Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 58% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 ($8) | $19 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 72 ($4.16) | $10 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 45 ($2.59) | $5.73 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 ($1.05) | $1.09 | - 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 42 ($2.42) | $4.49 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 23 ($1.36) | $4.56 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 ($3.93) | $7 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 ($1.52) | $4.23 | - 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 ($1.21) | $2.15 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 ($1.30) | $3.29 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 ($5.77) | $16 | - 64% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 ($1.37) | $2.54 | - 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 ($0.88) | $2.82 | - 69% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,258 ($945) | $2,781 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,890 ($749) | $2,073 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,667 ($97) | $217 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,381 ($603) | $1,938 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,400 ($430) | $1,451 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,227 ($71) | $147 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 710 ($41) | $59 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,565 ($323) | $302 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,165 ($126) | $131 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 90 ($5.21) | $13 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 ($3.70) | $33 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 21% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 835 ($49) | $53 | - 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 592 ($34) | $47 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,640 ($95) | $94 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,361 ($79) | $119 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 317,440 ($18,448) | $27,552 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 ($1.32) | $1.14 | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 658 ($38) | $78 | - 51% | |
| Personal Care | - 57% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 97 ($5.63) | $8 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 230 ($13) | $23 | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 533 ($31) | $139 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 47 ($2.74) | $8 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 34 ($1.99) | $4.67 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 65 ($3.79) | $5.76 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 28 ($1.61) | $4.45 | - 64% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 29 ($1.70) | $2.15 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 161 ($9) | $27 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 57% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 417 ($24) | $53 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 209 ($12) | $28 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 476 ($28) | $191 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 658 ($38) | $92 | - 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 ($4.02) | $13 | - 70% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 ($1.85) | $5.52 | - 66% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 ($1.96) | $6 | - 70% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,882 ($342) | $519 | - 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.50 ($0.09) | $0.21 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 594 ($35) | $56 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 ($2.73) | $10 | - 72% | |
| TOTAL | - 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05812
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 21,665 prices entered by 2,931 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United States
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