Cost of living in South Africa compared to Romania
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 13% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 126 (33 lei) | 47 lei | - 31% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (22 lei) | 32 lei | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (14 lei) | 17 lei | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (5.03 lei) | 8 lei | - 37% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (13 lei) | 13 lei | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (8 lei) | 10 lei | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (23 lei) | 22 lei | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 (8 lei) | 5.32 lei | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (7 lei) | 3.61 lei | + 85% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (7 lei) | 4.83 lei | + 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 144 (37 lei) | 34 lei | + 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (7 lei) | 11 lei | - 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (3.68 lei) | 3.39 lei | + 8% | |
| Housing | + 31% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 31% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,971 (3,871 lei) | 3,649 lei | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,971 (2,837 lei) | 2,461 lei | + 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,134 (552 lei) | 580 lei | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 14,448 (3,735 lei) | 2,439 lei | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 10,086 (2,608 lei) | 1,664 lei | + 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,095 (542 lei) | 405 lei | + 34% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 602 (156 lei) | 40 lei | + 290% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,447 (1,667 lei) | 1,483 lei | + 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,670 (432 lei) | 486 lei | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 135 (35 lei) | 62 lei | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 131 (34 lei) | 43 lei | - 22% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 845 (219 lei) | 370 lei | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 620 (160 lei) | 147 lei | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,817 (470 lei) | 353 lei | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,593 (412 lei) | 416 lei | - 1% | |
| Transportation | + 32% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 32% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 396,258 (102,453 lei) | 121,948 lei | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (6 lei) | 7 lei | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 791 (204 lei) | 97 lei | + 111% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 36% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 48 (13 lei) | 25 lei | - 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 (45 lei) | 30 lei | + 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 543 (140 lei) | 275 lei | - 49% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 (15 lei) | 23 lei | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (10 lei) | 23 lei | - 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (18 lei) | 30 lei | - 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 33 (9 lei) | 7 lei | + 25% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 31 (8 lei) | 17 lei | - 52% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 113 (29 lei) | 44 lei | - 35% | |
| Entertainment | - 20% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 20% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (111 lei) | 112 lei | - 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 (58 lei) | 60 lei | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (298 lei) | 311 lei | - 4% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 654 (169 lei) | 259 lei | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (24 lei) | 36 lei | - 32% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 (10 lei) | 18 lei | - 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (11 lei) | 12 lei | - 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (3,077 lei) | 3,811 lei | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 (0.79 lei) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 541 (140 lei) | 228 lei | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (14 lei) | 26 lei | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | + 6% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.25855
RON
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,434 prices entered by 198 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 6% more expensive than in Romania
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