Cost of living in South Africa

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in South Africa, simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 1st of January 2019

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Food			Price in ZAR
12 eggs dozen, large			12.50 RSA
1 beer pint in local shops, markets			7 RSA
1 kg of tomatoes			8.50 RSA
Full chicken 2kg			38.75 RSA
1litre 100% fruit juice			8.50 RSA
1 package of cigarettes imported brands			25 RSA
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples			7.50 RSA
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality			48.95 RSA
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola			0.95 RSA
1 Bread loaf standard			9.50 RSA
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml			12 RSA
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna			18.50 RSA
Heinz baked beans 1 tin			8 RSA
1.5 kg Sugar			10 RSA
2 liter cooking oil			20 RSA
Yum-yum noodles per pack			2.00 RSA
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes			5.50 RSA
1 liter milk			8.50 RSA
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away			25 RSA
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat			165 RSA
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month)			145 RSA
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether)			58.50 RSA
House Cleaning fee per day			105 RSA
Large Gas heater price range upwards.			200 RSA
Original branded Electric Fans			200 RSA
Original branded Electric kettle.			120 RSA
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set			2000 RSA
Single bed Blankets			120 RSA
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne			100 RSA
Ladies hair plaiting.			60 RSA
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons)			18 RSA
Men's haircut			40 RSA
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses			24.50 RSA
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages			65 RSA
1 month of gym subscription.			105 RSA
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone)			90 RSA
Unisex Loris perfume			30 RSA
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price.			100 RSA
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards			1000 RSA
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards			3000 RSA
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks			120 RSA
Go carting 30mins			120 RSA
Movie House 3d cinema			30 RSA
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket)			15 RSA
Photo shoot			120 RSA
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee			12.50 RSA
3 course dinner local restaurant two people			96.50 RSA
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people			150 RSA
Play station 4 console without games.			2000 RSA
Spalding Basketball			200 RSA
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls			500 RSA
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km			45 RSA
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare			30 RSA
1 liter petrol/diesel			6.50 RSA
1 day rent a car cost			140 RSA
Driver’s license			2300 RSA
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar)			150 RSA
1 pair of men’s formal shoes			215 RSA
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands)			280 RSA
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers)			135.79 RSA
Ladies formal shoes original and durable			120 RSA
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance)			150 RSA

The cost of living in South Africa is very modest by global measures, there are certain aspects that are even cheaper than normal or more expensive but the general consensus is that life as a student in South Africa is very affordable.

Accommodation and feeding are the two most significant parts of monthly living expenses and they are generally higher in bigger urban communities and cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town. These cities have the most industrial and economic activities and as such the rates are higher.

While the typical cost for basic items is modest in South Africa in contrast to other nations, the total expenses in a month are dependent on several factors like location and individual lifestyle preferences.

Averagely the total cost of living can cost approximately R10,000 to R15,000 which is around $800 to $1200.

Here at RocApply, we aim to arm our students with some of the best information that is out there and as such we have a breakdown of what to expect in terms of student expenses in South Africa.

Sample Monthly Prices in Rands: