Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 60% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 155 ($8) | $20 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 81 ($4.29) | $11 | - 59% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 47 ($2.50) | $5.69 | - 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 ($0.98) | $1.09 | - 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 ($2.19) | $5.03 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 26 ($1.40) | $4.67 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 80 ($4.26) | $7 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 29 ($1.55) | $4.47 | - 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 24 ($1.26) | $2.33 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 ($1.14) | $3.09 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 99 ($5.26) | $16 | - 66% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 ($1.25) | $2.89 | - 57% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 ($0.89) | $2.79 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 68% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 68% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 18,814 ($996) | $3,145 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 13,014 ($689) | $2,416 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,049 ($108) | $223 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,227 ($541) | $2,089 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,971 ($369) | $1,601 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,219 ($65) | $144 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 692 ($37) | $67 | - 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,566 ($295) | $301 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,647 ($87) | $143 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 130 ($7) | $14 | - 52% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 73 ($3.87) | $31 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 863 ($46) | $59 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 597 ($32) | $53 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,589 ($84) | $98 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,362 ($72) | $136 | - 47% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 439,617 ($23,262) | $28,071 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 ($1.24) | $1.03 | + 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 833 ($44) | $81 | - 46% | |
| Personal Care | - 62% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 62% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 56 ($2.94) | $9 | - 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 214 ($11) | $23 | - 50% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 592 ($31) | $141 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 48 ($2.53) | $9 | - 72% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 46 ($2.41) | $4.75 | - 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 60 ($3.15) | $6 | - 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 39 ($2.08) | $4.84 | - 57% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 30 ($1.60) | $2.26 | - 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 159 ($8) | $29 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 58% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 445 ($24) | $57 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 ($12) | $30 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 763 ($40) | $226 | - 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 714 ($38) | $95 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 78 ($4.12) | $14 | - 71% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 35 ($1.86) | $5.50 | - 66% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 ($1.82) | $7 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 10,108 ($535) | $610 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.50 ($0.08) | $0.22 | - 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 628 ($33) | $69 | - 52% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 52 ($2.73) | $10 | - 74% | |
| TOTAL | - 56% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05291
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,377 prices entered by 2,792 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 56% cheaper than in United States
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