Cost of living in Zimbabwe compared to South Africa
Currency:
Food | + 69% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zimbabwe is 69% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
Zimbabwe | South Africa | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $11 (R 202) | R 147 | + 37% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (R 172) | R 83 | + 108% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.17 (R 60) | R 50 | + 18% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.62 (R 30) | R 20 | + 53% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.19 (R 79) | R 43 | + 81% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $1.82 (R 34) | R 27 | + 26% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (R 151) | R 83 | + 82% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.34 (R 82) | R 28 | + 186% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $4.00 (R 75) | R 24 | + 216% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.14 (R 40) | R 22 | + 84% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (R 279) | R 98 | + 186% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.13 (R 40) | R 24 | + 67% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.25 (R 23) | R 17 | + 42% | |
Housing | + 109% | |||
Housing in Zimbabwe is 109% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
Zimbabwe | South Africa | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,913 (R 35,921) | R 17,979 | + 100% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,080 (R 20,283) | R 12,359 | + 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $154 (R 2,889) | R 2,014 | + 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $886 (R 16,643) | R 10,176 | + 64% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $739 (R 13,869) | R 6,899 | + 101% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $126 (R 2,368) | R 1,089 | + 117% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $100 (R 1,871) | R 661 | + 183% | |
40” flat screen tv | $365 (R 6,846) | R 5,454 | + 26% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $201 (R 3,772) | R 1,657 | + 128% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $10 (R 197) | R 122 | + 61% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $15 (R 282) | R 73 | + 285% | |
Clothes | + 4% | |||
Clothes in Zimbabwe is about the same as in South Africa | ||||
Zimbabwe | South Africa | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (R 1,018) | R 848 | + 20% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $32 (R 603) | R 600 | + 1% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $82 (R 1,535) | R 1,596 | - 4% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $67 (R 1,260) | R 1,363 | - 8% | |
Transportation | + 12% | |||
Transportation in Zimbabwe is 12% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
Zimbabwe | South Africa | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $20,000 (R 375,504) | R 415,328 | - 10% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.64 (R 31) | R 24 | + 29% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $52 (R 974) | R 839 | + 16% | |
Personal Care | + 33% | |||
Personal Care in Zimbabwe is 33% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
Zimbabwe | South Africa | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.00 (R 94) | R 55 | + 70% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $5.43 (R 102) | R 176 | - 42% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $40 (R 756) | R 599 | + 26% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (R 123) | R 47 | + 159% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $2.97 (R 56) | R 34 | + 63% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.14 (R 78) | R 62 | + 25% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $2.49 (R 47) | R 37 | + 26% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.07 (R 39) | R 25 | + 55% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (R 417) | R 165 | + 152% | |
Entertainment | + 73% | |||
Entertainment in Zimbabwe is 73% more expensive than in South Africa | ||||
Zimbabwe | South Africa | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $48 (R 907) | R 430 | + 111% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $18 (R 346) | R 218 | + 59% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $40 (R 751) | R 767 | - 2% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $71 (R 1,340) | R 702 | + 91% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 (R 122) | R 76 | + 60% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.00 (R 94) | R 36 | + 162% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $3.52 (R 66) | R 33 | + 99% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $600 (R 11,265) | R 10,008 | + 13% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.25 (R 4.69) | R 1.84 | + 155% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $37 (R 698) | R 617 | + 13% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $3.00 (R 56) | R 51 | + 11% | |
TOTAL | + 56% |
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,691 prices entered by 178 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 17, 2024.
Exchange rate:
18.775
ZAR
/
USD
Cost of living in Zimbabwe is 56% more expensive than in South Africa
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