Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 102 ($7) | $14 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 58 ($3.91) | $8 | - 50% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 ($2.81) | $4.34 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($0.99) | $0.87 | + 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 34 ($2.31) | $3.01 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.38) | $4.09 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 ($4.07) | $6 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 ($1.54) | $3.37 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 20 ($1.37) | $1.72 | - 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 17 ($1.13) | $3.24 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 86 ($5.74) | $15 | - 61% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 21 ($1.38) | $1.92 | - 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 12 ($0.79) | $2.08 | - 62% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 15,042 ($1,009) | $2,232 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,381 ($629) | $1,606 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,213 ($81) | $179 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,593 ($710) | $1,609 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,513 ($437) | $1,137 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 767 ($51) | $117 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 622 ($42) | $48 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,936 ($331) | $299 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,382 ($93) | $120 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 79 ($5.32) | $11 | - 51% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 43 ($2.92) | $23 | - 87% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 737 ($49) | $49 | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 623 ($42) | $44 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,282 ($86) | $87 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,149 ($77) | $113 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 307,567 ($20,627) | $22,926 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 16 ($1.08) | $0.77 | + 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 605 ($41) | $80 | - 49% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 62 ($4.19) | $7 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 239 ($16) | $20 | - 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 471 ($32) | $110 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 45 ($3.03) | $7 | - 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 30 ($2.02) | $3.50 | - 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 55 ($3.67) | $4.98 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 ($1.67) | $3.55 | - 53% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 ($1.29) | $1.84 | - 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 123 ($8) | $22 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 343 ($23) | $45 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 170 ($11) | $24 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 753 ($51) | $221 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 521 ($35) | $75 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 63 ($4.25) | $12 | - 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 ($2.02) | $4.81 | - 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 31 ($2.08) | $5.83 | - 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 7,428 ($498) | $404 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.82 ($0.12) | $0.19 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 535 ($36) | $54 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 42 ($2.81) | $8 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 45% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 16, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.06706
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 56,205 prices entered by 6,915 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in United States
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