Cost of living in South Africa compared to Nigeria
Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 18% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 118 (3,326 ₦) | 2,623 ₦ | + 27% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 61 (1,716 ₦) | 3,727 ₦ | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 39 (1,100 ₦) | 1,586 ₦ | - 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (442 ₦) | 689 ₦ | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 35 (981 ₦) | 752 ₦ | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (583 ₦) | 693 ₦ | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 66 (1,859 ₦) | 3,541 ₦ | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (682 ₦) | 1,237 ₦ | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 (559 ₦) | 1,185 ₦ | - 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 20 (573 ₦) | 693 ₦ | - 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 96 (2,722 ₦) | 3,257 ₦ | - 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (654 ₦) | 366 ₦ | + 79% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (343 ₦) | 423 ₦ | - 19% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,169 (399,995 ₦) | 441,661 ₦ | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,478 (267,582 ₦) | 291,216 ₦ | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,277 (36,057 ₦) | 34,981 ₦ | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,062 (255,830 ₦) | 236,253 ₦ | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,303 (177,943 ₦) | 204,466 ₦ | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 816 (23,050 ₦) | 33,513 ₦ | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 667 (18,836 ₦) | 12,732 ₦ | + 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,688 (132,358 ₦) | 116,113 ₦ | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,540 (43,472 ₦) | 40,012 ₦ | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 92 (2,596 ₦) | 1,645 ₦ | + 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 34 (959 ₦) | 1,000 ₦ | - 4% | |
| Clothes | + 48% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 48% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 811 (22,901 ₦) | 7,775 ₦ | + 195% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 540 (15,246 ₦) | 14,243 ₦ | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,329 (37,511 ₦) | 15,717 ₦ | + 139% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,277 (36,057 ₦) | 15,582 ₦ | + 131% | |
| Transportation | + 65% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 65% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 344,990 (9,739,382 ₦) | 7,691,260 ₦ | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (433 ₦) | 162 ₦ | + 168% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 931 (26,297 ₦) | 14,380 ₦ | + 83% | |
| Personal Care | - 11% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 11% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 64 (1,795 ₦) | 1,873 ₦ | - 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 190 (5,366 ₦) | 3,886 ₦ | + 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 432 (12,200 ₦) | 19,893 ₦ | - 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 46 (1,300 ₦) | 1,776 ₦ | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 29 (810 ₦) | 1,014 ₦ | - 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 45 (1,265 ₦) | 2,171 ₦ | - 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 (727 ₦) | 671 ₦ | + 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 22 (611 ₦) | 649 ₦ | - 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 154 (4,345 ₦) | 2,077 ₦ | + 109% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 337 (9,505 ₦) | 9,428 ₦ | + 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 176 (4,977 ₦) | 4,368 ₦ | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 726 (20,504 ₦) | 18,463 ₦ | + 11% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 532 (15,025 ₦) | 21,062 ₦ | - 29% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 74 (2,098 ₦) | 2,330 ₦ | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 31 (873 ₦) | 2,500 ₦ | - 65% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 32 (912 ₦) | 700 ₦ | + 30% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,398 (293,545 ₦) | 178,695 ₦ | + 64% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.70 (48 ₦) | 94 ₦ | - 49% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 529 (14,939 ₦) | 16,065 ₦ | - 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 49 (1,370 ₦) | 629 ₦ | + 118% | |
| TOTAL | + 12% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,913 prices entered by 222 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 30, 2021.
Exchange rate:
28.231
NGN
/
ZAR
*
Cost of living in South Africa is 12% more expensive than in Nigeria
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