- Cost of Living
- South Africa
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 109 ($8) | $14 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 59 ($4.19) | $8 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 ($2.94) | $4.56 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 14 ($1.03) | $0.89 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 34 ($2.42) | $3.17 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 19 ($1.32) | $4.04 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 63 ($4.49) | $6 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 22 ($1.55) | $3.33 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.43) | $1.59 | - 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 ($1.27) | $3.37 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 90 ($6) | $15 | - 56% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 17 ($1.24) | $1.92 | - 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.85) | $2.12 | - 60% | |
| Housing | - 46% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | R 15,002 ($1,071) | $2,038 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 9,679 ($691) | $1,573 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,361 ($97) | $177 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 11,098 ($792) | $1,574 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 7,136 ($510) | $1,125 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 802 ($57) | $123 | - 53% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 648 ($46) | $48 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,734 ($409) | $334 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,472 ($105) | $118 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 86 ($6) | $11 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 77 ($5.52) | $23 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 1% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | R 821 ($59) | $47 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 619 ($44) | $45 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,306 ($93) | $85 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,293 ($92) | $115 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 300,156 ($21,432) | $22,279 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($1.08) | $0.77 | + 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 687 ($49) | $85 | - 42% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 71 ($5.10) | $7 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 195 ($14) | $19 | - 26% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 446 ($32) | $111 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 49 ($3.47) | $7 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 33 ($2.39) | $3.51 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 53 ($3.75) | $5.09 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 27 ($1.94) | $3.45 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 17 ($1.20) | $1.86 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 137 ($10) | $20 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 339 ($24) | $45 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 168 ($12) | $25 | - 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 797 ($57) | $172 | - 67% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 535 ($38) | $79 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 63 ($4.48) | $12 | - 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 29 ($2.06) | $4.87 | - 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 ($2.17) | $5.89 | - 63% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | R 7,910 ($565) | $427 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.90 ($0.14) | $0.34 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 573 ($41) | $53 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 42 ($2.97) | $8 | - 63% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 18, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.07140
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 100,282 prices entered by 14,287 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in United States
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