Cost of living in South Africa compared to Lebanon
Currency:
Food | - 68% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in South Africa is 68% cheaper than in Lebanon | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 110 (10,989 L£) | 44,813 L£ | - 75% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 64 (6,350 L£) | 21,383 L£ | - 70% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 (4,193 L£) | 17,754 L£ | - 76% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 (1,498 L£) | 6,599 L£ | - 77% | |
12 eggs, large | R 32 (3,176 L£) | 11,154 L£ | - 72% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (2,047 L£) | 4,366 L£ | - 53% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 (6,122 L£) | 17,307 L£ | - 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 (2,328 L£) | 4,805 L£ | - 52% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 16 (1,642 L£) | 2,766 L£ | - 41% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 19 (1,858 L£) | 4,471 L£ | - 58% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 101 (10,064 L£) | 26,084 L£ | - 61% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 (2,154 L£) | 4,852 L£ | - 56% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 (1,043 L£) | 1,914 L£ | - 46% | |
Housing | - 62% | |||
Housing in South Africa is 62% cheaper than in Lebanon | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,224 (1,418,104 L£) | 4,687,550 L£ | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 8,921 (889,402 L£) | 1,704,890 L£ | - 48% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,216 (121,259 L£) | 368,722 L£ | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,827 (1,079,357 L£) | 2,815,250 L£ | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,848 (682,742 L£) | 1,573,040 L£ | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 782 (77,919 L£) | 280,675 L£ | - 72% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 577 (57,513 L£) | 97,393 L£ | - 41% | |
40” flat screen tv | R 5,074 (505,856 L£) | 991,380 L£ | - 49% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,501 (149,680 L£) | 716,479 L£ | - 79% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 95 (9,508 L£) | 34,617 L£ | - 73% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 34 (3,369 L£) | 16,745 L£ | - 80% | |
Clothes | - 68% | |||
Clothes in South Africa is 68% cheaper than in Lebanon | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 819 (81,662 L£) | 250,787 L£ | - 67% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 608 (60,631 L£) | 189,069 L£ | - 68% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,303 (129,905 L£) | 202,242 L£ | - 36% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,211 (120,703 L£) | 623,515 L£ | - 81% | |
Transportation | - 66% | |||
Transportation in South Africa is 66% cheaper than in Lebanon | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 346,646 (34,559,179 L£) | 164,644,000 L£ | - 79% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (1,509 L£) | 1,390 L£ | + 9% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | R 675 (67,291 L£) | 188,505 L£ | - 64% | |
Personal Care | - 61% | |||
Personal Care in South Africa is 61% cheaper than in Lebanon | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 70 (7,013 L£) | 9,835 L£ | - 29% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 223 (22,192 L£) | 14,201 L£ | + 56% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 471 (46,933 L£) | 108,723 L£ | - 57% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 50 (5,021 L£) | 23,854 L£ | - 79% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (3,224 L£) | 17,331 L£ | - 81% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 51 (5,070 L£) | 14,432 L£ | - 65% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 (2,556 L£) | 6,675 L£ | - 62% | |
Tube of toothpaste | R 20 (1,981 L£) | 9,386 L£ | - 79% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 131 (13,052 L£) | 23,247 L£ | - 44% | |
Entertainment | - 69% | |||
Entertainment in South Africa is 69% cheaper than in Lebanon | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 344 (34,342 L£) | 103,584 L£ | - 67% | |
2 tickets to the movies | R 172 (17,167 L£) | 44,783 L£ | - 62% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 684 (68,172 L£) | 369,223 L£ | - 82% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 560 (55,855 L£) | 174,541 L£ | - 68% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 72 (7,164 L£) | 24,089 L£ | - 70% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (3,270 L£) | 11,226 L£ | - 71% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (3,360 L£) | 14,974 L£ | - 78% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,352 (1,131,778 L£) | 2,092,370 L£ | - 46% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.82 (181 L£) | 1,111 L£ | - 84% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | R 529 (52,748 L£) | 189,620 L£ | - 72% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 (4,452 L£) | 9,867 L£ | - 55% | |
TOTAL | - 66% |

These prices were last updated on February 26, 2021.
Exchange rate:
99.696
LBP
/
ZAR
*
Cost of living in South Africa is 66% cheaper than in Lebanon
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