Cost of living in South Africa compared to Thailand
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 28% cheaper than in Thailand | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 111 (222 ฿) | 189 ฿ | + 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 62 (125 ฿) | 196 ฿ | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 (85 ฿) | 64 ฿ | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 (30 ฿) | 48 ฿ | - 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 32 (64 ฿) | 75 ฿ | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (41 ฿) | 39 ฿ | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 (122 ฿) | 383 ฿ | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (47 ฿) | 88 ฿ | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 17 (34 ฿) | 46 ฿ | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 (37 ฿) | 56 ฿ | - 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 101 (203 ฿) | 757 ฿ | - 73% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 (44 ฿) | 38 ฿ | + 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 (20 ฿) | 45 ฿ | - 55% | |
| Housing | + 11% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 11% more expensive than in Thailand | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,633 (29,389 ฿) | 35,646 ฿ | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,050 (18,177 ฿) | 18,848 ฿ | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,186 (2,382 ฿) | 2,250 ฿ | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,839 (21,770 ฿) | 20,202 ฿ | + 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,886 (13,831 ฿) | 10,582 ฿ | + 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 803 (1,612 ฿) | 1,076 ฿ | + 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 584 (1,173 ฿) | 508 ฿ | + 131% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,053 (10,148 ฿) | 9,696 ฿ | + 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,493 (2,999 ฿) | 1,926 ฿ | + 56% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 91 (184 ฿) | 164 ฿ | + 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 34 (68 ฿) | 176 ฿ | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in Thailand | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 805 (1,618 ฿) | 1,423 ฿ | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 610 (1,225 ฿) | 1,287 ฿ | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,337 (2,685 ฿) | 2,846 ฿ | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,178 (2,366 ฿) | 2,508 ฿ | - 6% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is about the same as in Thailand | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 345,568 (694,055 ฿) | 991,938 ฿ | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (30 ฿) | 25 ฿ | + 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 656 (1,317 ฿) | 1,128 ฿ | + 17% | |
| Personal Care | - 7% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in Thailand | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 68 (136 ฿) | 158 ฿ | - 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 226 (453 ฿) | 270 ฿ | + 68% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 500 (1,004 ฿) | 1,125 ฿ | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 (103 ฿) | 145 ฿ | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 (62 ฿) | 91 ฿ | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 50 (100 ฿) | 128 ฿ | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 (53 ฿) | 60 ฿ | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 (39 ฿) | 49 ฿ | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 128 (258 ฿) | 277 ฿ | - 7% | |
| Entertainment | - 15% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 15% cheaper than in Thailand | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 348 (700 ฿) | 696 ฿ | + 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 176 (353 ฿) | 403 ฿ | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 706 (1,418 ฿) | 3,336 ฿ | - 57% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 565 (1,136 ฿) | 1,612 ฿ | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 68 (136 ฿) | 273 ฿ | - 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (66 ฿) | 117 ฿ | - 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (68 ฿) | 103 ฿ | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,867 (21,825 ฿) | 14,499 ฿ | + 51% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.78 (3.57 ฿) | 2.78 ฿ | + 28% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 514 (1,032 ฿) | 1,921 ฿ | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 44 (88 ฿) | 118 ฿ | - 25% | |
| TOTAL | - 7% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2021.
Exchange rate:
2.008
THB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,649 prices entered by 381 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in Thailand
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Andorra is 75% more expensive than in Thailand
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 77% more expensive than in Thailand
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 22% cheaper than in Thailand
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in Thailand
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 55% more expensive than in Thailand
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 66% more expensive than in Thailand
- Cost of living in Armenia is 47% cheaper than in Thailand
- Cost of living in Albania is 14% cheaper than in Thailand