Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 52% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 118 ($8) | $16 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 61 ($3.98) | $9 | - 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 38 ($2.46) | $4.56 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($1.00) | $0.91 | + 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 37 ($2.37) | $2.92 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.35) | $4.30 | - 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 60 ($3.89) | $6 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 ($1.56) | $3.75 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.27) | $1.94 | - 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 ($1.37) | $3.10 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 85 ($5.52) | $15 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 ($1.49) | $2.06 | - 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 13 ($0.87) | $2.35 | - 63% | |
| Housing | - 55% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,484 ($1,001) | $2,368 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,994 ($711) | $1,811 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,331 ($86) | $191 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,100 ($589) | $1,676 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,480 ($419) | $1,279 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 824 ($53) | $127 | - 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 760 ($49) | $54 | - 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,833 ($313) | $284 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,618 ($105) | $129 | - 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 100 ($6) | $11 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 35 ($2.25) | $24 | - 91% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 766 ($50) | $49 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 544 ($35) | $43 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,316 ($85) | $90 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,293 ($84) | $112 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 318,155 ($20,576) | $23,777 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 17 ($1.08) | $0.83 | + 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 787 ($51) | $76 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 51% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 59 ($3.83) | $7 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 254 ($16) | $18 | - 8% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 420 ($27) | $109 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 41 ($2.66) | $7 | - 60% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 29 ($1.86) | $3.90 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 50 ($3.23) | $5.25 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 ($1.97) | $3.97 | - 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 18 ($1.14) | $1.90 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 163 ($11) | $24 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 307 ($20) | $49 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 192 ($12) | $26 | - 52% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 715 ($46) | $167 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 528 ($34) | $80 | - 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 77 ($4.95) | $13 | - 61% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 29 ($1.89) | $4.91 | - 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 ($2.20) | $5.93 | - 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,401 ($673) | $442 | + 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.61 ($0.10) | $0.18 | - 41% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 550 ($36) | $50 | - 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 ($3.04) | $9 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.06467
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,741 prices entered by 3,081 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United States
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