Cost of living in South Africa compared to Uruguay
Currency:
| Food | - 49% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in Uruguay | ||||
| South Africa | Uruguay | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 127 ($U297) | $U784 | - 62% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 86 ($U201) | $U509 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 ($U132) | $U230 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 ($U46) | $U50 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 ($U119) | $U205 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 31 ($U72) | $U123 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 ($U211) | $U340 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 ($U65) | $U110 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 27 ($U62) | $U80 | - 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 ($U62) | $U92 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 ($U414) | $U373 | + 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 ($U66) | $U152 | - 57% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 ($U33) | $U85 | - 62% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in Uruguay | ||||
| South Africa | Uruguay | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 20,262 ($U47,288) | $U53,115 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,687 ($U29,607) | $U32,962 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,114 ($U4,933) | $U5,124 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 16,511 ($U38,533) | $U35,204 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,420 ($U26,651) | $U25,026 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,164 ($U5,049) | $U3,631 | + 39% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 649 ($U1,514) | $U1,176 | + 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,730 ($U13,372) | $U13,939 | - 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,598 ($U3,729) | $U5,679 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 175 ($U408) | $U324 | + 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 120 ($U280) | $U324 | - 14% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 34% cheaper than in Uruguay | ||||
| South Africa | Uruguay | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 757 ($U1,766) | $U3,403 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 658 ($U1,534) | $U1,951 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,642 ($U3,831) | $U5,205 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,308 ($U3,052) | $U5,426 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in Uruguay | ||||
| South Africa | Uruguay | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 596,621 ($U1,392,374) | $U1,080,690 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 22 ($U52) | $U79 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 622 ($U1,451) | $U2,391 | - 39% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 35% cheaper than in Uruguay | ||||
| South Africa | Uruguay | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 95 ($U222) | $U279 | - 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 264 ($U617) | $U787 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 586 ($U1,367) | $U3,301 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 63 ($U148) | $U246 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 44 ($U102) | $U152 | - 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 82 ($U191) | $U327 | - 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 45 ($U105) | $U120 | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 35 ($U83) | $U130 | - 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 179 ($U418) | $U616 | - 32% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in Uruguay | ||||
| South Africa | Uruguay | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 411 ($U960) | $U1,534 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 280 ($U653) | $U744 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,686 ($U3,935) | $U1,148 | + 243% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 741 ($U1,729) | $U2,194 | - 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 ($U222) | $U412 | - 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 53 ($U123) | $U234 | - 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 ($U97) | $U193 | - 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 6,924 ($U16,159) | $U49,038 | - 67% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.92 ($U9) | $U20 | - 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 543 ($U1,268) | $U2,214 | - 43% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 ($U125) | $U221 | - 43% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.334
UYU
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,941 prices entered by 155 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in Uruguay
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