Cost of living in South Africa compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 35% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 116 (Mex$ 127) | Mex$ 305 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 82 (Mex$ 89) | Mex$ 175 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 54 (Mex$ 59) | Mex$ 72 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (Mex$ 21) | Mex$ 28 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 49 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (Mex$ 32) | Mex$ 34 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 87 (Mex$ 95) | Mex$ 85 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (Mex$ 31) | Mex$ 46 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 33 | - 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 26 (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 31 | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 (Mex$ 194) | Mex$ 265 | - 27% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (Mex$ 29) | Mex$ 38 | - 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (Mex$ 15) | Mex$ 29 | - 46% | |
| Housing | + 23% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 23% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,267 (Mex$ 18,908) | Mex$ 22,849 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,251 (Mex$ 13,415) | Mex$ 11,797 | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,181 (Mex$ 2,388) | Mex$ 1,264 | + 89% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 17,769 (Mex$ 19,458) | Mex$ 14,668 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 12,055 (Mex$ 13,201) | Mex$ 7,452 | + 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,095 (Mex$ 2,294) | Mex$ 866 | + 165% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 618 (Mex$ 677) | Mex$ 420 | + 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,650 (Mex$ 6,187) | Mex$ 5,700 | + 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,413 (Mex$ 1,548) | Mex$ 2,420 | - 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 151 (Mex$ 165) | Mex$ 125 | + 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 136 (Mex$ 148) | Mex$ 136 | + 9% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 850 (Mex$ 931) | Mex$ 937 | - 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 676 (Mex$ 741) | Mex$ 760 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,718 (Mex$ 1,882) | Mex$ 1,676 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,386 (Mex$ 1,517) | Mex$ 1,426 | + 6% | |
| Transportation | + 24% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 24% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 487,338 (Mex$ 533,660) | Mex$ 411,115 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 24 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 786 (Mex$ 861) | Mex$ 653 | + 32% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 10% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 108 (Mex$ 118) | Mex$ 101 | + 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 242 (Mex$ 265) | Mex$ 255 | + 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 597 (Mex$ 653) | Mex$ 731 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 54 (Mex$ 59) | Mex$ 81 | - 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 40 (Mex$ 44) | Mex$ 66 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (Mex$ 81) | Mex$ 83 | - 2% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 43 (Mex$ 47) | Mex$ 39 | + 21% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 36 (Mex$ 39) | Mex$ 40 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 148 (Mex$ 163) | Mex$ 302 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | + 14% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 14% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (Mex$ 471) | Mex$ 388 | + 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 252 (Mex$ 276) | Mex$ 174 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (Mex$ 1,264) | Mex$ 929 | + 36% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 676 (Mex$ 740) | Mex$ 861 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 109 (Mex$ 119) | Mex$ 199 | - 40% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 46 (Mex$ 51) | Mex$ 91 | - 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 35 (Mex$ 38) | Mex$ 57 | - 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (Mex$ 13,030) | Mex$ 11,182 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 4.91 (Mex$ 5.38) | Mex$ 2.22 | + 143% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 467 (Mex$ 511) | Mex$ 887 | - 42% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 56 (Mex$ 62) | Mex$ 80 | - 23% | |
| TOTAL | + 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.095
MXN
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 7,362 prices entered by 757 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 5% more expensive than in Mexico
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 152% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Mexico
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 92% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Armenia is 27% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 64% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Albania is 15% cheaper than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Argentina is 21% more expensive than in Mexico
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 58% more expensive than in Mexico