Cost of living in South Africa compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 29% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 135 (₨634) | ₨367 | + 73% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 73 (₨342) | ₨334 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (₨206) | ₨177 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (₨83) | ₨56 | + 50% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 42 (₨198) | ₨90 | + 119% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 (₨112) | ₨44 | + 153% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (₨320) | ₨236 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (₨124) | ₨162 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (₨98) | ₨32 | + 211% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (₨105) | ₨157 | - 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 97 (₨456) | ₨791 | - 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (₨111) | ₨88 | + 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (₨72) | ₨39 | + 83% | |
| Housing | + 88% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 88% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,490 (₨77,669) | ₨46,491 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,853 (₨60,541) | ₨26,733 | + 126% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,701 (₨8,010) | ₨5,558 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,547 (₨49,679) | ₨24,768 | + 101% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,328 (₨34,517) | ₨14,360 | + 140% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,336 (₨6,295) | ₨5,180 | + 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 697 (₨3,281) | ₨656 | + 400% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,421 (₨25,533) | ₨30,934 | - 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,169 (₨10,216) | ₨12,189 | - 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (₨410) | ₨518 | - 21% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 68 (₨319) | ₨559 | - 43% | |
| Clothes | + 35% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 35% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 857 (₨4,036) | ₨2,556 | + 58% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 599 (₨2,819) | ₨2,516 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,644 (₨7,744) | ₨4,169 | + 86% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,383 (₨6,515) | ₨3,067 | + 112% | |
| Transportation | + 65% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 65% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 306,513 (₨1,443,748) | ₨1,054,000 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (₨109) | ₨108 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 679 (₨3,198) | ₨1,184 | + 170% | |
| Personal Care | + 51% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 51% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 92 (₨431) | ₨126 | + 242% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 237 (₨1,118) | ₨255 | + 339% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 511 (₨2,407) | ₨1,266 | + 90% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 (₨228) | ₨396 | - 42% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (₨168) | ₨203 | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (₨320) | ₨266 | + 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 (₨138) | ₨177 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 (₨114) | ₨90 | + 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 175 (₨823) | ₨334 | + 146% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 15% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Africa | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 427 (₨2,011) | ₨1,556 | + 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 215 (₨1,014) | ₨648 | + 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 478 (₨2,251) | ₨1,506 | + 49% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 670 (₨3,154) | ₨1,809 | + 74% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (₨323) | ₨641 | - 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (₨152) | ₨205 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (₨157) | ₨182 | - 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,903 (₨27,805) | ₨48,747 | - 43% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.57 (₨7) | ₨1.06 | + 595% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 547 (₨2,576) | ₨1,787 | + 44% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (₨224) | ₨241 | - 7% | |
| TOTAL | + 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.710
INR
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,408 prices entered by 1,307 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 54% more expensive than in India
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