Cost of living in South Africa compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 30% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 114 (8 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 63 (4.38 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 (2.83 B/.) | 2.96 B/. | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (1.09 B/.) | 1.40 B/. | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 (2.28 B/.) | 2.82 B/. | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (1.47 B/.) | 2.47 B/. | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 (4.34 B/.) | 5.52 B/. | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (1.68 B/.) | 2.42 B/. | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 19 (1.30 B/.) | 2.06 B/. | - 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 19 (1.36 B/.) | 1.02 B/. | + 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 (7 B/.) | 10 B/. | - 33% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 (1.52 B/.) | 2.20 B/. | - 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (0.82 B/.) | 1.60 B/. | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 19% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 19% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,369 (1,005 B/.) | 1,397 B/. | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,605 (672 B/.) | 910 B/. | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,266 (89 B/.) | 105 B/. | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,424 (659 B/.) | 858 B/. | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,683 (467 B/.) | 570 B/. | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 884 (62 B/.) | 71 B/. | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 653 (46 B/.) | 41 B/. | + 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,847 (339 B/.) | 360 B/. | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,453 (102 B/.) | 113 B/. | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 94 (7 B/.) | 6 B/. | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 36 (2.54 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 68% | |
| Clothes | + 8% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 8% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 830 (58 B/.) | 43 B/. | + 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 561 (39 B/.) | 40 B/. | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,343 (94 B/.) | 75 B/. | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,240 (87 B/.) | 89 B/. | - 3% | |
| Transportation | + 32% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 32% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 342,016 (23,910 B/.) | 20,263 B/. | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (1.05 B/.) | 0.70 B/. | + 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 877 (61 B/.) | 44 B/. | + 40% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 32% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 67 (4.67 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 247 (17 B/.) | 20 B/. | - 13% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 483 (34 B/.) | 40 B/. | - 16% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 (3.53 B/.) | 4.21 B/. | - 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (2.21 B/.) | 3.91 B/. | - 44% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 53 (3.73 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 44% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 24 (1.69 B/.) | 3.05 B/. | - 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 22 (1.56 B/.) | 2.58 B/. | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 138 (10 B/.) | 16 B/. | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 16% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 356 (25 B/.) | 31 B/. | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 177 (12 B/.) | 12 B/. | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 836 (58 B/.) | 39 B/. | + 49% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 573 (40 B/.) | 52 B/. | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 80 (5.60 B/.) | 9 B/. | - 41% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (2.21 B/.) | 4.88 B/. | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (2.33 B/.) | 3.49 B/. | - 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 13,465 (941 B/.) | 525 B/. | + 79% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.90 (0.13 B/.) | 0.34 B/. | - 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 566 (40 B/.) | 46 B/. | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 46 (3.22 B/.) | 5.14 B/. | - 37% | |
| TOTAL | - 10% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 17, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06991
PAB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,857 prices entered by 287 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 10% cheaper than in Panama
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