- Cost of Living
- South Africa
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 108 ($8) | $14 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 58 ($4.03) | $8 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 ($2.90) | $4.58 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 14 ($1.00) | $0.90 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 ($2.32) | $3.21 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 18 ($1.29) | $3.99 | - 68% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 ($4.36) | $6 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 22 ($1.52) | $3.36 | - 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.40) | $1.61 | - 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 17 ($1.21) | $3.16 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 88 ($6) | $15 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 17 ($1.20) | $1.93 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 11 ($0.80) | $2.14 | - 62% | |
| 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 15,314 ($1,070) | $2,029 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 9,980 ($697) | $1,558 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,422 ($99) | $177 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 10,835 ($757) | $1,567 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 7,015 ($490) | $1,120 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 854 ($60) | $122 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 653 ($46) | $48 | - 5% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,813 ($406) | $336 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,546 ($108) | $120 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 ($6) | $11 | - 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 94 ($7) | $23 | - 71% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 3% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | R 822 ($57) | $48 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 657 ($46) | $45 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,294 ($90) | $85 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,306 ($91) | $114 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 287,039 ($20,050) | $22,132 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($1.03) | $0.75 | + 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 661 ($46) | $85 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 69 ($4.84) | $7 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 202 ($14) | $19 | - 26% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 443 ($31) | $113 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 50 ($3.46) | $7 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 ($2.27) | $3.48 | - 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 53 ($3.71) | $5.06 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 28 ($1.94) | $3.42 | - 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 18 ($1.22) | $1.84 | - 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 141 ($10) | $21 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 344 ($24) | $44 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 165 ($11) | $25 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 828 ($58) | $168 | - 66% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 541 ($38) | $79 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 60 ($4.22) | $11 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 28 ($1.97) | $4.85 | - 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 ($2.10) | $5.82 | - 64% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | R 8,553 ($597) | $429 | + 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.87 ($0.13) | $0.31 | - 59% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 575 ($40) | $53 | - 24% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 41 ($2.89) | $8 | - 63% | |
| TOTAL | - 42% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 23, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.06985
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 99,808 prices entered by 14,806 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 42% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 9% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 53% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 35% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 37% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 63% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 18% cheaper than in United States