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 101 ($7) | $14 | - 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 58 ($4.02) | $8 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 ($2.91) | $4.26 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($1.01) | $0.87 | + 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 34 ($2.36) | $3.02 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.42) | $3.97 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 60 ($4.15) | $6 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 ($1.61) | $3.38 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.38) | $1.70 | - 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 17 ($1.16) | $3.20 | - 64% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 87 ($6.00) | $14 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 21 ($1.42) | $1.92 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.82) | $2.10 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,016 ($1,035) | $2,192 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,360 ($645) | $1,578 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,244 ($86) | $179 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,719 ($739) | $1,580 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,578 ($453) | $1,119 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 811 ($56) | $118 | - 52% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 625 ($43) | $48 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,959 ($342) | $304 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,410 ($97) | $119 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 80 ($5.48) | $11 | - 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 44 ($3.02) | $22 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 0% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 748 ($52) | $48 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 646 ($45) | $44 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,284 ($88) | $86 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,155 ($80) | $111 | - 28% | |
| 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 311,546 ($21,465) | $22,796 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 16 ($1.10) | $0.76 | + 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 623 ($43) | $79 | - 46% | |
| 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 63 ($4.34) | $7 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 228 ($16) | $19 | - 19% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 461 ($32) | $110 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 43 ($2.98) | $6 | - 54% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 30 ($2.07) | $3.46 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 55 ($3.78) | $4.88 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 ($1.70) | $3.44 | - 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 ($1.33) | $1.81 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 121 ($8) | $21 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 347 ($24) | $45 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 169 ($12) | $25 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 741 ($51) | $208 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 528 ($36) | $75 | - 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 62 ($4.28) | $12 | - 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 ($2.09) | $4.85 | - 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 31 ($2.14) | $5.74 | - 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 7,469 ($515) | $407 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.83 ($0.13) | $0.16 | - 20% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 538 ($37) | $53 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 42 ($2.91) | $8 | - 64% | |
| TOTAL | - 43% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 22, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.06890
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 57,756 prices entered by 7,190 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in United States
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