Cost of living in South Africa compared to Romania
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 16% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (35 lei) | 47 lei | - 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 72 (19 lei) | 25 lei | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 45 (12 lei) | 16 lei | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (4.69 lei) | 7 lei | - 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 42 (11 lei) | 14 lei | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 23 (6 lei) | 8 lei | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (18 lei) | 18 lei | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (7 lei) | 4.81 lei | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (5.41 lei) | 3.55 lei | + 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (5.83 lei) | 3.84 lei | + 52% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 (26 lei) | 33 lei | - 21% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 (6 lei) | 7 lei | - 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (3.96 lei) | 3.96 lei | - 0% | |
| Housing | + 44% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 44% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,258 (4,229 lei) | 3,450 lei | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,890 (3,353 lei) | 2,340 lei | + 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,667 (434 lei) | 473 lei | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,381 (2,700 lei) | 2,014 lei | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,400 (1,925 lei) | 1,491 lei | + 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,227 (319 lei) | 322 lei | - 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 710 (185 lei) | 38 lei | + 383% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,565 (1,448 lei) | 1,476 lei | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,165 (563 lei) | 432 lei | + 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 90 (23 lei) | 44 lei | - 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 (17 lei) | 53 lei | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 14% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 835 (217 lei) | 317 lei | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 592 (154 lei) | 181 lei | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,640 (427 lei) | 333 lei | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,361 (354 lei) | 417 lei | - 15% | |
| Transportation | + 20% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 20% more expensive than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 317,440 (82,572 lei) | 99,948 lei | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (5.89 lei) | 8 lei | - 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 658 (171 lei) | 83 lei | + 107% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 12% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 97 (25 lei) | 28 lei | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 230 (60 lei) | 29 lei | + 108% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 533 (139 lei) | 212 lei | - 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 47 (12 lei) | 23 lei | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 34 (9 lei) | 16 lei | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 65 (17 lei) | 18 lei | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 28 (7 lei) | 8 lei | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 29 (8 lei) | 14 lei | - 45% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 161 (42 lei) | 49 lei | - 15% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 26% cheaper than in Romania | ||||
| South Africa | Romania | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 417 (108 lei) | 126 lei | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 209 (54 lei) | 65 lei | - 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 476 (124 lei) | 136 lei | - 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 658 (171 lei) | 193 lei | - 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (18 lei) | 27 lei | - 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (8 lei) | 12 lei | - 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 (9 lei) | 10 lei | - 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,882 (1,530 lei) | 3,334 lei | - 54% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.50 (0.39 lei) | 0.38 lei | + 4% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 594 (154 lei) | 191 lei | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (12 lei) | 23 lei | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | + 3% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.26012
RON
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,981 prices entered by 314 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is about the same as in Romania
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