Cost of living comparison
South Africa is 50.4% cheaper than Maryland.
- Restaurants
-
pay 55.7% less in South Africa
- Groceries
-
pay 51.2% less in South Africa
- Transportation
-
pay 19.1% less in South Africa
- Housing
-
pay 61.2% less in South Africa
- Childcare
-
pay 88.0% less in South Africa
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 61.2% less in South Africa
- Clothing
-
pay 16.4% less in South Africa
Expenses including childcare, housing, entertainment and sports, restaurants, groceries, and transportation are lower in South Africa.
If you lived in South Africa instead of Maryland, you would:
pay 55.7% less for restaurants
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.52
|
$8.97
ZAR158.90
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.32
|
$4.77
ZAR84.49
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.35
|
$0.95
ZAR16.90
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.01
|
$0.74
ZAR13.12
|
|
pay 51.2% less for groceries
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.64
|
$0.99
ZAR17.54
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.32
|
$3.67
ZAR65.08
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.96
|
$4.20
ZAR74.36
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.43
|
$2.23
ZAR39.44
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.53
|
$2.03
ZAR35.92
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.77
|
$0.68
ZAR11.99
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.78
|
$0.62
ZAR10.93
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.48
|
$0.64
ZAR11.37
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.42
|
$0.70
ZAR12.37
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.76
|
$0.55
ZAR9.80
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.32
|
$0.61
ZAR10.78
|
|
pay 19.1% less for transportation
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.38
|
$4.99
ZAR88.35
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$100.44
|
$52.31
ZAR926.45
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$27,215.38
|
$20,607.77
ZAR364,970.87
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.66
|
$8.55
ZAR151.40
|
|
pay 61.2% less for housing
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$74.60
|
$41.37
ZAR732.67
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,887.47
|
$382.55
ZAR6,775.16
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,554.10
|
$326.35
ZAR5,779.73
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$137.97
|
$80.40
ZAR1,423.88
|
|
pay 88.0% less for childcare
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,794.91
|
$174.12
ZAR3,083.66
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$28,176.36
|
$4,033.53
ZAR71,435.20
|
|
pay 61.2% less for entertainment and sports
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.98
|
$2.11
ZAR37.33
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.95
|
$1.88
ZAR33.34
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.40
|
$2.90
ZAR51.44
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.66
|
$29.50
ZAR522.46
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.62
|
$6.62
ZAR117.26
|
|
pay 16.4% less for clothing
|
Maryland
|
South Africa
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.07
|
$47.72
ZAR845.05
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$39.27
|
$32.06
ZAR567.78
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$97.44
|
$90.39
ZAR1,600.82
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$125.81
|
$81.37
ZAR1,441.04
|
|
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