Prices and Cost of Living in South Africa

Food and beverage prices in South Africa

Popular food products found on store shelves in South Africa include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 25.87 ZAR (1.44 USD) for a kilo of onions to 118 ZAR (6.57 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 29.38 ZAR (1.64 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 19.25 ZAR (1.07 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 26.73 ZAR (1.49 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 29.15 ZAR (1.63 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 16.31 ZAR (0.91 USD). Dairy prices in South Africa, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 21.09 ZAR (1.18 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 148 ZAR (8.23 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 84.15 ZAR (4.7 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 44.43 ZAR (2.48 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 29.17 ZAR (1.63 USD) per kilo.

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in South Africa vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 40 ZAR (2.23 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 19.08 ZAR (1.06 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 87 ZAR (4.85 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 800 ZAR (44.64 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 200 ZAR (11.16 USD).

How much does transportation cost in South Africa?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 32 ZAR (1.79 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 1500 ZAR (83.69 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 20 ZAR (1.12 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 16 ZAR (0.89 USD).

Fuel prices in South Africa

Average fuel prices in South Africa are 21.87 ZAR (1.22 USD) per liter of gasoline and 22.35 ZAR (1.25 USD) per liter of diesel.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in South Africa?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in South Africa varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 6853 ZAR (382 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 7643 ZAR (426 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 17750 ZAR (990 USD) per square meter.