- Cost of Living
- South Africa
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 97 ($7) | $14 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 57 ($4.31) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 ($3.03) | $4.45 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 14 ($1.08) | $0.89 | + 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 30 ($2.26) | $3.27 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 18 ($1.33) | $4.17 | - 68% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 71 ($5.31) | $6 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 21 ($1.54) | $3.34 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 18 ($1.36) | $1.62 | - 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 15 ($1.14) | $2.49 | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 79 ($5.96) | $14 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 16 ($1.19) | $1.91 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 ($0.77) | $2.10 | - 64% | |
| 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 14,861 ($1,116) | $2,070 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 10,015 ($752) | $1,546 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,222 ($92) | $171 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 10,486 ($787) | $1,538 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 6,780 ($509) | $1,080 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 785 ($59) | $112 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 690 ($52) | $48 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 6,401 ($481) | $367 | + 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,718 ($129) | $121 | + 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 81 ($6) | $11 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 26 ($1.97) | $22 | - 91% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 3% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | R 758 ($57) | $47 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 636 ($48) | $46 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,240 ($93) | $86 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,161 ($87) | $116 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 298,103 ($22,380) | $21,849 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 13 ($0.99) | $0.65 | + 52% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 586 ($44) | $90 | - 51% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 57 ($4.25) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 208 ($16) | $17 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 382 ($29) | $108 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 51 ($3.81) | $6 | - 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 28 ($2.11) | $3.49 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 48 ($3.61) | $4.73 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 ($1.85) | $3.25 | - 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 15 ($1.16) | $1.78 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 125 ($9) | $20 | - 53% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 304 ($23) | $44 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 140 ($11) | $24 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 641 ($48) | $159 | - 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 529 ($40) | $78 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 59 ($4.40) | $11 | - 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 26 ($1.96) | $4.69 | - 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 27 ($1.99) | $5.63 | - 65% | |
| iPad Air 2, 64GB | R 8,790 ($660) | $459 | + 44% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.84 ($0.14) | $0.26 | - 47% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 504 ($38) | $52 | - 27% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 38 ($2.87) | $8 | - 63% | |
| TOTAL | - 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 23, 2017.
Exchange rate:
0.07508
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 96,420 prices entered by 13,945 different people.
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Cost of living in South Africa is 41% cheaper than in United States
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