Cost of living in South Africa compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | - 39% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 39% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (Mex$ 135) | Mex$ 281 | - 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 79 (Mex$ 80) | Mex$ 148 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 (Mex$ 44) | Mex$ 68 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (Mex$ 18) | Mex$ 25 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 43 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 26 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 71 (Mex$ 72) | Mex$ 81 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (Mex$ 29) | Mex$ 48 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 31 | - 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 20 (Mex$ 21) | Mex$ 27 | - 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 110 (Mex$ 111) | Mex$ 247 | - 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 25 (Mex$ 25) | Mex$ 34 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 16 (Mex$ 16) | Mex$ 24 | - 34% | |
| Housing | - 0% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is about the same as in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,238 (Mex$ 15,429) | Mex$ 19,734 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,886 (Mex$ 11,023) | Mex$ 10,575 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,738 (Mex$ 1,760) | Mex$ 1,014 | + 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,715 (Mex$ 10,849) | Mex$ 12,858 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,104 (Mex$ 7,193) | Mex$ 6,876 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,338 (Mex$ 1,355) | Mex$ 716 | + 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 668 (Mex$ 677) | Mex$ 400 | + 69% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,889 (Mex$ 5,963) | Mex$ 6,879 | - 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,917 (Mex$ 1,941) | Mex$ 2,502 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 104 (Mex$ 105) | Mex$ 110 | - 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 62 (Mex$ 62) | Mex$ 128 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 7% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 849 (Mex$ 859) | Mex$ 957 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 599 (Mex$ 606) | Mex$ 689 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,621 (Mex$ 1,642) | Mex$ 1,686 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,478 (Mex$ 1,497) | Mex$ 1,237 | + 21% | |
| Transportation | + 7% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 7% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 307,302 (Mex$ 311,155) | Mex$ 379,254 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 23 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 656 (Mex$ 665) | Mex$ 532 | + 25% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 83 (Mex$ 84) | Mex$ 86 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 232 (Mex$ 235) | Mex$ 190 | + 24% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 548 (Mex$ 555) | Mex$ 622 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 (Mex$ 49) | Mex$ 75 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 37 (Mex$ 37) | Mex$ 55 | - 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (Mex$ 74) | Mex$ 64 | + 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 34 | + 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 32 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 176 (Mex$ 179) | Mex$ 223 | - 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 20% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 20% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| South Africa | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 463 (Mex$ 469) | Mex$ 374 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 223 (Mex$ 226) | Mex$ 156 | + 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 688 (Mex$ 697) | Mex$ 830 | - 16% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 715 (Mex$ 724) | Mex$ 759 | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 67 (Mex$ 68) | Mex$ 157 | - 57% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 79 | - 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 (Mex$ 31) | Mex$ 45 | - 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,758 (Mex$ 8,867) | Mex$ 11,196 | - 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.59 (Mex$ 1.61) | Mex$ 1.83 | - 12% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 469 (Mex$ 475) | Mex$ 908 | - 48% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 48 (Mex$ 49) | Mex$ 70 | - 30% | |
| TOTAL | - 12% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.013
MXN
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 11,369 prices entered by 1,139 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 12% cheaper than in Mexico
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