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 134 (﷼ 29) | ﷼ 29 | - 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 72 (﷼ 15) | ﷼ 29 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (﷼ 9) | ﷼ 15 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (﷼ 3.76) | ﷼ 6 | - 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 (﷼ 9) | ﷼ 16 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 (﷼ 5.08) | ﷼ 6 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (﷼ 15) | ﷼ 13 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (﷼ 5.65) | ﷼ 8 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (﷼ 4.47) | ﷼ 4.23 | + 6% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (﷼ 4.80) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 100 (﷼ 22) | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (﷼ 5.04) | ﷼ 9 | - 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (﷼ 3.25) | ﷼ 2.43 | + 34% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 30% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,227 (﷼ 3,486) | ﷼ 3,989 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,823 (﷼ 2,754) | ﷼ 2,865 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,711 (﷼ 368) | ﷼ 759 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,414 (﷼ 2,237) | ﷼ 2,838 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,326 (﷼ 1,574) | ﷼ 1,708 | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,371 (﷼ 294) | ﷼ 660 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 698 (﷼ 150) | ﷼ 252 | - 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,520 (﷼ 1,186) | ﷼ 2,261 | - 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,172 (﷼ 467) | ﷼ 495 | - 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (﷼ 19) | ﷼ 26 | - 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 (﷼ 14) | ﷼ 59 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | - 37% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 37% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 842 (﷼ 181) | ﷼ 175 | + 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 587 (﷼ 126) | ﷼ 253 | - 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,619 (﷼ 348) | ﷼ 414 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,351 (﷼ 290) | ﷼ 369 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is about the same as in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 301,753 (﷼ 64,817) | ﷼ 90,334 | - 28% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (﷼ 4.92) | ﷼ 1.86 | + 165% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 649 (﷼ 140) | ﷼ 149 | - 6% | |
| Personal Care | - 44% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 91 (﷼ 20) | ﷼ 13 | + 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 218 (﷼ 47) | ﷼ 75 | - 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 506 (﷼ 109) | ﷼ 196 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 45 (﷼ 10) | ﷼ 35 | - 72% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (﷼ 8) | ﷼ 22 | - 65% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (﷼ 15) | ﷼ 19 | - 23% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 (﷼ 6) | ﷼ 11 | - 43% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 (﷼ 5.09) | ﷼ 19 | - 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 160 (﷼ 34) | ﷼ 43 | - 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia | ||||
| South Africa | Saudi Arabia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 413 (﷼ 89) | ﷼ 169 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 211 (﷼ 45) | ﷼ 110 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 462 (﷼ 99) | ﷼ 694 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 651 (﷼ 140) | ﷼ 217 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (﷼ 15) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (﷼ 7) | ﷼ 18 | - 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (﷼ 7) | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,291 (﷼ 1,137) | ﷼ 3,669 | - 69% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.53 (﷼ 0.33) | ﷼ 0.55 | - 41% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 557 (﷼ 120) | ﷼ 296 | - 60% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (﷼ 10) | ﷼ 27 | - 62% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.21480
SAR
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,087 prices entered by 267 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in Saudi Arabia
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