Cost of living in South Africa compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (8 B/.) | 14 B/. | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 72 (4.14 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (2.55 B/.) | 3.91 B/. | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (1.01 B/.) | 1.63 B/. | - 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 (2.40 B/.) | 2.85 B/. | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 (1.37 B/.) | 2.07 B/. | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (3.92 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (1.52 B/.) | 2.55 B/. | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (1.20 B/.) | 1.96 B/. | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (1.29 B/.) | 1.51 B/. | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 100 (5.79 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 57% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (1.36 B/.) | 2.44 B/. | - 45% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (0.87 B/.) | 1.61 B/. | - 46% | |
| Housing | - 25% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 25% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,227 (938 B/.) | 1,273 B/. | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,823 (741 B/.) | 852 B/. | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,711 (99 B/.) | 127 B/. | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,414 (602 B/.) | 908 B/. | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,326 (423 B/.) | 556 B/. | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,371 (79 B/.) | 78 B/. | + 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 698 (40 B/.) | 46 B/. | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,520 (319 B/.) | 340 B/. | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,172 (126 B/.) | 106 B/. | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (5.04 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 (3.69 B/.) | 15 B/. | - 76% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 17% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 842 (49 B/.) | 48 B/. | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 587 (34 B/.) | 26 B/. | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,619 (94 B/.) | 79 B/. | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,351 (78 B/.) | 83 B/. | - 6% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 10% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 301,753 (17,435 B/.) | 22,433 B/. | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (1.32 B/.) | 1.29 B/. | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 649 (38 B/.) | 42 B/. | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | - 55% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 55% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 91 (5.26 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 218 (13 B/.) | 32 B/. | - 61% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 506 (29 B/.) | 62 B/. | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 45 (2.61 B/.) | 9 B/. | - 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (2.08 B/.) | 5.05 B/. | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (3.92 B/.) | 7 B/. | - 44% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 (1.69 B/.) | 3.79 B/. | - 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 (1.37 B/.) | 3.38 B/. | - 59% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 160 (9 B/.) | 19 B/. | - 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 41% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 413 (24 B/.) | 29 B/. | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 211 (12 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 462 (27 B/.) | 55 B/. | - 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 651 (38 B/.) | 47 B/. | - 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (3.96 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (1.84 B/.) | 5.69 B/. | - 68% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (1.90 B/.) | 2.75 B/. | - 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,291 (306 B/.) | 651 B/. | - 53% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.53 (0.09 B/.) | 0.22 B/. | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 557 (32 B/.) | 47 B/. | - 32% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (2.71 B/.) | 5.66 B/. | - 52% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05778
PAB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,296 prices entered by 262 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in Panama
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