Cost of Living Comparison Between South Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo Cost of Living Comparison Between South Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo

🙂 Solo nomad: South Africa is 24.4% cheaper than Democratic Republic of the Congo without rent, and 21.2% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: South Africa is 29.7% cheaper than Democratic Republic of the Congo without rent, and 30.9% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.05 R 161
$9.94 CDF 28.5K
-8.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.84 R 691
$88.9 CDF 254.7K
-56.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.9 R 87.1
$10.14 CDF 29K
-51.68%
Cappuccino
$1.98 R 35.28
$5.31 CDF 15.2K
-62.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96 R 17.06
$1.64 CDF 4,687
-41.46%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 R 13.31
$1.36 CDF 3,908
-44.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.18 R 38.72
$2.04 CDF 5,851
6.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 R 45.1
$3.72 CDF 10.7K
-31.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.1 R 19.58
$2.16 CDF 6,193
-49.07%
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 R 18.32
$1.71 CDF 4,885
-39.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.56 R 27.71
$2.14 CDF 6,116
-27.10%
Eggs
$2.25 R 39.93
$3.35 CDF 9,596
-32.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.67 R 136
$6.22 CDF 17.8K
23.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.62 R 82.2
$6.17 CDF 17.7K
-25.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.86 R 122
$9.19 CDF 26.3K
-25.35%
Apples (1kg)
$1.58 R 28.02
$2.83 CDF 8,106
-44.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 R 25.3
$1.99 CDF 5,688
-28.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.44 R 25.58
$2.84 CDF 8,126
-49.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 R 26.5
$2.43 CDF 6,957
-38.68%
Potato (1kg)
$1.25 R 22.16
$2.43 CDF 6,947
-48.56%
Onion (1kg)
$1.34 R 23.81
$2.52 CDF 7,220
-46.83%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 R 19.31
$1.82 CDF 5,204
-40.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.96 R 17.15
$1.07 CDF 3,062
-10.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.9 R 51.6
$4.88 CDF 14K
-40.57%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.07 R 90.3
$14.9 CDF 42.7K
-65.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38 R 24.49
$1.64 CDF 4,684
-15.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 R 29.79
$2.95 CDF 8,439
-43.05%
🚌 Getting Around
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.71 R 30.47
$0.52 CDF 1,478
228.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.01 R 801
$14.95 CDF 42.8K
201.07%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.1 R 19.61
$5.06 CDF 14.5K
-78.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.09 R 19.41
$2.02 CDF 5,787
-46.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.8 R 85.3
$10.04 CDF 28.8K
-52.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 R 23.23
$1.39 CDF 3,985
-5.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21K R 374.2K
$19.7K CDF 56.5M
6.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7K R 421.3K
$21.2K CDF 60.7M
11.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$113 R 2,009
$213 CDF 609K
-46.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.11 R 589
$20.22 CDF 57.9K
63.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.49 R 738
$85.1 CDF 243.7K
-51.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.69 R 564
$52.3 CDF 149.6K
-39.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.45 R 168
$11.39 CDF 32.6K
-17.03%
Cinema Ticket
$6.7 R 119
$13.77 CDF 39.4K
-51.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$186 R 3,303
$346 CDF 989.4K
-46.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,336 R 77.1K
$2,834 CDF 8.1M
53.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.56 R 864
$32.91 CDF 94.2K
47.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.74 R 547
$39.6 CDF 113.4K
-22.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92 R 1,636
$71.9 CDF 206K
27.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.6 R 1,415
$100 CDF 287.3K
-20.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$442 R 7,860
$1,272 CDF 3.6M
-65.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$370 R 6,579
$362 CDF 1M
2.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$880 R 15.7K
$2,731 CDF 7.8M
-67.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$724 R 12.9K
$1,031 CDF 3M
-29.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,021 R 18.2K
$4,122 CDF 11.8M
-75.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$803 R 14.3K
$697 CDF 2M
15.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
South Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,406 R 25K
$592 CDF 1.7M
137.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.55
17
-32.06%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for South Africa: October 29, 2025

Last update for Democratic Republic of the Congo: October 29, 2025

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