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 21.97 ZAR (1.17 USD) for a kilo of onions to 132 ZAR (7.06 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 25.65 ZAR (1.37 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 16.27 ZAR (0.87 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 25.78 ZAR (1.37 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 26.98 ZAR (1.44 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 16.69 ZAR (0.89 USD). Dairy prices in South Africa, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 18.65 ZAR (0.99 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 120 ZAR (6.38 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 81.46 ZAR (4.34 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 35.68 ZAR (1.9 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 25.72 ZAR (1.37 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 32.22 ZAR (1.72 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 16.01 ZAR (0.85 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 80 ZAR (4.26 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 700 ZAR (37.31 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 165 ZAR (8.8 USD).

How much does transportation cost in South Africa?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 31 ZAR (1.65 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 1300 ZAR (69.3 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 25 ZAR (1.33 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 18.25 ZAR (0.97 USD).

Fuel prices in South Africa

Average fuel prices in South Africa are 22.44 ZAR (1.2 USD) per liter of gasoline and 23.39 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 6380 ZAR (340 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 6971 ZAR (372 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 14463 ZAR (771 USD) per square meter.