Cost of living in South Africa compared to Nigeria
Currency:
| Food | + 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 49% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 127 (10,955 ₦) | 6,197 ₦ | + 77% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 86 (7,428 ₦) | 4,250 ₦ | + 75% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (4,852 ₦) | 3,207 ₦ | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 (1,703 ₦) | 1,143 ₦ | + 49% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (4,372 ₦) | 2,479 ₦ | + 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 31 (2,674 ₦) | 1,495 ₦ | + 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (7,780 ₦) | 5,933 ₦ | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (2,397 ₦) | 3,488 ₦ | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 27 (2,285 ₦) | 2,733 ₦ | - 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (2,300 ₦) | 1,037 ₦ | + 122% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 (15,262 ₦) | 9,593 ₦ | + 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (2,422 ₦) | 1,084 ₦ | + 123% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (1,205 ₦) | 1,323 ₦ | - 9% | |
| Housing | + 16% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 16% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 20,262 (1,744,367 ₦) | 2,222,680 ₦ | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,687 (1,092,166 ₦) | 1,328,290 ₦ | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,114 (181,988 ₦) | 153,894 ₦ | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 16,511 (1,421,430 ₦) | 844,148 ₦ | + 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,420 (983,126 ₦) | 754,176 ₦ | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,164 (186,266 ₦) | 240,561 ₦ | - 23% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 649 (55,858 ₦) | 28,675 ₦ | + 95% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,730 (493,282 ₦) | 387,079 ₦ | + 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,598 (137,567 ₦) | 126,450 ₦ | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 175 (15,058 ₦) | 2,193 ₦ | + 587% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 120 (10,332 ₦) | 2,985 ₦ | + 246% | |
| Clothes | + 235% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 235% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 757 (65,156 ₦) | 17,024 ₦ | + 283% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 658 (56,604 ₦) | 15,682 ₦ | + 261% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,642 (141,330 ₦) | 45,968 ₦ | + 207% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,308 (112,572 ₦) | 50,000 ₦ | + 125% | |
| Transportation | + 103% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 103% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 596,621 (51,362,425 ₦) | 5,000,000 ₦ | + 927% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 22 (1,926 ₦) | 1,034 ₦ | + 86% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 622 (53,524 ₦) | 34,491 ₦ | + 55% | |
| Personal Care | + 156% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 156% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 95 (8,186 ₦) | 4,044 ₦ | + 102% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 264 (22,759 ₦) | 1,768 ₦ | + 1187% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 586 (50,442 ₦) | 17,619 ₦ | + 186% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 63 (5,460 ₦) | 4,474 ₦ | + 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 44 (3,775 ₦) | 1,749 ₦ | + 116% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 82 (7,034 ₦) | 3,834 ₦ | + 83% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 45 (3,878 ₦) | 2,923 ₦ | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 35 (3,044 ₦) | 1,338 ₦ | + 128% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 179 (15,424 ₦) | 3,631 ₦ | + 325% | |
| Entertainment | + 38% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 38% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 411 (35,400 ₦) | 43,872 ₦ | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 280 (24,091 ₦) | 11,069 ₦ | + 118% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,686 (145,160 ₦) | 15,224 ₦ | + 854% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 741 (63,791 ₦) | 42,055 ₦ | + 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (8,207 ₦) | 4,541 ₦ | + 81% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 53 (4,528 ₦) | 3,331 ₦ | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (3,561 ₦) | 1,421 ₦ | + 151% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 6,924 (596,083 ₦) | 298,218 ₦ | + 100% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.92 (337 ₦) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 543 (46,768 ₦) | 20,174 ₦ | + 132% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (4,627 ₦) | 2,500 ₦ | + 85% | |
| TOTAL | + 57% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,004 prices entered by 103 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
86.089
NGN
/
ZAR
*
Cost of living in South Africa is 57% more expensive than in Nigeria
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