Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 158 ($9) | $20 | - 55% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 87 ($4.96) | $11 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 55 ($3.12) | $5.41 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 ($1.09) | $1.05 | + 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 48 ($2.75) | $4.45 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 ($1.65) | $4.44 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 88 ($4.98) | $7 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 31 ($1.79) | $4.02 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 ($1.47) | $2.11 | - 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 ($1.29) | $3.75 | - 66% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 111 ($6) | $17 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 26 ($1.48) | $2.84 | - 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 ($0.82) | $2.65 | - 69% | |
| Housing | - 64% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,630 ($946) | $2,828 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,658 ($720) | $2,119 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,092 ($119) | $222 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,976 ($624) | $1,984 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,682 ($437) | $1,498 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,388 ($79) | $162 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 659 ($37) | $61 | - 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,723 ($382) | $265 | + 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,773 ($101) | $139 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 132 ($8) | $14 | - 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 79 ($4.49) | $33 | - 86% | |
| Clothes | - 29% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 887 ($50) | $57 | - 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 615 ($35) | $55 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,641 ($93) | $101 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,354 ($77) | $136 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 412,964 ($23,491) | $29,248 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 24 ($1.37) | $0.96 | + 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 686 ($39) | $77 | - 49% | |
| Personal Care | - 67% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 48 ($2.75) | $9 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 ($10) | $24 | - 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 520 ($30) | $170 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 ($3.27) | $9 | - 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 ($2.20) | $4.91 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 ($3.85) | $6 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 ($1.96) | $4.93 | - 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 ($1.49) | $2.39 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 129 ($7) | $29 | - 75% | |
| 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 414 ($24) | $59 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 ($13) | $29 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 ($66) | $224 | - 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 718 ($41) | $101 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 ($5.38) | $14 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 ($2.16) | $5.76 | - 63% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 ($2.22) | $7 | - 69% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 ($677) | $512 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 ($0.17) | $0.55 | - 69% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 571 ($32) | $63 | - 48% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 53 ($3.04) | $10 | - 70% | |
| TOTAL | - 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 11, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.05688
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,965 prices entered by 2,247 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 59% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 15% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 26% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 25% more expensive than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 45% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 59% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in United States
- Cost of living in Argentina is 40% cheaper than in United States