Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 51% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 51% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 110 ($7) | $15 | - 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 64 ($4.15) | $8 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 42 ($2.74) | $4.25 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($0.98) | $0.88 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 32 ($2.08) | $2.94 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 21 ($1.34) | $4.12 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 61 ($4.01) | $6 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 23 ($1.52) | $3.29 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 16 ($1.07) | $1.68 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 19 ($1.22) | $3.29 | - 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 101 ($7) | $14 | - 53% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 22 ($1.41) | $1.99 | - 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 10 ($0.68) | $2.06 | - 67% | |
| 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 14,224 ($928) | $2,211 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 8,921 ($582) | $1,554 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,216 ($79) | $178 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,827 ($706) | $1,536 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,848 ($447) | $1,119 | - 60% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 782 ($51) | $113 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 577 ($38) | $50 | - 25% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,074 ($331) | $271 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,501 ($98) | $128 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 95 ($6) | $11 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 34 ($2.20) | $22 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 819 ($53) | $47 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 608 ($40) | $43 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,303 ($85) | $87 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,211 ($79) | $109 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 346,646 ($22,613) | $23,595 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($0.99) | $0.64 | + 54% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 675 ($44) | $74 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 70 ($4.59) | $7 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 223 ($15) | $16 | - 12% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 471 ($31) | $112 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 50 ($3.29) | $7 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 ($2.11) | $3.47 | - 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 51 ($3.32) | $4.98 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 26 ($1.67) | $3.65 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 20 ($1.30) | $1.80 | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 131 ($9) | $22 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 49% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 344 ($22) | $46 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 172 ($11) | $25 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 684 ($45) | $206 | - 78% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 560 ($37) | $80 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 72 ($4.69) | $12 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 ($2.14) | $5.05 | - 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 34 ($2.20) | $5.86 | - 62% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,352 ($741) | $421 | + 76% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.82 ($0.12) | $0.51 | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 529 ($35) | $49 | - 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 ($2.91) | $8 | - 65% | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06523
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 34,350 prices entered by 4,424 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 44% cheaper than in United States
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