Cost of living in South Africa compared to Saudi Arabia
Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 22% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 147 (﷼ 31) | ﷼ 32 | - 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 89 (﷼ 18) | ﷼ 31 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 (﷼ 12) | ﷼ 18 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 (﷼ 4.06) | ﷼ 6 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 50 (﷼ 10) | ﷼ 16 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (﷼ 5.98) | ﷼ 6 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (﷼ 19) | ﷼ 16 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 (﷼ 6) | ﷼ 8 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 (﷼ 5.39) | ﷼ 5.12 | + 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 24 (﷼ 5.04) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 114 (﷼ 24) | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (﷼ 5.57) | ﷼ 8 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (﷼ 2.87) | ﷼ 3.61 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,744 (﷼ 3,483) | ﷼ 7,199 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,617 (﷼ 2,624) | ﷼ 4,041 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,092 (﷼ 435) | ﷼ 507 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,976 (﷼ 2,283) | ﷼ 4,310 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,682 (﷼ 1,598) | ﷼ 2,838 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,388 (﷼ 289) | ﷼ 706 | - 59% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 584 (﷼ 122) | ﷼ 254 | - 52% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,723 (﷼ 1,398) | ﷼ 1,109 | + 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,773 (﷼ 369) | ﷼ 405 | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 132 (﷼ 28) | ﷼ 38 | - 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 55 (﷼ 11) | ﷼ 48 | - 76% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 23% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 873 (﷼ 182) | ﷼ 181 | + 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 615 (﷼ 128) | ﷼ 201 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,860 (﷼ 387) | ﷼ 399 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,354 (﷼ 282) | ﷼ 337 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | + 14% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 14% more expensive than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 396,258 (﷼ 82,418) | ﷼ 94,922 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (﷼ 4.84) | ﷼ 2.27 | + 113% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 791 (﷼ 164) | ﷼ 146 | + 13% | |
| Personal Care | - 53% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 53% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 48 (﷼ 10) | ﷼ 8 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 (﷼ 36) | ﷼ 90 | - 60% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 543 (﷼ 113) | ﷼ 198 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 (﷼ 12) | ﷼ 80 | - 85% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 (﷼ 8) | ﷼ 20 | - 60% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (﷼ 14) | ﷼ 15 | - 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 33 (﷼ 7) | ﷼ 16 | - 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 31 (﷼ 6) | ﷼ 21 | - 69% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 113 (﷼ 23) | ﷼ 34 | - 30% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 (﷼ 90) | ﷼ 112 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 (﷼ 47) | ﷼ 120 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 (﷼ 240) | ﷼ 200 | + 20% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 654 (﷼ 136) | ﷼ 218 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (﷼ 20) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 (﷼ 8) | ﷼ 18 | - 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (﷼ 9) | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 (﷼ 2,475) | ﷼ 2,708 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 (﷼ 0.63) | ﷼ 0.35 | + 80% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 541 (﷼ 112) | ﷼ 405 | - 72% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 53 (﷼ 11) | ﷼ 26 | - 58% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 05, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.20799
SAR
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,338 prices entered by 177 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia
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