Cost of Living Comparison Between Australia and South Africa 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in South Africa is 46.6% lower than in Australia (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in South Africa is 50.8% lower than in Australia | |
| Rent Prices in South Africa are 61.6% lower than in Australia | |
| Restaurant Prices in South Africa are 46.8% lower than in Australia | |
| Groceries Prices in South Africa are 58.3% lower than in Australia | |
| Local Purchasing Power in South Africa is 22.7% lower than in Australia | |
Restaurants | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant |
A$25.00 (R287.33) |
A$15.66 (R180.00) |
-37.4 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) |
A$120.00 (R1,379.17) |
A$60.91 (R700.00) |
-49.2 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) |
A$15.00 (R172.40) |
A$7.83 (R90.00) |
-47.8 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) |
A$11.00 (R126.42) |
A$3.48 (R40.00) |
-68.4 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
A$11.00 (R126.42) |
A$4.35 (R50.00) |
-60.5 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) |
A$5.60 (R64.39) |
A$3.30 (R37.96) |
-41.0 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) |
A$4.11 (R47.26) |
A$1.63 (R18.74) |
-60.3 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) |
A$3.34 (R38.43) |
A$1.27 (R14.59) |
-62.0 % |
Markets | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) |
A$2.49 (R28.64) |
A$1.74 (R19.95) |
-30.3 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) |
A$3.52 (R40.41) |
A$1.42 (R16.31) |
-59.6 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) |
A$1.45 (R16.64) |
A$1.16 (R13.33) |
-19.9 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) |
A$7.22 (R83.01) |
A$3.60 (R41.43) |
-50.1 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) |
A$6.39 (R73.40) |
A$5.38 (R61.85) |
-15.7 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
A$5.95 (R68.43) |
A$3.36 (R38.67) |
-43.5 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) |
A$9.70 (R111.45) |
A$4.95 (R56.91) |
-48.9 % |
| Apples (1 lb) |
A$2.38 (R27.30) |
A$1.18 (R13.52) |
-50.5 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) |
A$1.94 (R22.34) |
A$1.08 (R12.44) |
-44.3 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) |
A$2.06 (R23.63) |
A$1.12 (R12.89) |
-45.5 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
A$3.14 (R36.12) |
A$1.15 (R13.16) |
-63.6 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
A$1.80 (R20.68) |
A$0.93 (R10.72) |
-48.2 % |
| Onions (1 lb) |
A$1.51 (R17.36) |
A$0.97 (R11.09) |
-36.1 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) |
A$3.46 (R39.74) |
A$1.76 (R20.26) |
-49.0 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) |
A$2.45 (R28.14) |
A$1.59 (R18.25) |
-35.2 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
A$20.00 (R229.86) |
A$7.44 (R85.50) |
-62.8 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) |
A$6.83 (R78.55) |
A$2.17 (R24.98) |
-68.2 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) |
A$7.32 (R84.17) |
A$2.90 (R33.35) |
-60.4 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) |
A$50.40 (R579.25) |
A$4.79 (R55.00) |
-90.5 % |
Transportation | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) |
A$4.50 (R51.72) |
A$2.22 (R25.50) |
-50.7 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) |
A$131.62 (R1,512.69) |
A$87.01 (R1,000.00) |
-33.9 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) |
A$5.00 (R57.47) |
A$1.57 (R18.00) |
-68.7 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) |
A$3.69 (R42.36) |
A$2.10 (R24.14) |
-43.0 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) |
A$56.52 (R649.59) |
A$10.96 (R126.00) |
-80.6 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) |
A$1.85 (R21.24) |
A$1.97 (R22.64) |
+6.6 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) |
A$40,000.00 (R459,723.96) |
A$51,248.14 (R589,000.00) |
+28.1 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) |
A$40,133.26 (R461,255.58) |
A$44,671.79 (R513,417.28) |
+11.3 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) |
A$284.02 (R3,264.29) |
A$186.54 (R2,143.90) |
-34.3 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) |
A$41.36 (R475.32) |
A$50.26 (R577.63) |
+21.5 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) |
A$82.34 (R946.33) |
A$58.16 (R668.47) |
-29.4 % |
Sports And Leisure | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership |
A$78.18 (R898.58) |
A$48.96 (R562.65) |
-37.4 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) |
A$26.86 (R308.67) |
A$16.36 (R188.06) |
-39.1 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) |
A$21.00 (R241.36) |
A$10.44 (R120.00) |
-50.3 % |
Childcare | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child |
A$3,048.25 (R35,033.81) |
A$327.24 (R3,761.02) |
-89.3 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child |
A$24,855.93 (R285,671.63) |
A$7,669.41 (R88,145.30) |
-69.1 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) |
A$111.77 (R1,284.63) |
A$76.80 (R882.69) |
-31.3 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) |
A$76.97 (R884.66) |
A$48.33 (R555.52) |
-37.2 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
A$160.04 (R1,839.39) |
A$146.19 (R1,680.18) |
-8.7 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes |
A$173.83 (R1,997.80) |
A$128.65 (R1,478.55) |
-26.0 % |
Rent Per Month | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
A$2,183.58 (R25,096.11) |
A$701.10 (R8,057.83) |
-67.9 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
A$1,739.33 (R19,990.34) |
A$590.93 (R6,791.65) |
-66.0 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre |
A$3,431.10 (R39,433.98) |
A$1,426.40 (R16,393.75) |
-58.4 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre |
A$2,729.47 (R31,370.10) |
A$1,157.31 (R13,301.09) |
-57.6 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
A$978.12 (R11,241.65) |
A$143.95 (R1,654.42) |
-85.3 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
A$732.11 (R8,414.25) |
A$102.86 (R1,182.13) |
-86.0 % |
Salaries And Financing | Australia Edit |
South Africa Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
A$5,762.11 (R66,224.54) |
A$2,190.82 (R25,179.28) |
-62.0 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 5.91 | 11.26 | +90.6 % |
| Last update: | 14 June 2026 | 13 June 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 1031 | 434 | |
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