Cost of living in South Africa compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 11% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 116 (руб 539) | руб 516 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 82 (руб 379) | руб 359 | + 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 54 (руб 250) | руб 199 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (руб 88) | руб 88 | - 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (руб 235) | руб 145 | + 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (руб 133) | руб 213 | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 87 (руб 402) | руб 416 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (руб 129) | руб 130 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (руб 119) | руб 54 | + 122% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 26 (руб 120) | руб 89 | + 35% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 (руб 821) | руб 687 | + 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (руб 125) | руб 166 | - 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (руб 65) | руб 40 | + 61% | |
| Housing | + 24% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 24% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,267 (руб 80,012) | руб 106,005 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,251 (руб 56,768) | руб 58,355 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,181 (руб 10,107) | руб 8,212 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 17,769 (руб 82,338) | руб 53,538 | + 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 12,055 (руб 55,860) | руб 32,390 | + 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,095 (руб 9,706) | руб 5,826 | + 67% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 618 (руб 2,866) | руб 901 | + 218% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,650 (руб 26,179) | руб 22,130 | + 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,413 (руб 6,549) | руб 7,545 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 151 (руб 699) | руб 546 | + 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 136 (руб 628) | руб 797 | - 21% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 18% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 850 (руб 3,939) | руб 6,508 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 676 (руб 3,134) | руб 3,183 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,718 (руб 7,963) | руб 8,423 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,386 (руб 6,420) | руб 7,792 | - 18% | |
| Transportation | + 36% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 36% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 487,338 (руб 2,258,202) | руб 2,623,330 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (руб 105) | руб 55 | + 90% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 786 (руб 3,644) | руб 2,129 | + 71% | |
| Personal Care | + 39% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 39% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 108 (руб 501) | руб 316 | + 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 242 (руб 1,121) | руб 551 | + 104% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 597 (руб 2,765) | руб 1,975 | + 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 54 (руб 251) | руб 354 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 40 (руб 185) | руб 216 | - 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (руб 343) | руб 196 | + 75% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 43 (руб 198) | руб 125 | + 58% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 36 (руб 165) | руб 133 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 148 (руб 688) | руб 499 | + 38% | |
| Entertainment | + 28% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 28% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (руб 1,994) | руб 1,898 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 252 (руб 1,169) | руб 672 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (руб 5,348) | руб 5,461 | - 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 676 (руб 3,133) | руб 3,276 | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 109 (руб 505) | руб 487 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 46 (руб 214) | руб 182 | + 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 35 (руб 160) | руб 249 | - 35% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (руб 55,137) | руб 58,430 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 4.91 (руб 23) | руб 3.97 | + 473% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 467 (руб 2,164) | руб 3,415 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 56 (руб 261) | руб 209 | + 25% | |
| TOTAL | + 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.634
RUB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,759 prices entered by 263 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 22% more expensive than in Russia
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