Cost of living in South Africa compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (£5.88) | £14 | - 57% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 79 (£3.47) | £6 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 (£1.90) | £3.20 | - 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (£0.78) | £0.99 | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 (£1.72) | £3.12 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 (£1.11) | £2.00 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 71 (£3.11) | £3.77 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (£1.25) | £1.95 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 23 (£1.03) | £0.91 | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 20 (£0.89) | £1.68 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 110 (£4.82) | £8 | - 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 25 (£1.08) | £2.11 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 16 (£0.70) | £1.00 | - 31% | |
| Housing | - 55% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 55% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,392 (£633) | £1,877 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 10,886 (£479) | £1,336 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,738 (£76) | £194 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,201 (£448) | £1,047 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,104 (£312) | £851 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,338 (£59) | £120 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 649 (£29) | £27 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,889 (£259) | £292 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,917 (£84) | £82 | + 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 104 (£4.57) | £6 | - 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 60 (£2.63) | £14 | - 81% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 20% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 849 (£37) | £62 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 599 (£26) | £32 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,621 (£71) | £69 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,478 (£65) | £71 | - 8% | |
| Transportation | - 57% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 57% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 312,925 (£13,755) | £24,823 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (£1.02) | £1.65 | - 38% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 656 (£29) | £88 | - 67% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 35% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 83 (£3.64) | £4.06 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 232 (£10) | £10 | + 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 548 (£24) | £86 | - 72% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 (£2.11) | £2.95 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 37 (£1.61) | £1.68 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 74 (£3.23) | £3.69 | - 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 (£1.50) | £2.21 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 (£1.12) | £1.58 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 176 (£8) | £14 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Africa | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 463 (£20) | £36 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 223 (£10) | £20 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 688 (£30) | £123 | - 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 715 (£31) | £60 | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 67 (£2.94) | £9 | - 69% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (£1.46) | £3.21 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 30 (£1.34) | £4.80 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,044 (£354) | £432 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.59 (£0.07) | £0.10 | - 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 469 (£21) | £34 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 48 (£2.13) | £13 | - 83% | |
| TOTAL | - 52% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.04396
GBP
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,611 prices entered by 895 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 52% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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