- 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 108 ($8) | $14 | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 59 ($4.27) | $8 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 ($3.01) | $4.53 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 14 ($1.04) | $0.89 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 34 ($2.49) | $3.19 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 19 ($1.38) | $3.98 | - 65% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 63 ($4.59) | $6 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 22 ($1.60) | $3.32 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.46) | $1.61 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 ($1.30) | $3.63 | - 64% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 90 ($6) | $15 | - 56% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 18 ($1.28) | $1.92 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.86) | $2.13 | - 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 14,791 ($1,069) | $2,046 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 9,797 ($708) | $1,576 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,318 ($95) | $177 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 10,588 ($766) | $1,586 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 6,977 ($504) | $1,129 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 761 ($55) | $119 | - 54% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 649 ($47) | $48 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,827 ($421) | $328 | + 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,468 ($106) | $120 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 85 ($6) | $11 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 94 ($7) | $23 | - 70% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 3% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | R 816 ($59) | $47 | + 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 625 ($45) | $45 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,314 ($95) | $85 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,271 ($92) | $115 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 28% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 302,031 ($21,838) | $22,354 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($1.12) | $0.78 | + 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 652 ($47) | $85 | - 44% | |
| Personal Care | - 47% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 73 ($5.30) | $7 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 199 ($14) | $18 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 448 ($32) | $111 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 48 ($3.47) | $7 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 33 ($2.40) | $3.48 | - 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 54 ($3.90) | $5.13 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 27 ($1.96) | $3.47 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 18 ($1.28) | $1.87 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 124 ($9) | $21 | - 56% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 329 ($24) | $45 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 171 ($12) | $25 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 764 ($55) | $174 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 519 ($38) | $79 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 62 ($4.45) | $12 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 ($2.13) | $4.90 | - 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 31 ($2.22) | $5.95 | - 63% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | R 7,921 ($573) | $422 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.01 ($0.15) | $0.36 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 553 ($40) | $53 | - 25% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 42 ($3.01) | $8 | - 62% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.07230
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 96,366 prices entered by 13,299 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in United States
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