Cost of living in South Africa compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (8 B/.) | 14 B/. | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 72 (4.15 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 45 (2.58 B/.) | 3.91 B/. | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (1.04 B/.) | 1.63 B/. | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 42 (2.41 B/.) | 2.85 B/. | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 23 (1.36 B/.) | 2.07 B/. | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (3.92 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (1.52 B/.) | 2.55 B/. | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (1.21 B/.) | 1.96 B/. | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (1.30 B/.) | 1.51 B/. | - 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 (5.75 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 57% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (1.36 B/.) | 2.44 B/. | - 44% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (0.88 B/.) | 1.61 B/. | - 45% | |
| Housing | - 24% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,258 (943 B/.) | 1,273 B/. | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,890 (747 B/.) | 852 B/. | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,667 (97 B/.) | 127 B/. | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,381 (602 B/.) | 908 B/. | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,400 (429 B/.) | 556 B/. | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,227 (71 B/.) | 78 B/. | - 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 710 (41 B/.) | 46 B/. | - 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,565 (323 B/.) | 340 B/. | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,165 (126 B/.) | 106 B/. | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 90 (5.19 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 (3.69 B/.) | 15 B/. | - 76% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 18% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 835 (48 B/.) | 48 B/. | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 592 (34 B/.) | 26 B/. | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,640 (95 B/.) | 79 B/. | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,361 (79 B/.) | 83 B/. | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 9% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 9% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 317,440 (18,406 B/.) | 22,433 B/. | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (1.31 B/.) | 1.29 B/. | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 658 (38 B/.) | 42 B/. | - 8% | |
| Personal Care | - 54% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 97 (5.62 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 230 (13 B/.) | 32 B/. | - 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 533 (31 B/.) | 62 B/. | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 47 (2.74 B/.) | 9 B/. | - 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 34 (1.98 B/.) | 5.05 B/. | - 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 65 (3.78 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 28 (1.61 B/.) | 3.79 B/. | - 58% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 29 (1.69 B/.) | 3.38 B/. | - 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 161 (9 B/.) | 19 B/. | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 417 (24 B/.) | 29 B/. | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 209 (12 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 476 (28 B/.) | 55 B/. | - 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 658 (38 B/.) | 47 B/. | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (4.01 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (1.85 B/.) | 5.69 B/. | - 68% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (1.95 B/.) | 2.75 B/. | - 29% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,882 (341 B/.) | 651 B/. | - 48% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.50 (0.09 B/.) | 0.22 B/. | - 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 594 (34 B/.) | 47 B/. | - 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (2.73 B/.) | 5.66 B/. | - 52% | |
| TOTAL | - 28% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05798
PAB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,246 prices entered by 260 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 28% cheaper than in Panama
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