Cost of living in South Africa compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 117 (£5.94) | £11 | - 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 61 (£3.12) | £5.75 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 40 (£2.03) | £3.17 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 (£0.81) | £0.85 | - 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 (£1.67) | £2.61 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 (£1.08) | £1.91 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 64 (£3.25) | £3.65 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 (£1.22) | £1.93 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 18 (£0.93) | £0.94 | - 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 20 (£1.00) | £1.71 | - 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 100 (£5.09) | £8 | - 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 (£1.13) | £1.94 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 (£0.60) | £0.95 | - 36% | |
| Housing | - 49% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 13,861 (£704) | £1,753 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,685 (£492) | £1,073 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,358 (£69) | £147 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,183 (£466) | £1,027 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,642 (£337) | £815 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 915 (£46) | £90 | - 49% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 647 (£33) | £26 | + 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,800 (£244) | £311 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,459 (£74) | £73 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 90 (£4.56) | £6 | - 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 35 (£1.80) | £12 | - 84% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 17% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 820 (£42) | £64 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 549 (£28) | £32 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,364 (£69) | £72 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,298 (£66) | £70 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 37% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 342,187 (£17,383) | £20,866 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 (£0.77) | £1.19 | - 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 893 (£45) | £81 | - 44% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 64 (£3.23) | £2.99 | + 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 190 (£10) | £9 | + 10% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 477 (£24) | £68 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 49 (£2.49) | £3.03 | - 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 (£1.55) | £1.59 | - 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 48 (£2.45) | £3.35 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 (£1.27) | £1.85 | - 31% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 22 (£1.13) | £1.43 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 138 (£7) | £15 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 38% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 350 (£18) | £31 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 176 (£9) | £18 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 779 (£40) | £144 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 540 (£27) | £56 | - 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 76 (£3.87) | £9 | - 57% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 31 (£1.57) | £3.04 | - 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 32 (£1.63) | £4.51 | - 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,325 (£575) | £429 | + 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.70 (£0.09) | £0.10 | - 16% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 534 (£27) | £32 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 49 (£2.50) | £12 | - 79% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 09, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.05080
GBP
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 7,531 prices entered by 1,051 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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