Cost of living in South Africa compared to New Zealand
Currency:
| Food | - 52% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| South Africa | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 126 (NZ$12) | NZ$25 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (NZ$8) | NZ$16 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (NZ$5.23) | NZ$9 | - 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (NZ$1.83) | NZ$2.49 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (NZ$4.76) | NZ$12 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (NZ$2.76) | NZ$9 | - 68% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (NZ$8) | NZ$8 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 (NZ$2.90) | NZ$5.00 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (NZ$2.43) | NZ$4.05 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (NZ$2.53) | NZ$7 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 144 (NZ$14) | NZ$19 | - 27% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (NZ$2.53) | NZ$4.72 | - 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (NZ$1.34) | NZ$2.94 | - 54% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| South Africa | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,971 (NZ$1,410) | NZ$3,887 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,971 (NZ$1,033) | NZ$3,199 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,134 (NZ$201) | NZ$217 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 14,448 (NZ$1,360) | NZ$2,526 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 10,086 (NZ$950) | NZ$2,121 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,095 (NZ$197) | NZ$155 | + 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 602 (NZ$57) | NZ$86 | - 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,447 (NZ$607) | NZ$679 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,670 (NZ$157) | NZ$194 | - 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 135 (NZ$13) | NZ$20 | - 38% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 131 (NZ$12) | NZ$35 | - 65% | |
| Clothes | - 33% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| South Africa | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 845 (NZ$80) | NZ$133 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 620 (NZ$58) | NZ$91 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,817 (NZ$171) | NZ$198 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,593 (NZ$150) | NZ$212 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| South Africa | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 396,258 (NZ$37,311) | NZ$45,858 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (NZ$2.19) | NZ$2.77 | - 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 791 (NZ$74) | NZ$186 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| South Africa | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 48 (NZ$4.56) | NZ$15 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 (NZ$16) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 543 (NZ$51) | NZ$59 | - 14% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 (NZ$5.41) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (NZ$3.64) | NZ$6 | - 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (NZ$6) | NZ$10 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 33 (NZ$3.12) | NZ$3.17 | - 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 31 (NZ$2.92) | NZ$3.81 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 113 (NZ$11) | NZ$36 | - 70% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in New Zealand | ||||
| South Africa | New Zealand | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (NZ$41) | NZ$73 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 (NZ$21) | NZ$42 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (NZ$109) | NZ$255 | - 57% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 654 (NZ$62) | NZ$131 | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (NZ$9) | NZ$20 | - 55% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 (NZ$3.61) | NZ$5.92 | - 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (NZ$3.89) | NZ$12 | - 69% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (NZ$1,120) | NZ$1,174 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 (NZ$0.29) | NZ$0.51 | - 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 541 (NZ$51) | NZ$66 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (NZ$5.21) | NZ$40 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.09416
NZD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,406 prices entered by 156 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in New Zealand
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