Cost of living in South Africa compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 124 (£5.18) | £15 | - 66% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 86 (£3.60) | £8 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 58 (£2.41) | £3.90 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 (£0.83) | £1.13 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 51 (£2.11) | £3.83 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (£1.22) | £2.54 | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 (£3.74) | £4.92 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (£1.18) | £2.00 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 27 (£1.11) | £0.89 | + 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 27 (£1.11) | £1.96 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 177 (£7) | £9 | - 21% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 28 (£1.18) | £2.16 | - 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 (£0.58) | £1.14 | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 23,260 (£969) | £2,362 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,122 (£505) | £1,569 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,252 (£94) | £169 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 17,041 (£710) | £1,575 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,420 (£476) | £966 | - 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,857 (£77) | £121 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 649 (£27) | £27 | + 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,589 (£274) | £256 | + 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,598 (£67) | £109 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 175 (£7) | £6 | + 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 103 (£4.30) | £15 | - 71% | |
| Clothes | - 33% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 757 (£32) | £66 | - 52% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 658 (£27) | £35 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,642 (£68) | £79 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,308 (£54) | £82 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 54% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 552,528 (£23,008) | £24,996 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 22 (£0.93) | £1.40 | - 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 621 (£26) | £86 | - 70% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 95 (£3.96) | £3.47 | + 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 264 (£11) | £8 | + 41% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 619 (£26) | £73 | - 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 63 (£2.64) | £3.86 | - 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 44 (£1.83) | £2.43 | - 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 82 (£3.40) | £4.60 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 45 (£1.88) | £2.26 | - 17% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 35 (£1.47) | £1.80 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 175 (£7) | £15 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 48% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 48% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 411 (£17) | £41 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 280 (£12) | £22 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,686 (£70) | £100 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 741 (£31) | £68 | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 (£3.97) | £11 | - 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 53 (£2.19) | £3.92 | - 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 (£1.72) | £5.97 | - 71% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 6,924 (£288) | £396 | - 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.92 (£0.16) | £0.17 | - 1% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 543 (£23) | £44 | - 48% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 54 (£2.24) | £15 | - 86% | |
| TOTAL | - 49% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04164
GBP
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,029 prices entered by 429 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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