Cost of living comparison
South Africa is 48.3% cheaper than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 57.5% less in South Africa
- Groceries
-
pay 49.6% less in South Africa
- Transportation
-
pay 17.1% less in South Africa
- Housing
-
pay 59.6% less in South Africa
- Childcare
-
pay 84.5% less in South Africa
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 57.7% less in South Africa
- Clothing
-
pay 11.8% less in South Africa
Expenses including childcare, housing, entertainment and sports, restaurants, groceries, and transportation are lower in South Africa.
If you lived in South Africa instead of United States, you would:
pay 57.5% less for restaurants
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.59
|
$8.97
ZAR165.16
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.47
|
$4.77
ZAR87.82
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.50
|
$0.95
ZAR17.57
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.96
|
$0.74
ZAR13.64
|
|
pay 49.6% less for groceries
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.49
|
$0.99
ZAR18.23
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.33
|
$3.67
ZAR67.65
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.91
|
$4.20
ZAR77.29
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.56
|
$2.23
ZAR41.00
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.16
|
$2.03
ZAR37.34
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.33
|
$0.68
ZAR12.46
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.78
|
$0.62
ZAR11.36
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.00
|
$0.64
ZAR11.82
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.16
|
$0.70
ZAR12.86
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.34
|
$0.55
ZAR10.19
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.38
|
$0.61
ZAR11.21
|
|
pay 17.1% less for transportation
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$4.99
ZAR91.83
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$65.15
|
$52.31
ZAR962.95
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,583.67
|
$20,607.77
ZAR379,351.69
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.81
|
$8.55
ZAR157.37
|
|
pay 59.6% less for housing
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$67.50
|
$41.37
ZAR761.54
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,655.99
|
$382.55
ZAR7,042.12
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,423.40
|
$326.35
ZAR6,007.47
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$148.34
|
$80.40
ZAR1,479.98
|
|
pay 84.5% less for childcare
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,351.84
|
$174.12
ZAR3,205.17
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,265.44
|
$4,033.53
ZAR74,249.94
|
|
pay 57.7% less for entertainment and sports
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.78
|
$2.11
ZAR38.80
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.04
|
$1.88
ZAR34.66
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.68
|
$2.90
ZAR53.46
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$50.84
|
$29.50
ZAR543.05
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.30
|
$6.62
ZAR121.88
|
|
pay 11.8% less for clothing
United States
|
South Africa
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.38
|
$47.72
ZAR878.35
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.66
|
$32.06
ZAR590.15
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.52
|
$90.39
ZAR1,663.90
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.08
|
$81.37
ZAR1,497.82
|
|
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