Cost of living in South Africa compared to Pakistan
Currency:
| Food | + 57% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 57% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| South Africa | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 121 (₨1,868) | ₨916 | + 104% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (₨1,298) | ₨1,082 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 55 (₨854) | ₨533 | + 60% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (₨293) | ₨230 | + 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 50 (₨765) | ₨315 | + 142% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 28 (₨432) | ₨170 | + 155% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 92 (₨1,417) | ₨836 | + 69% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 27 (₨419) | ₨289 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (₨360) | ₨114 | + 216% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 26 (₨403) | ₨391 | + 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 178 (₨2,746) | ₨2,739 | + 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (₨431) | ₨216 | + 99% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (₨209) | ₨144 | + 45% | |
| Housing | + 166% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 166% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| South Africa | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 18,561 (₨285,986) | ₨137,741 | + 108% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,976 (₨184,526) | ₨58,708 | + 214% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,227 (₨34,320) | ₨21,580 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 15,662 (₨241,329) | ₨75,090 | + 221% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,697 (₨180,236) | ₨35,699 | + 405% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,937 (₨29,839) | ₨17,044 | + 75% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 641 (₨9,873) | ₨2,308 | + 328% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,522 (₨85,082) | ₨58,431 | + 46% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,489 (₨22,937) | ₨29,384 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 158 (₨2,434) | ₨1,281 | + 90% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 118 (₨1,816) | ₨625 | + 191% | |
| Clothes | + 55% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 55% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| South Africa | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 791 (₨12,186) | ₨4,832 | + 152% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 675 (₨10,408) | ₨9,004 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,719 (₨26,488) | ₨13,089 | + 102% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,386 (₨21,350) | ₨13,255 | + 61% | |
| Transportation | + 118% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 118% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| South Africa | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 539,166 (₨8,307,605) | ₨2,800,000 | + 197% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (₨351) | ₨272 | + 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 744 (₨11,463) | ₨4,030 | + 184% | |
| Personal Care | + 113% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 113% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| South Africa | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 100 (₨1,540) | ₨230 | + 571% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 242 (₨3,726) | ₨838 | + 345% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 584 (₨9,003) | ₨3,307 | + 172% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 54 (₨834) | ₨1,222 | - 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 43 (₨660) | ₨649 | + 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (₨1,134) | ₨557 | + 103% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 43 (₨658) | ₨396 | + 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 36 (₨548) | ₨217 | + 152% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 164 (₨2,532) | ₨495 | + 412% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 38% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
| South Africa | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 440 (₨6,786) | ₨3,859 | + 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 242 (₨3,724) | ₨1,827 | + 104% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (₨17,783) | ₨6,844 | + 160% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 720 (₨11,096) | ₨8,435 | + 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 98 (₨1,507) | ₨2,877 | - 48% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 46 (₨708) | ₨566 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (₨562) | ₨965 | - 42% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (₨183,344) | ₨149,999 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 4.26 (₨66) | ₨255 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 556 (₨8,569) | ₨5,305 | + 62% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (₨854) | ₨637 | + 34% | |
| TOTAL | + 55% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,480 prices entered by 273 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
15.408
PKR
/
ZAR
*
Cost of living in South Africa is 55% more expensive than in Pakistan
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