Cost of Living in Soweto vs Johannesburg

Cost of living in Soweto is 32% lower than in Johannesburg (without rent).

Rent in Soweto is 17% more expensive than in Johannesburg.

Cost of living including rent in Soweto is 10% lower than in Johannesburg.

Food in Soweto is 20% cheaper than in Johannesburg.

Transport in Soweto is 55% cheaper than in Johannesburg.

Soweto vs. Johannesburg Comparision

Soweto Johannesburg
Cost of Living, including rent
971 $
1,079 $
Without Rent
402 $
592 $
Rent & Utilities
568 $
487 $
Food
243 $
302 $
Transport
93 $
204 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,724 $
1,695 $
Quality of Life
39
58
Population
1.3M
4.4M

Compare other cities?

Soweto Johannesburg

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
6.55 $ 9.91 $
Dinner, for 2 28 $ 40.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 4.09 $ 5.08 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.03 $ 2.31 $
Capuccino 2 $ 2.04 $
Coke, 330ml 1.01 $ 1.01 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.04 $ 1.21 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 0.99 $ 1 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.29 $ 1.44 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.68 $ 2.66 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.79 $ 10.3 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.33 $ 5.16 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.47 $ 6.49 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.63 $ 1.7 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.53 $ 1.62 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.48 $ 1.48 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.36 $ 1.4 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.32 $ 1.53 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.62 $ 0.62 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.23 $ 1.51 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 7.71 $ 6.14 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.52 $ 1.36 $
Cigarette pack 2.72 $ 3.19 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.22 $ 1.89 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 32.7 $ 81.8 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.23 $ 1.37 $
Taxi, 8 km 8.62 $ 10.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 22 $ 29.8 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.04 $ 6.05 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 2.59 $ 4.18 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.25 $ 2 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 0.52 $ 1.53 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
61.3 $ 72.2 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
92.8 $ 111 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
35.6 $ 44.3 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 368 $ 361 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 421 $ 657 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 883 $ 405 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 544 $ 781 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 917 $ 1,096 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 735 $ 753 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,724 $ 1,695 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 11.43 % 11.54 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 13.5 $ 33.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 6.19 $ 7.67 $
Haircut 3.15 $ 6.42 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 74.2 $ 91.2 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 50.1 $ 51.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 216 $ 241 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 4,830 $ 5,865 $