Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 53% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 129 ($8) | $17 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 68 ($4.29) | $9 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 ($2.63) | $5.09 | - 48% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 16 ($1.05) | $0.99 | + 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 40 ($2.52) | $3.31 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.35) | $4.43 | - 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 62 ($3.94) | $7 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 24 ($1.53) | $3.93 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 19 ($1.23) | $1.92 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 ($1.33) | $3.31 | - 60% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 87 ($5.55) | $16 | - 64% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 ($1.47) | $2.26 | - 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 13 ($0.85) | $2.48 | - 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 15,411 ($978) | $2,512 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,359 ($721) | $1,960 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,568 ($100) | $202 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 8,801 ($559) | $1,774 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,669 ($423) | $1,344 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 787 ($50) | $137 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 755 ($48) | $56 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,346 ($339) | $301 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,882 ($120) | $134 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 89 ($5.67) | $12 | - 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 35 ($2.24) | $27 | - 92% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 813 ($52) | $51 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 550 ($35) | $46 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,485 ($94) | $92 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,256 ($80) | $121 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 311,470 ($19,776) | $25,479 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 20 ($1.28) | $1.07 | + 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 843 ($54) | $78 | - 31% | |
| Personal Care | - 59% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 51 ($3.22) | $7 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 175 ($11) | $19 | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 447 ($28) | $123 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 37 ($2.37) | $7 | - 68% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 29 ($1.85) | $4.14 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 56 ($3.56) | $5.48 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 ($1.92) | $4.17 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 19 ($1.23) | $2.05 | - 40% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 132 ($8) | $26 | - 67% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 387 ($25) | $49 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 194 ($12) | $27 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 606 ($38) | $190 | - 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 582 ($37) | $84 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 77 ($4.89) | $13 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 30 ($1.91) | $5.20 | - 63% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 ($2.07) | $6 | - 67% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,284 ($589) | $490 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.68 ($0.11) | $0.17 | - 36% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 533 ($34) | $53 | - 36% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 ($2.89) | $9 | - 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 46% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 25, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.06349
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,318 prices entered by 2,765 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 46% cheaper than in United States
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