Cost of living in South Africa compared to Israel
Currency:
| Food | - 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 55% cheaper than in Israel | ||||
| South Africa | Israel | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 121 (24 ₪) | 73 ₪ | - 67% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (16 ₪) | 54 ₪ | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 55 (11 ₪) | 19 ₪ | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (3.70 ₪) | 7 ₪ | - 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 50 (10 ₪) | 13 ₪ | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 28 (5.46 ₪) | 8 ₪ | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 92 (18 ₪) | 25 ₪ | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 27 (5.29 ₪) | 12 ₪ | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (4.55 ₪) | 5.99 ₪ | - 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 26 (5.09 ₪) | 11 ₪ | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 178 (35 ₪) | 64 ₪ | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (5.45 ₪) | 12 ₪ | - 56% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (2.64 ₪) | 5.39 ₪ | - 51% | |
| Housing | - 43% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 43% cheaper than in Israel | ||||
| South Africa | Israel | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 18,561 (3,613 ₪) | 7,800 ₪ | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,976 (2,331 ₪) | 6,025 ₪ | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,227 (434 ₪) | 754 ₪ | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 15,662 (3,049 ₪) | 5,930 ₪ | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,697 (2,277 ₪) | 4,332 ₪ | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,937 (377 ₪) | 547 ₪ | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 641 (125 ₪) | 76 ₪ | + 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,522 (1,075 ₪) | 1,311 ₪ | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,489 (290 ₪) | 628 ₪ | - 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 158 (31 ₪) | 44 ₪ | - 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 118 (23 ₪) | 68 ₪ | - 66% | |
| Clothes | - 45% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in Israel | ||||
| South Africa | Israel | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 791 (154 ₪) | 340 ₪ | - 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 675 (131 ₪) | 216 ₪ | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,719 (335 ₪) | 552 ₪ | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,386 (270 ₪) | 480 ₪ | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 36% cheaper than in Israel | ||||
| South Africa | Israel | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 539,166 (104,949 ₪) | 159,641 ₪ | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (4.43 ₪) | 8 ₪ | - 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 744 (145 ₪) | 230 ₪ | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 37% cheaper than in Israel | ||||
| South Africa | Israel | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 100 (19 ₪) | 24 ₪ | - 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 242 (47 ₪) | 26 ₪ | + 79% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 584 (114 ₪) | 346 ₪ | - 67% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 54 (11 ₪) | 22 ₪ | - 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 43 (8 ₪) | 21 ₪ | - 60% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (14 ₪) | 14 ₪ | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 43 (8 ₪) | 4.95 ₪ | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 36 (7 ₪) | 12 ₪ | - 44% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 164 (32 ₪) | 78 ₪ | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 37% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 37% cheaper than in Israel | ||||
| South Africa | Israel | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 440 (86 ₪) | 171 ₪ | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 242 (47 ₪) | 88 ₪ | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (225 ₪) | 633 ₪ | - 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 720 (140 ₪) | 264 ₪ | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 98 (19 ₪) | 58 ₪ | - 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 46 (9 ₪) | 14 ₪ | - 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 36 (7 ₪) | 32 ₪ | - 78% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (2,316 ₪) | 3,178 ₪ | - 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 4.26 (0.83 ₪) | 0.33 ₪ | + 149% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 556 (108 ₪) | 188 ₪ | - 42% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (11 ₪) | 38 ₪ | - 71% | |
| TOTAL | - 42% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 02, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.19465
ILS
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,029 prices entered by 126 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 42% cheaper than in Israel
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