Cost of Living in Soweto vs Blantyre

Cost of living in Soweto is very similar to Blantyre (without rent).

Rent in Soweto is 214% more expensive than in Blantyre.

Cost of living including rent in Soweto is 64% higher than in Blantyre.

Food in Soweto is 10% more expensive than in Blantyre.

Transport in Soweto is 33% cheaper than in Blantyre.

Soweto vs. Blantyre Comparision

Soweto Blantyre
Cost of Living, including rent
971 $
591 $
Without Rent
402 $
410 $
Rent & Utilities
568 $
181 $
Food
243 $
220 $
Transport
93 $
138 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,724 $
604 $
Quality of Life
39
27
Population
1.3M
1.9M

Compare other cities?

Soweto Blantyre

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
6.55 $ 4.31 $
Dinner, for 2 28 $ 15.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 4.09 $ 7.01 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.03 $ 1 $
Capuccino 2 $ 2.06 $
Coke, 330ml 1.01 $ 0.86 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.04 $ 0.85 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 0.99 $ 0.99 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.29 $ 1.48 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.68 $ 1.3 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.79 $ 4.04 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.33 $ 4.75 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.47 $ 6.42 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.63 $ 1.87 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.53 $ 2.36 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.48 $ 2.57 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.36 $ 1.03 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.32 $ 1.39 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.62 $ 0.54 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.23 $ 0.73 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 7.71 $ 8.66 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.52 $ 0.97 $
Cigarette pack 2.72 $ 0.91 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.22 $ 1.28 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 32.7 $ 15.1 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.23 $ 1.25 $
Taxi, 8 km 8.62 $ 21.4 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 22 $ 17 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.04 $ 1.48 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 2.59 $ 1.3 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.25 $ 0.73 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 0.52 $ 0.7 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
61.3 $ 22.3 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
92.8 $ 34.6 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
35.6 $ 24.8 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 368 $ 123 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 421 $ 285 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 883 $ 180 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 544 $ 469 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 917 $ 10,628 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 735 $ 406 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,724 $ 604 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 11.43 % 12.65 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 13.5 $ 43.5 $
Cinema, 1 seat 6.19 $ 1.43 $
Haircut 3.15 $ 2.95 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 74.2 $ 61.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 50.1 $ 35.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 216 $ 378 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 4,830 $ 607 $