Cost of living in Johannesburg, South Africa vs West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Currency:
Food | - 36% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 36% cheaper than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 114 ($8) | $12 | - 34% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 61 ($4.25) | $7 | - 38% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 ($2.82) | $4.58 | - 38% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 17 ($1.21) | $0.90 | + 34% | |
12 eggs, large | R 32 ($2.24) | $2.78 | - 20% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 22 ($1.52) | - | - | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 57 ($3.98) | $7 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 25 ($1.74) | $3.67 | - 53% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.38) | $1.37 | + 1% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 19 ($1.32) | $2.81 | - 53% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 ($7) | $10 | - 31% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | R 20 ($1.41) | $1.86 | - 24% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 11 ($0.75) | $1.92 | - 61% | |
Housing | - 48% | |||
Housing in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 48% cheaper than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,284 ($998) | $1,498 | - 33% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,815 ($686) | $951 | - 28% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,085 ($76) | $623 | - 88% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,606 ($671) | $1,004 | - 33% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,011 ($490) | $914 | - 46% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 631 ($44) | $289 | - 85% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 576 ($40) | $50 | - 20% | |
40” flat screen tv | R 5,009 ($350) | $191 | + 83% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,425 ($100) | $100 | - 0% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 96 ($7) | $8 | - 17% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 33 ($2.31) | $6.00 | - 61% | |
Clothes | - 22% | |||
Clothes in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 22% cheaper than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 795 ($56) | $42 | + 33% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 645 ($45) | $75 | - 40% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,338 ($93) | $50 | + 87% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,264 ($88) | $80 | + 10% | |
Transportation | + 62% | |||
Transportation in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 62% more expensive than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 342,893 ($23,957) | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($1.07) | $0.68 | + 57% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | R 1,007 ($70) | $31 | + 125% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 199 ($14) | - | - | |
Personal Care | - 78% | |||
Personal Care in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 78% cheaper than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 53 ($3.68) | $7 | - 48% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 211 ($15) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 465 ($33) | $188 | - 83% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 42 ($2.96) | $10 | - 71% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 30 ($2.11) | $6 | - 67% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 45 ($3.16) | $11 | - 70% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 ($1.81) | $20 | - 91% | |
Tube of toothpaste | R 16 ($1.13) | $2.05 | - 45% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 151 ($11) | $21 | - 49% | |
Entertainment | - 31% | |||
Entertainment in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 31% cheaper than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 330 ($23) | $32 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the movies | R 184 ($13) | $23 | - 44% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 997 ($70) | $330 | - 79% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 504 ($35) | $74 | - 53% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 78 ($5.43) | $7 | - 22% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 ($2.34) | $9 | - 74% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 37 ($2.60) | $5.28 | - 51% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,919 ($623) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.86 ($0.13) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | R 545 ($38) | $15 | + 153% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 ($3.12) | $8 | - 59% | |
TOTAL | - 30% |

These prices were last updated on April 17, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06987
USD
/
ZAR
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Cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 30% cheaper than in West Lafayette, Indiana (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,200 in West Lafayette, Indiana you would need to make just about $2,933 (R 41,976) in Johannesburg.
Prices recently added
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