Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 111 ($7) | $15 | - 51% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 62 ($4.09) | $8 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 ($2.79) | $4.23 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($0.98) | $0.89 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 32 ($2.11) | $2.94 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.36) | $4.08 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 ($4.01) | $6 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 ($1.55) | $3.28 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 17 ($1.13) | $1.67 | - 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 ($1.20) | $3.19 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 101 ($7) | $14 | - 52% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 ($1.43) | $1.97 | - 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 ($0.67) | $2.01 | - 67% | |
| Housing | - 53% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,633 ($966) | $2,197 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,050 ($597) | $1,541 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,186 ($78) | $178 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,839 ($715) | $1,527 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,886 ($454) | $1,112 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 803 ($53) | $109 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 584 ($39) | $49 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,053 ($333) | $272 | + 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,493 ($99) | $127 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 91 ($6) | $11 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 34 ($2.25) | $21 | - 89% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 805 ($53) | $47 | + 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 610 ($40) | $43 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,337 ($88) | $86 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,178 ($78) | $108 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 25% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 345,568 ($22,803) | $23,469 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($1.00) | $0.64 | + 55% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 656 ($43) | $75 | - 42% | |
| 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 68 ($4.48) | $7 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 226 ($15) | $15 | - 0% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 500 ($33) | $112 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 ($3.37) | $7 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 ($2.02) | $3.35 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 50 ($3.30) | $4.93 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 ($1.74) | $3.62 | - 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 ($1.28) | $1.81 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 128 ($8) | $21 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 348 ($23) | $45 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 176 ($12) | $25 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 706 ($47) | $211 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 565 ($37) | $78 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 68 ($4.47) | $12 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 ($2.15) | $4.97 | - 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 ($2.24) | $5.74 | - 61% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,867 ($717) | $410 | + 75% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.78 ($0.12) | $0.49 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 514 ($34) | $49 | - 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 44 ($2.90) | $8 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 25, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06599
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 35,820 prices entered by 4,630 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United States
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