Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 56% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 106 ($6) | $15 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 61 ($3.57) | $8 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 ($2.52) | $4.32 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($0.86) | $0.87 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 33 ($1.94) | $2.98 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 20 ($1.16) | $4.02 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 58 ($3.39) | $6 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 ($1.36) | $3.37 | - 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 19 ($1.14) | $1.78 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 ($1.06) | $3.13 | - 66% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 92 ($5.40) | $14 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 21 ($1.24) | $1.94 | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 11 ($0.66) | $2.03 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 14,522 ($855) | $2,266 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 9,312 ($549) | $1,623 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,246 ($73) | $176 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,702 ($630) | $1,605 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,423 ($378) | $1,152 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 789 ($46) | $107 | - 57% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 593 ($35) | $48 | - 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,072 ($299) | $299 | + 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,388 ($82) | $117 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 80 ($4.70) | $11 | - 56% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 36 ($2.11) | $22 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 726 ($43) | $49 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 670 ($39) | $45 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,318 ($78) | $86 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,139 ($67) | $111 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 324,796 ($19,133) | $23,140 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 16 ($0.93) | $0.74 | + 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 622 ($37) | $80 | - 54% | |
| Personal Care | - 56% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 70 ($4.12) | $7 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 202 ($12) | $20 | - 41% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 492 ($29) | $109 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 46 ($2.72) | $7 | - 59% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 30 ($1.79) | $3.60 | - 50% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 55 ($3.22) | $5.20 | - 38% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 25 ($1.50) | $3.62 | - 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 ($1.12) | $1.86 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 125 ($7) | $21 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 344 ($20) | $45 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 174 ($10) | $25 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 749 ($44) | $220 | - 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 539 ($32) | $75 | - 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 63 ($3.69) | $12 | - 69% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 31 ($1.85) | $4.83 | - 62% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 ($1.92) | $5.79 | - 67% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,257 ($486) | $392 | + 24% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.79 ($0.11) | $0.23 | - 53% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 535 ($31) | $52 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 41 ($2.40) | $8 | - 70% | |
| TOTAL | - 51% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 03, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.05891
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 44,996 prices entered by 5,713 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 51% cheaper than in United States
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