Cost of living in South Africa compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 103 (7 B/.) | 12 B/. | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 59 (4.08 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 (2.94 B/.) | 3.37 B/. | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 (1.01 B/.) | 1.58 B/. | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 35 (2.38 B/.) | 2.41 B/. | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (1.45 B/.) | 2.47 B/. | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 (4.25 B/.) | 6 B/. | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 (1.61 B/.) | 3.11 B/. | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (1.45 B/.) | 2.23 B/. | - 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 (1.23 B/.) | 0.88 B/. | + 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 88 (6 B/.) | 9 B/. | - 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 21 (1.42 B/.) | 2.48 B/. | - 43% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (0.84 B/.) | 1.30 B/. | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 16% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 16% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,017 (1,037 B/.) | 1,333 B/. | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,397 (649 B/.) | 828 B/. | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,335 (92 B/.) | 130 B/. | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,710 (740 B/.) | 924 B/. | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,523 (450 B/.) | 605 B/. | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 823 (57 B/.) | 91 B/. | - 38% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 629 (43 B/.) | 31 B/. | + 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,110 (353 B/.) | 374 B/. | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,457 (101 B/.) | 107 B/. | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 82 (5.66 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 44 (3.02 B/.) | 4.67 B/. | - 35% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 18% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 755 (52 B/.) | 51 B/. | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 650 (45 B/.) | 35 B/. | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,301 (90 B/.) | 78 B/. | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,200 (83 B/.) | 80 B/. | + 4% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 26% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 308,992 (21,337 B/.) | 20,077 B/. | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 16 (1.11 B/.) | 0.82 B/. | + 35% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 655 (45 B/.) | 32 B/. | + 42% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 64 (4.45 B/.) | 9 B/. | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 228 (16 B/.) | 28 B/. | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 459 (32 B/.) | 47 B/. | - 32% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 43 (2.99 B/.) | 4.54 B/. | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 (2.13 B/.) | 4.01 B/. | - 47% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 57 (3.97 B/.) | 5.42 B/. | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 (1.70 B/.) | 2.51 B/. | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 20 (1.38 B/.) | 2.47 B/. | - 44% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 120 (8 B/.) | 15 B/. | - 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 347 (24 B/.) | 34 B/. | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 170 (12 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 741 (51 B/.) | 46 B/. | + 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 530 (37 B/.) | 57 B/. | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 62 (4.29 B/.) | 10 B/. | - 55% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 (2.10 B/.) | 3.96 B/. | - 47% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 31 (2.15 B/.) | 2.72 B/. | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 7,469 (516 B/.) | 538 B/. | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.86 (0.13 B/.) | 0.24 B/. | - 46% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 539 (37 B/.) | 50 B/. | - 26% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 42 (2.92 B/.) | 5.35 B/. | - 45% | |
| TOTAL | - 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 16, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.06905
PAB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,077 prices entered by 512 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 14% cheaper than in Panama
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