- Cost of Living
- South Africa
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 107 ($8) | $14 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 56 ($4.19) | $8 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 ($3.03) | $4.61 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($1.09) | $0.90 | + 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 ($2.44) | $3.22 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 18 ($1.36) | $4.02 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 63 ($4.69) | $6 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 21 ($1.60) | $3.41 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.48) | $1.65 | - 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 17 ($1.27) | $3.02 | - 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 90 ($7) | $15 | - 54% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 17 ($1.25) | $1.93 | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.87) | $2.16 | - 60% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | R 15,750 ($1,180) | $2,025 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | R 10,138 ($760) | $1,562 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,418 ($106) | $176 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | R 11,327 ($849) | $1,568 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | R 6,795 ($509) | $1,107 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | R 979 ($73) | $120 | - 39% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | R 656 ($49) | $48 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,855 ($439) | $338 | + 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,693 ($127) | $121 | + 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 88 ($7) | $11 | - 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 ($4.82) | $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 810 ($61) | $47 | + 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | R 679 ($51) | $44 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,328 ($100) | $85 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,342 ($101) | $116 | - 13% | |
| 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 283,567 ($21,247) | $22,070 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 14 ($1.06) | $0.73 | + 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 655 ($49) | $86 | - 43% | |
| 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 66 ($4.97) | $7 | - 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 230 ($17) | $18 | - 4% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | R 421 ($32) | $111 | - 72% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 48 ($3.62) | $7 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 ($2.34) | $3.56 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 53 ($4.00) | $5.07 | - 21% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 28 ($2.06) | $3.41 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 17 ($1.29) | $1.85 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 145 ($11) | $21 | - 47% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 340 ($25) | $44 | - 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 164 ($12) | $25 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 894 ($67) | $169 | - 60% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 581 ($44) | $79 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 64 ($4.78) | $12 | - 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 28 ($2.06) | $4.81 | - 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 ($2.23) | $5.74 | - 61% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | R 8,636 ($647) | $429 | + 51% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.83 ($0.14) | $0.27 | - 50% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 562 ($42) | $53 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | R 41 ($3.04) | $8 | - 62% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 20, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.07493
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 101,121 prices entered by 15,212 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 37% cheaper than in United States
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