Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 58% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 141 ($8) | $18 | - 56% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 68 ($3.75) | $9 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 ($2.31) | $5.31 | - 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 17 ($0.95) | $1.05 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 39 ($2.15) | $3.72 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 22 ($1.24) | $4.50 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 64 ($3.51) | $7 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 25 ($1.37) | $3.82 | - 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.12) | $1.87 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 ($1.22) | $3.29 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 87 ($4.78) | $16 | - 70% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 ($1.25) | $2.45 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 ($0.81) | $2.38 | - 66% | |
| Housing | - 58% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,181 ($950) | $2,461 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,859 ($711) | $1,850 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,629 ($90) | $202 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 9,841 ($544) | $1,758 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,008 ($387) | $1,300 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,284 ($71) | $135 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 748 ($41) | $55 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,764 ($319) | $302 | + 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,919 ($106) | $130 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 88 ($4.85) | $13 | - 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 53 ($2.91) | $28 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 28% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 805 ($44) | $51 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 572 ($32) | $48 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,513 ($84) | $97 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,327 ($73) | $118 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 298,947 ($16,525) | $26,775 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 22 ($1.20) | $1.17 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 677 ($37) | $75 | - 50% | |
| Personal Care | - 60% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 88 ($4.85) | $7 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 192 ($11) | $18 | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 482 ($27) | $126 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 46 ($2.55) | $8 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 33 ($1.81) | $4.45 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 65 ($3.58) | $5.38 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 ($1.66) | $4.22 | - 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 ($1.34) | $2.17 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 159 ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| Entertainment | - 57% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 387 ($21) | $52 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 202 ($11) | $27 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 476 ($26) | $202 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 607 ($34) | $91 | - 63% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 72 ($3.99) | $13 | - 70% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 31 ($1.69) | $5.48 | - 69% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 ($1.80) | $6 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 6,770 ($374) | $501 | - 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.54 ($0.08) | $0.19 | - 56% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 567 ($31) | $54 | - 42% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 ($2.59) | $10 | - 73% | |
| TOTAL | - 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.05528
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,367 prices entered by 2,794 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United States
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