Cost of living in South Africa compared to Russia
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 30% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 126 (руб 686) | руб 539 | + 27% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 84 (руб 460) | руб 376 | + 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (руб 303) | руб 219 | + 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (руб 106) | руб 86 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (руб 276) | руб 147 | + 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (руб 160) | руб 214 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (руб 492) | руб 433 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 (руб 168) | руб 135 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (руб 141) | руб 52 | + 171% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (руб 146) | руб 90 | + 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 144 (руб 786) | руб 686 | + 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (руб 147) | руб 166 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (руб 78) | руб 39 | + 98% | |
| Housing | + 24% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 24% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,971 (руб 81,593) | руб 104,544 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,971 (руб 59,792) | руб 60,730 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,134 (руб 11,629) | руб 8,180 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 14,448 (руб 78,740) | руб 52,770 | + 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 10,086 (руб 54,966) | руб 32,676 | + 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 2,095 (руб 11,416) | руб 5,873 | + 94% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 602 (руб 3,280) | руб 841 | + 290% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,447 (руб 35,138) | руб 23,070 | + 52% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,670 (руб 9,104) | руб 8,157 | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 135 (руб 736) | руб 547 | + 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 131 (руб 712) | руб 1,019 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is about the same as in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 845 (руб 4,607) | руб 6,257 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 620 (руб 3,379) | руб 3,158 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,817 (руб 9,901) | руб 8,910 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,593 (руб 8,679) | руб 7,671 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | + 62% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 62% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 396,258 (руб 2,159,585) | руб 2,623,330 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (руб 127) | руб 55 | + 133% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 791 (руб 4,309) | руб 1,861 | + 132% | |
| Personal Care | + 26% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 26% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 48 (руб 264) | руб 307 | - 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 (руб 941) | руб 519 | + 81% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 543 (руб 2,957) | руб 1,839 | + 61% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 (руб 313) | руб 337 | - 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (руб 211) | руб 260 | - 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (руб 369) | руб 223 | + 66% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 33 (руб 181) | руб 126 | + 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 31 (руб 169) | руб 138 | + 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 113 (руб 614) | руб 526 | + 17% | |
| Entertainment | + 33% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 33% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
| South Africa | Russia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (руб 2,346) | руб 1,898 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 (руб 1,231) | руб 669 | + 84% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (руб 6,290) | руб 5,232 | + 20% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 654 (руб 3,562) | руб 3,250 | + 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (руб 516) | руб 487 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 (руб 209) | руб 182 | + 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (руб 225) | руб 249 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (руб 64,849) | руб 58,430 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 (руб 17) | руб 3.22 | + 414% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 541 (руб 2,947) | руб 3,789 | - 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (руб 301) | руб 206 | + 46% | |
| TOTAL | + 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
5.450
RUB
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,988 prices entered by 287 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 34% more expensive than in Russia
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