Cost of living in South Africa compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (¥1,056) | ¥998 | + 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 81 (¥638) | ¥723 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (¥347) | ¥544 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (¥153) | ¥204 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 (¥325) | ¥323 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 26 (¥204) | ¥616 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 74 (¥586) | ¥934 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 29 (¥225) | ¥850 | - 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 25 (¥196) | ¥535 | - 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 25 (¥197) | ¥288 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 107 (¥843) | ¥1,240 | - 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (¥186) | ¥240 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (¥137) | ¥202 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,056 (¥126,744) | ¥279,056 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,480 (¥90,618) | ¥163,427 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,007 (¥15,840) | ¥23,363 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,876 (¥70,063) | ¥150,519 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,725 (¥53,084) | ¥81,210 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,289 (¥10,172) | ¥36,753 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 592 (¥4,673) | ¥4,386 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,531 (¥43,662) | ¥49,710 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,982 (¥15,643) | ¥17,687 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 131 (¥1,031) | ¥1,118 | - 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 71 (¥561) | ¥1,483 | - 62% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 840 (¥6,632) | ¥6,145 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 621 (¥4,902) | ¥5,263 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,656 (¥13,071) | ¥9,604 | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,371 (¥10,824) | ¥13,529 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 7% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 406,338 (¥3,207,547) | ¥2,697,750 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (¥185) | ¥170 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 1,062 (¥8,382) | ¥9,950 | - 16% | |
| Personal Care | - 45% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 64 (¥509) | ¥2,154 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 245 (¥1,936) | ¥2,551 | - 24% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 592 (¥4,675) | ¥5,499 | - 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 44 (¥345) | ¥1,340 | - 74% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (¥281) | ¥842 | - 67% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 64 (¥502) | ¥750 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 37 (¥288) | ¥225 | + 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 27 (¥211) | ¥233 | - 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 168 (¥1,327) | ¥3,812 | - 65% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Africa | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 438 (¥3,454) | ¥4,064 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 235 (¥1,859) | ¥3,590 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 745 (¥5,885) | ¥4,524 | + 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 719 (¥5,676) | ¥6,047 | - 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 70 (¥551) | ¥896 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 36 (¥281) | ¥487 | - 42% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (¥260) | ¥585 | - 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,711 (¥84,548) | ¥98,506 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.57 (¥12) | ¥52 | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 639 (¥5,042) | ¥9,275 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 49 (¥387) | ¥587 | - 34% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
7.894
JPY
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,348 prices entered by 292 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in Japan
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