165) | Shilling161 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 723 (Shilling5,109) | Shilling4,100 | + 25% | |
| Personal Care | + 59% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 59% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| South Africa | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 120 (Shilling847) | Shilling178 | + 375% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 227 (Shilling1,606) | Shilling320 | + 402% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 631 (Shilling4,460) | Shilling4,026 | + 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 50 (Shilling354) | Shilling333 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (Shilling254) | Shilling308 | - 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 63 (Shilling445) | Shilling439 | + 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 38 (Shilling270) | Shilling100 | + 170% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 29 (Shilling203) | Shilling122 | + 66% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 232 (Shilling1,638) | Shilling1,306 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | + 17% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 17% more expensive than in Kenya | ||||
| South Africa | Kenya | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 477 (Shilling3,368) | Shilling3,290 | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 211 (Shilling1,493) | Shilling1,586 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 730 (Shilling5,157) | Shilling1,600 | + 222% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 672 (Shilling4,746) | Shilling4,205 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 74 (Shilling521) | Shilling1,300 | - 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (Shilling235) | Shilling295 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (Shilling253) | Shilling260 | - 3% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,457 (Shilling59,738) | Shilling26,546 | + 125% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.72 (Shilling12) | Shilling4.09 | + 197% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 604 (Shilling4,269) | Shilling5,256 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 50 (Shilling356) | Shilling306 | + 16% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
7.064
KES
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,826 prices entered by 225 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 14% more expensive than in Kenya
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