Cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 108% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria)
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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 122 prices entered by 23 different people.
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Lagos has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates.
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Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | + 66% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 66% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lagos | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 177 (15,290 ₦) | 6,569 ₦ | + 133% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 91 (7,810 ₦) | 4,705 ₦ | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 52 (4,451 ₦) | 2,379 ₦ | + 87% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 24 (2,043 ₦) | 1,462 ₦ | + 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 52 (4,504 ₦) | 4,156 ₦ | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (2,513 ₦) | 1,591 ₦ | + 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 121 (10,479 ₦) | 7,301 ₦ | + 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (2,388 ₦) | 2,157 ₦ | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 22 (1,860 ₦) | 1,165 ₦ | + 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 (1,948 ₦) | 584 ₦ | + 233% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 124 (10,658 ₦) | 7,943 ₦ | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 26 (2,262 ₦) | 657 ₦ | + 244% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (1,220 ₦) | 1,364 ₦ | - 11% | |
| Housing | + 28% | |||
| Housing in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 28% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lagos | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,758 (1,273,275 ₦) | 505,878 ₦ | + 152% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,628 (1,089,542 ₦) | 1,718,990 ₦ | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,181 (188,190 ₦) | 80,683 ₦ | + 133% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 12,688 (1,094,684 ₦) | 1,638,090 ₦ | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,457 (643,400 ₦) | 1,058,450 ₦ | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,928 (166,340 ₦) | 51,008 ₦ | + 226% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 662 (57,108 ₦) | 18,210 ₦ | + 214% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,457 (470,865 ₦) | 212,210 ₦ | + 122% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,736 (149,814 ₦) | 50,156 ₦ | + 199% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 128 (11,055 ₦) | 3,571 ₦ | + 210% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 113 (9,788 ₦) | 2,222 ₦ | + 340% | |
| Clothes | + 249% | |||
| Clothes in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 249% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lagos | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 820 (70,733 ₦) | 18,734 ₦ | + 278% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 768 (66,253 ₦) | 15,560 ₦ | + 326% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,646 (141,993 ₦) | 56,595 ₦ | + 151% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,348 (116,291 ₦) | 48,150 ₦ | + 142% | |
| Transportation | + 232% | |||
| Transportation in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 232% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lagos | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 440,461 (38,002,918 ₦) | 7,987,030 ₦ | + 376% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 25 (2,120 ₦) | 876 ₦ | + 142% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 988 (85,248 ₦) | 19,087 ₦ | + 347% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 204 (17,596 ₦) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | + 236% | |||
| Personal Care in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 236% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lagos | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 89 (7,679 ₦) | 1,886 ₦ | + 307% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 248 (21,378 ₦) | 3,362 ₦ | + 536% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 522 (45,000 ₦) | 16,058 ₦ | + 180% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 52 (4,516 ₦) | 1,469 ₦ | + 207% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (3,368 ₦) | 1,473 ₦ | + 129% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 72 (6,244 ₦) | 1,722 ₦ | + 263% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 (2,975 ₦) | 1,007 ₦ | + 195% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 (2,263 ₦) | 1,472 ₦ | + 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 137 (11,827 ₦) | 2,571 ₦ | + 360% | |
| Entertainment | + 155% | |||
| Entertainment in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 155% more expensive than in Lagos (Nigeria) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lagos | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 498 (43,010 ₦) | 11,320 ₦ | + 280% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 249 (21,489 ₦) | 9,493 ₦ | + 126% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 963 (83,075 ₦) | 22,553 ₦ | + 268% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 690 (59,560 ₦) | 28,090 ₦ | + 112% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 102 (8,762 ₦) | 2,642 ₦ | + 232% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 35 (3,042 ₦) | 2,426 ₦ | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (3,066 ₦) | 1,559 ₦ | + 97% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,905 (854,638 ₦) | 174,586 ₦ | + 390% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.72 (149 ₦) | 120 ₦ | + 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 649 (56,007 ₦) | 15,375 ₦ | + 264% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (4,689 ₦) | 723 ₦ | + 548% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 108% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 122 prices entered by 23 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
86.280
NGN
/
ZAR
*
Detailed prices for each city individually
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For example, you would need at least 3,186,636 ₦ (R 36,934) in Johannesburg to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 1,530,000 ₦ in Lagos.
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