Cost of living in South Africa compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 47% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 126 (£5.52) | £15 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (£3.70) | £8 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (£2.44) | £3.96 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (£0.85) | £1.17 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (£2.22) | £3.77 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (£1.28) | £2.51 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (£3.96) | £4.87 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 (£1.35) | £2.16 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (£1.13) | £0.92 | + 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (£1.18) | £2.11 | - 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 144 (£6) | £10 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (£1.18) | £2.28 | - 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (£0.62) | £1.07 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 66% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 66% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,971 (£657) | £2,822 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,971 (£481) | £2,172 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,134 (£94) | £192 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 14,448 (£634) | £1,954 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 10,086 (£443) | £1,333 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,095 (£92) | £153 | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 602 (£26) | £27 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,447 (£283) | £283 | + 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,670 (£73) | £86 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 135 (£5.93) | £7 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 131 (£5.73) | £15 | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 27% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 845 (£37) | £71 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 620 (£27) | £35 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,817 (£80) | £83 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,593 (£70) | £87 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 60% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 60% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 396,258 (£17,387) | £28,527 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (£1.02) | £1.45 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 791 (£35) | £114 | - 69% | |
| Personal Care | - 39% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 48 (£2.12) | £3.66 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 (£8) | £8 | - 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 543 (£24) | £62 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 (£2.52) | £3.94 | - 36% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (£1.70) | £1.92 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (£2.97) | £4.56 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 33 (£1.46) | £2.22 | - 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 31 (£1.36) | £1.91 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 113 (£4.94) | £15 | - 68% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (£19) | £37 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 (£10) | £23 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (£51) | £114 | - 56% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 654 (£29) | £68 | - 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (£4.15) | £11 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 (£1.68) | £3.69 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (£1.81) | £6 | - 70% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (£522) | £429 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 (£0.13) | £0.12 | + 12% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 541 (£24) | £40 | - 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (£2.43) | £15 | - 84% | |
| TOTAL | - 56% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04388
GBP
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,280 prices entered by 568 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 56% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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