Cost of living in South Africa compared to Nigeria
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 4% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 133 (5,409 ₦) | 2,119 ₦ | + 155% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 82 (3,323 ₦) | 3,174 ₦ | + 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (1,786 ₦) | 2,563 ₦ | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (783 ₦) | 1,441 ₦ | - 46% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 40 (1,638 ₦) | 1,270 ₦ | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 26 (1,065 ₦) | 991 ₦ | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 80 (3,258 ₦) | 2,753 ₦ | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 29 (1,174 ₦) | 2,293 ₦ | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 25 (1,003 ₦) | 1,917 ₦ | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 25 (1,016 ₦) | 657 ₦ | + 55% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 107 (4,347 ₦) | 4,267 ₦ | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (977 ₦) | 750 ₦ | + 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (708 ₦) | 678 ₦ | + 4% | |
| Housing | + 2% | |||
| 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 16,056 (653,767 ₦) | 451,523 ₦ | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,480 (467,426 ₦) | 228,437 ₦ | + 105% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,007 (81,704 ₦) | 65,443 ₦ | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,876 (361,397 ₦) | 514,982 ₦ | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,725 (273,818 ₦) | 466,568 ₦ | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,289 (52,470 ₦) | 126,232 ₦ | - 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 647 (26,326 ₦) | 19,590 ₦ | + 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,375 (218,870 ₦) | 190,281 ₦ | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,798 (73,221 ₦) | 71,787 ₦ | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 128 (5,230 ₦) | 3,559 ₦ | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 71 (2,892 ₦) | - | - | |
| Clothes | + 46% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 46% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 836 (34,020 ₦) | 12,848 ₦ | + 165% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 625 (25,468 ₦) | 18,978 ₦ | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,566 (63,780 ₦) | 36,493 ₦ | + 75% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,371 (55,834 ₦) | 69,715 ₦ | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 70% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 70% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 406,338 (16,545,125 ₦) | 5,616,260 ₦ | + 195% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 24 (959 ₦) | 485 ₦ | + 98% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 1,189 (48,414 ₦) | 30,349 ₦ | + 60% | |
| Personal Care | + 31% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 31% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 82 (3,354 ₦) | 936 ₦ | + 258% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 245 (9,988 ₦) | 8,438 ₦ | + 18% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 577 (23,500 ₦) | 16,919 ₦ | + 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 44 (1,782 ₦) | 2,431 ₦ | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (1,446 ₦) | 2,005 ₦ | - 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (3,015 ₦) | 1,872 ₦ | + 61% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 (1,380 ₦) | 779 ₦ | + 77% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 (1,052 ₦) | 794 ₦ | + 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 168 (6,843 ₦) | 1,771 ₦ | + 286% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 22% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| South Africa | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 438 (17,816 ₦) | 12,066 ₦ | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 235 (9,588 ₦) | 8,082 ₦ | + 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 745 (30,354 ₦) | 13,012 ₦ | + 133% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 719 (29,278 ₦) | 45,534 ₦ | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 70 (2,844 ₦) | 6,738 ₦ | - 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 34 (1,400 ₦) | 1,500 ₦ | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (1,342 ₦) | 1,000 ₦ | + 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,711 (436,114 ₦) | 49,403 ₦ | + 783% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.57 (64 ₦) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 639 (26,007 ₦) | 17,745 ₦ | + 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 49 (1,997 ₦) | 1,413 ₦ | + 41% | |
| TOTAL | + 28% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,916 prices entered by 231 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
40.718
NGN
/
ZAR
*
Cost of living in South Africa is 28% more expensive than in Nigeria
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 12% more expensive than in Nigeria
- Cost of living in Armenia is 34% more expensive than in Nigeria
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 99% more expensive than in Nigeria
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in Nigeria
- Cost of living in Argentina is 14% more expensive than in Nigeria
- Cost of living in Angola is about the same as in Nigeria
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 94% more expensive than in Nigeria
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 145% more expensive than in Nigeria