- Cost of Living
- South Africa
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 107 ($8) | $14 | - 39% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 57 ($4.45) | $7 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 ($3.21) | $4.60 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 14 ($1.14) | $0.91 | + 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 32 ($2.50) | $3.26 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 18 ($1.43) | $4.08 | - 65% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 63 ($4.94) | $6 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 21 ($1.66) | $3.39 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.61) | $1.69 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 17 ($1.31) | $2.87 | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 92 ($7) | $15 | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 16 ($1.29) | $1.94 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.92) | $2.16 | - 57% | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | R 15,290 ($1,202) | $2,032 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 10,067 ($791) | $1,569 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,377 ($108) | $174 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 10,937 ($860) | $1,571 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 6,620 ($520) | $1,108 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 953 ($75) | $118 | - 37% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 659 ($52) | $48 | + 8% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,978 ($470) | $348 | + 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,702 ($134) | $120 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 85 ($7) | $11 | - 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 61 ($4.80) | $23 | - 79% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 14% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | R 796 ($63) | $47 | + 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 660 ($52) | $45 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,310 ($103) | $85 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,325 ($104) | $118 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 281,860 ($22,159) | $22,073 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 14 ($1.08) | $0.71 | + 52% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 608 ($48) | $87 | - 45% | |
| 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 61 ($4.80) | $7 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 217 ($17) | $18 | - 7% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 420 ($33) | $110 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 49 ($3.84) | $7 | - 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 30 ($2.38) | $3.58 | - 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 52 ($4.08) | $5.08 | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 27 ($2.12) | $3.39 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 17 ($1.34) | $1.82 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 144 ($11) | $20 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 342 ($27) | $44 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 159 ($12) | $25 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 846 ($67) | $168 | - 60% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 575 ($45) | $78 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 62 ($4.86) | $11 | - 57% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 27 ($2.13) | $4.77 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 28 ($2.22) | $5.71 | - 61% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | R 9,360 ($736) | $429 | + 71% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.63 ($0.21) | $0.58 | - 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 574 ($45) | $53 | - 14% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 40 ($3.15) | $8 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 36% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.07862
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 99,584 prices entered by 15,265 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 36% cheaper than in United States
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