Cost of living comparison
South Africa is 54.9% cheaper than Chicago.
- Restaurants
-
pay 65.0% less in South Africa
- Groceries
-
pay 53.2% less in South Africa
- Transportation
-
pay 21.6% less in South Africa
- Housing
-
pay 57.0% less in South Africa
- Childcare
-
pay 91.8% less in South Africa
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 66.8% less in South Africa
- Clothing
-
pay 28.9% less in South Africa
Expenses including childcare, entertainment and sports, restaurants, housing, groceries, and clothing are lower in South Africa.
If you lived in South Africa instead of Chicago, you would:
pay 65.0% less for restaurants
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$25.00
|
$8.97
ZAR167.89
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.34
|
$4.77
ZAR89.27
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$3.02
|
$0.95
ZAR17.86
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.44
|
$0.74
ZAR13.87
|
|
pay 53.2% less for groceries
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.19
|
$0.99
ZAR18.54
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.87
|
$3.67
ZAR68.77
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.94
|
$4.20
ZAR78.56
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.75
|
$2.23
ZAR41.67
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$6.63
|
$2.03
ZAR37.95
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.44
|
$0.68
ZAR12.67
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.90
|
$0.62
ZAR11.55
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.19
|
$0.64
ZAR12.01
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.27
|
$0.70
ZAR13.07
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.16
|
$0.55
ZAR10.36
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.37
|
$0.61
ZAR11.39
|
|
pay 21.6% less for transportation
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.16
|
$4.99
ZAR93.35
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$75.00
|
$52.31
ZAR978.84
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,965.00
|
$20,607.77
ZAR385,612.54
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$14.43
|
$8.55
ZAR159.97
|
|
pay 57.0% less for housing
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$58.52
|
$41.37
ZAR774.11
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,360.96
|
$382.55
ZAR7,158.34
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,512.92
|
$326.35
ZAR6,106.61
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$126.63
|
$80.40
ZAR1,504.41
|
|
pay 91.8% less for childcare
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$2,475.00
|
$174.12
ZAR3,258.07
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$42,300.00
|
$4,033.53
ZAR75,475.36
|
|
pay 66.8% less for entertainment and sports
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.50
|
$2.11
ZAR39.44
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.30
|
$1.88
ZAR35.23
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$17.00
|
$2.90
ZAR54.34
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$72.00
|
$29.50
ZAR552.01
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$15.00
|
$6.62
ZAR123.89
|
|
pay 28.9% less for clothing
|
Chicago
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$64.98
|
$47.72
ZAR892.85
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$51.67
|
$32.06
ZAR599.89
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$97.00
|
$90.39
ZAR1,691.36
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$146.00
|
$81.37
ZAR1,522.54
|
|
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