Cost of living in South Africa compared to Panama
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 28% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 116 (8 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 60 (4.08 B/.) | 6 B/. | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 38 (2.54 B/.) | 3.47 B/. | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (1.05 B/.) | 1.45 B/. | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 36 (2.46 B/.) | 2.41 B/. | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (1.41 B/.) | 2.17 B/. | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 (4.13 B/.) | 5.05 B/. | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (1.65 B/.) | 2.10 B/. | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 (1.32 B/.) | 2.23 B/. | - 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 (1.41 B/.) | 1.09 B/. | + 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 86 (5.77 B/.) | 11 B/. | - 47% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (1.58 B/.) | 2.28 B/. | - 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 13 (0.86 B/.) | 1.12 B/. | - 23% | |
| Housing | - 15% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 15% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,734 (1,061 B/.) | 1,372 B/. | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,007 (742 B/.) | 829 B/. | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,315 (89 B/.) | 94 B/. | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,312 (628 B/.) | 948 B/. | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,559 (442 B/.) | 503 B/. | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 827 (56 B/.) | 69 B/. | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 760 (51 B/.) | 40 B/. | + 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,921 (332 B/.) | 316 B/. | + 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,627 (110 B/.) | 121 B/. | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 90 (6 B/.) | 10 B/. | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 36 (2.42 B/.) | 10 B/. | - 75% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 4% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 761 (51 B/.) | 40 B/. | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 530 (36 B/.) | 37 B/. | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,277 (86 B/.) | 81 B/. | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,304 (88 B/.) | 86 B/. | + 2% | |
| Transportation | + 20% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 20% more expensive than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 316,555 (21,343 B/.) | 21,465 B/. | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 16 (1.09 B/.) | 0.77 B/. | + 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 803 (54 B/.) | 42 B/. | + 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 74 (5.01 B/.) | 5.62 B/. | - 11% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 190 (13 B/.) | 13 B/. | - 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 427 (29 B/.) | 39 B/. | - 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 43 (2.92 B/.) | 5.59 B/. | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 27 (1.79 B/.) | 3.03 B/. | - 41% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 50 (3.39 B/.) | 5.78 B/. | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 (2.03 B/.) | 3.23 B/. | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 21 (1.43 B/.) | 2.23 B/. | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 170 (11 B/.) | 17 B/. | - 31% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Panama | ||||
| South Africa | Panama | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 348 (23 B/.) | 27 B/. | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 189 (13 B/.) | 12 B/. | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 783 (53 B/.) | 53 B/. | + 0% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 531 (36 B/.) | 48 B/. | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 75 (5.08 B/.) | 8 B/. | - 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 29 (1.96 B/.) | 4.20 B/. | - 53% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (2.26 B/.) | 2.35 B/. | - 4% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,232 (690 B/.) | 1,211 B/. | - 43% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.55 (0.10 B/.) | 0.43 B/. | - 76% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 555 (37 B/.) | 52 B/. | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 46 (3.12 B/.) | 4.00 B/. | - 22% | |
| TOTAL | - 15% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06742
PAB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,633 prices entered by 202 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 15% cheaper than in Panama
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