Cost of living in South Africa compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 135 (52元) | 56元 | - 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 73 (28元) | 41元 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 (17元) | 14元 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (7元) | 17元 | - 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 42 (16元) | 20元 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 (9元) | 10元 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 69 (27元) | 57元 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (10元) | 16元 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (8元) | 7元 | + 22% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (9元) | 6.00元 | + 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 100 (39元) | 129元 | - 70% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (9元) | 11元 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (5.90元) | 13元 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 31% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,490 (6,394元) | 13,117元 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,853 (4,984元) | 7,964元 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,701 (659元) | 401元 | + 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,547 (4,090元) | 8,919元 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,328 (2,842元) | 4,611元 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,336 (518元) | 242元 | + 115% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 697 (270元) | 117元 | + 130% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,421 (2,102元) | 1,521元 | + 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,169 (841元) | 661元 | + 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (34元) | 56元 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 68 (26元) | 54元 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 15% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 857 (332元) | 491元 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 599 (232元) | 261元 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,644 (638元) | 609元 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,383 (536元) | 662元 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 9% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 306,513 (118,857元) | 150,872元 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (9元) | 9元 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 679 (263元) | 197元 | + 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 7% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 92 (35元) | 29元 | + 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 237 (92元) | 23元 | + 306% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 505 (196元) | 371元 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 (19元) | 37元 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (14元) | 23元 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (26元) | 33元 | - 21% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 (11元) | 14元 | - 16% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 (9元) | 13元 | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 170 (66元) | 63元 | + 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Africa | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 427 (166元) | 267元 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 209 (81元) | 114元 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 478 (185元) | 1,234元 | - 85% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 670 (260元) | 473元 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (27元) | 81元 | - 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (12元) | 35元 | - 65% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (13元) | 31元 | - 58% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,903 (2,289元) | 3,289元 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.57 (0.61元) | 0.24元 | + 151% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 547 (212元) | 449元 | - 53% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (18元) | 29元 | - 37% | |
| TOTAL | - 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.38777
CNY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,649 prices entered by 288 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in China
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