Cost of living comparison
China is 21.3% more expensive than South Africa overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 42.6% less in China
- Groceries
-
pay 3.4% more in China
- Transportation
-
pay 32.2% less in China
- Housing
-
pay 43.1% less in China
- Childcare
-
pay 3.6 times more in China
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 11.2% more in China
- Clothing
-
pay 6.8% less in China
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, and groceries in China are more expensive than in South Africa. Expenses including housing, restaurants, transportation, and clothing are lower in China. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in China.
If you lived in China instead of South Africa, you would:
pay 42.6% less for restaurants
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$8.97
ZAR163.29
|
$2.85
CN¥20.66
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$4.77
ZAR86.82
|
$5.07
CN¥36.67
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$0.95
ZAR17.37
|
$0.49
CN¥3.54
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.74
ZAR13.49
|
$0.30
CN¥2.17
|
|
pay 3.4% more for groceries
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$0.99
ZAR18.03
|
$1.59
CN¥11.52
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$3.67
ZAR66.88
|
$5.85
CN¥42.35
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.20
ZAR76.41
|
$6.86
CN¥49.66
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.23
ZAR40.53
|
$1.60
CN¥11.55
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$2.03
ZAR36.91
|
$1.54
CN¥11.15
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$0.68
ZAR12.32
|
$0.76
CN¥5.52
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.62
ZAR11.23
|
$0.57
CN¥4.15
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$0.64
ZAR11.68
|
$0.65
CN¥4.73
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$0.70
ZAR12.71
|
$0.52
CN¥3.79
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.55
ZAR10.08
|
$0.32
CN¥2.32
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.61
ZAR11.08
|
$0.40
CN¥2.90
|
|
pay 32.2% less for transportation
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.99
ZAR90.79
|
$4.44
CN¥32.17
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$52.31
ZAR952.04
|
$22.47
CN¥162.65
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$20,607.77
ZAR375,053.73
|
$19,071.53
CN¥138,053.11
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$8.55
ZAR155.59
|
$3.97
CN¥28.77
|
|
pay 43.1% less for housing
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$41.37
ZAR752.91
|
$11.70
CN¥84.66
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$382.55
ZAR6,962.34
|
$328.33
CN¥2,376.69
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$326.35
ZAR5,939.40
|
$205.78
CN¥1,489.58
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$80.40
ZAR1,463.22
|
$40.46
CN¥292.87
|
|
pay 3.6 times more for childcare
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$174.12
ZAR3,168.85
|
$459.70
CN¥3,327.62
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$4,033.53
ZAR73,408.70
|
$18,318.08
CN¥132,599.08
|
|
pay 11.2% more for entertainment and sports
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$2.11
ZAR38.36
|
$1.09
CN¥7.89
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$1.88
ZAR34.27
|
$3.07
CN¥22.20
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$2.90
ZAR52.86
|
$3.23
CN¥23.40
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$29.50
ZAR536.90
|
$41.41
CN¥299.74
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$6.62
ZAR120.50
|
$5.93
CN¥42.89
|
|
pay 6.8% less for clothing
|
South Africa
|
China
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$47.72
ZAR868.40
|
$48.23
CN¥349.09
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$32.06
ZAR583.46
|
$31.67
CN¥229.26
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$90.39
ZAR1,645.04
|
$72.53
CN¥525.00
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$81.37
ZAR1,480.85
|
$75.53
CN¥546.77
|
|
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