Cost of living in South Africa compared to El Salvador
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 30% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 ($7) | $10 | - 27% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 79 ($4.34) | $7 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 ($2.39) | $2.16 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 ($0.98) | $2.01 | - 51% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 ($2.16) | $2.56 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 ($1.39) | $1.75 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 71 ($3.90) | $4.07 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 ($1.57) | $2.96 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 ($1.29) | $2.13 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 20 ($1.12) | $1.29 | - 14% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 110 ($6) | $17 | - 64% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 25 ($1.36) | $1.98 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 16 ($0.87) | $0.97 | - 10% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,238 ($839) | $1,143 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,886 ($600) | $673 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,738 ($96) | $105 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,715 ($590) | $567 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,104 ($391) | $387 | + 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,338 ($74) | $46 | + 60% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 668 ($37) | $27 | + 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,889 ($324) | $359 | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,917 ($106) | $85 | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 104 ($5.73) | $8 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 62 ($3.39) | - | - | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 15% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 849 ($47) | $54 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 599 ($33) | $42 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,621 ($89) | $97 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,478 ($81) | $74 | + 10% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 9% more expensive than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 307,302 ($16,926) | $16,710 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 ($1.28) | $1.28 | + 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 656 ($36) | $30 | + 19% | |
| Personal Care | - 24% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 83 ($4.56) | $6 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 232 ($13) | $15 | - 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 548 ($30) | $33 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 ($2.64) | $5.36 | - 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 37 ($2.01) | $3.87 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 ($4.05) | $5.85 | - 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 ($1.87) | $2.22 | - 16% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 ($1.41) | $1.10 | + 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 176 ($10) | $11 | - 9% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in El Salvador | ||||
| South Africa | El Salvador | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 463 ($26) | $17 | + 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 223 ($12) | $10 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 688 ($38) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 715 ($39) | $43 | - 8% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 67 ($3.68) | $7 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 ($1.83) | $4.63 | - 60% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 ($1.68) | $1.72 | - 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,044 ($443) | $611 | - 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.59 ($0.09) | $0.16 | - 46% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 469 ($26) | $37 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 48 ($2.67) | $8 | - 67% | |
| TOTAL | - 11% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,966 prices entered by 225 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05508
USD
/
ZAR
Cost of living in South Africa is 11% cheaper than in El Salvador
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