Cost of living in South Africa compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 158 ($9) | $20 | - 56% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 87 ($4.85) | $12 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 56 ($3.09) | $5.40 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 ($1.10) | $1.05 | + 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 50 ($2.79) | $4.41 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 ($1.60) | $4.46 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 90 ($4.99) | $7 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 32 ($1.77) | $3.91 | - 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 26 ($1.44) | $2.03 | - 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 24 ($1.33) | $3.85 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 114 ($6) | $17 | - 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 ($1.49) | $2.85 | - 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 14 ($0.77) | $2.58 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 65% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,744 ($932) | $2,854 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,617 ($703) | $2,117 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,092 ($117) | $221 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,976 ($611) | $2,053 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,682 ($428) | $1,518 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,388 ($77) | $156 | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 659 ($37) | $60 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,723 ($374) | $264 | + 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,773 ($99) | $146 | - 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 132 ($7) | $14 | - 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 55 ($3.08) | $32 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 847 ($47) | $57 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 615 ($34) | $54 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,641 ($91) | $102 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,354 ($75) | $139 | - 46% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 399,756 ($22,260) | $29,797 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 ($1.31) | $0.94 | + 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 791 ($44) | $79 | - 45% | |
| 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 ($2.69) | $9 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 173 ($10) | $23 | - 58% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 543 ($30) | $167 | - 82% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 57 ($3.20) | $9 | - 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 39 ($2.15) | $4.98 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 ($3.77) | $6 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 34 ($1.92) | $4.90 | - 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 ($1.46) | $2.33 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 124 ($7) | $29 | - 76% | |
| Entertainment | - 56% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Africa | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 430 ($24) | $60 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 226 ($13) | $29 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,154 ($64) | $232 | - 72% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 708 ($39) | $101 | - 61% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 95 ($5.27) | $14 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 38 ($2.13) | $5.81 | - 63% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 41 ($2.30) | $7 | - 68% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 11,899 ($663) | $487 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.04 ($0.17) | $0.48 | - 65% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 541 ($30) | $65 | - 53% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 53 ($2.97) | $10 | - 71% | |
| TOTAL | - 54% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 22, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.05568
USD
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,554 prices entered by 2,263 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 54% cheaper than in United States
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