Cost of living in Soweto (South Africa) is 22% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 392 prices entered by 38 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Soweto (South Africa) is 25% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Soweto | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 60 | R 177 | - 66% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 47 | R 91 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 30 | R 53 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 | R 24 | - 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 53 | R 52 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 22 | R 29 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 74 | R 121 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 | R 30 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 22 | R 24 | - 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 32 | R 23 | + 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 227 | R 124 | + 84% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 21 | R 26 | - 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 13 | R 14 | - 5% | |
| Housing | + 20% | |||
| Housing in Soweto (South Africa) is 20% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Soweto | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 11,776 | R 14,758 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 5,930 | R 12,628 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,510 | R 2,181 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 19,000 | R 9,335 | + 104% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 9,767 | R 8,959 | + 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 9,000 | R 1,928 | + 367% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 476 | R 662 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,388 | R 5,457 | - 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,214 | R 1,736 | + 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 54 | R 128 | - 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | R 92 | - | |
| Clothes | - 56% | |||
| Clothes in Soweto (South Africa) is 56% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Soweto | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 833 | R 887 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 120 | R 768 | - 84% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 800 | R 1,646 | - 51% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,200 | R 1,348 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 42% | |||
| Transportation in Soweto (South Africa) is 42% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Soweto | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 169,096 | R 440,461 | - 62% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 18 | R 25 | - 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 562 | R 988 | - 43% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | R 185 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in Soweto (South Africa) is 31% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Soweto | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 45 | R 89 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 180 | R 248 | - 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 383 | R 522 | - 27% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 35 | R 52 | - 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 35 | R 39 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 45 | R 72 | - 38% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 22 | R 34 | - 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 9 | R 26 | - 66% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 68 | R 137 | - 50% | |
| Entertainment | - 20% | |||
| Entertainment in Soweto (South Africa) is 20% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Soweto | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 267 | R 498 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 100 | R 249 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | R 963 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 400 | R 690 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 30 | R 102 | - 70% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | R 35 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 25 | R 39 | - 36% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | R 9,905 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.75 | R 1.72 | + 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 300 | R 649 | - 54% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 39 | R 54 | - 29% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 22% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 392 prices entered by 38 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 15, 2024.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 43,000 in Johannesburg you would need to make just about R 33,747 in Soweto.
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