😐A single person spends $1,020 per month in South Africa vs $590 in Togo, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,587 per month in South Africa vs $875 in Togo, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,154 per month in South Africa vs $1,160 in Togo, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in South Africa is about 73% higher than in Togo on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both South Africa and Togo are more affordable than the global median – South Africa 24% lower, Togo 56% lower.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Togo ($131–$1,049) than in South Africa ($803–$1,362), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.14R 151
$2.15F CFA 1,231
325.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.14R 648
$31.15F CFA 17.9K
25.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.19R 85.9
$5.38F CFA 3,085
-3.53%
Cappuccino
$1.98R 32.73
$5.72F CFA 3,280
-65.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00R 16.57
$3.33F CFA 1,911
-69.97%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79R 13.01
$1.06F CFA 607
-25.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21R 36.61
$0.86F CFA 495
156.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57R 42.58
$1.81F CFA 1,037
41.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12R 18.56
$2.37F CFA 1,360
-52.74%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97R 16.01
$1.21F CFA 694
-19.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54R 25.55
$1.85F CFA 1,060
-16.76%
Eggs
$2.25R 37.22
$2.07F CFA 1,188
8.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.86R 130
$13.88F CFA 7,958
-43.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.58R 75.8
$8.52F CFA 4,884
-46.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.68R 111
$8.99F CFA 5,154
-25.70%
Apples(1kg)
$1.57R 26.06
$2.63F CFA 1,511
-40.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47R 24.35
$1.44F CFA 828
2.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52R 25.18
$2.69F CFA 1,545
-43.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.51R 24.98
$2.57F CFA 1,474
-41.25%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26R 20.85
$1.79F CFA 1,025
-29.61%
Onion(1kg)
$1.27R 21.11
$1.69F CFA 971
-24.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09R 17.99
$0.51F CFA 292
113.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97R 16.04
$0.84F CFA 483
15.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.84R 46.95
$1.44F CFA 824
97.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.20R 86.1
$4.69F CFA 2,689
10.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38R 22.91
$1.38F CFA 790
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72R 28.44
$1.55F CFA 890
10.97%
🚌 Getting Around
South Africa
Togo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72R 28.50
$0.36F CFA 207
377.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.22R 732
$52.8F CFA 30.3K
-16.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15R 19.06
$2.13F CFA 1,223
-46.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.07R 17.64
$0.73F CFA 419
46.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.74R 78.4
$5.41F CFA 3,105
-12.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28R 21.24
$1.24F CFA 710
3.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4KR 337.1K
$14.0KF CFA 8.0M
45.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0KR 397.0K
$25.6KF CFA 14.7M
-6.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$113R 1,869
$175F CFA 100.1K
-35.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.35R 536
$22.30F CFA 12.8K
45.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.46R 686
$44.40F CFA 25.5K
-6.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.04R 514
$49.52F CFA 28.4K
-37.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.72R 161
$9.05F CFA 5,192
7.40%
Cinema Ticket
$6.67R 110
$4.37F CFA 2,509
52.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$186R 3,072
$179F CFA 102.6K
3.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,399R 72.8K
$5,253F CFA 3.0M
-16.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.2R 830
$24.85F CFA 14.3K
101.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.37R 503
$27.61F CFA 15.8K
10.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.4R 1,546
$40.67F CFA 23.3K
129.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.4R 1,332
$95.2F CFA 54.6K
-15.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
South Africa
Togo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$439R 7,261
$407F CFA 233.5K
7.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$372R 6,155
$197F CFA 112.7K
89.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$903R 14.9K
$596F CFA 341.7K
51.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$705R 11.7K
$313F CFA 179.4K
125.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,116R 18.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$793R 13.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,506R 24.9K
$265F CFA 152.2K
467.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.55
8
44.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for South Africa: July 13, 2026
Last update for Togo: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $368 in South Africa vs $314 in Togo. For reference, capital cities sit at $292 in Bloemfontein and $363 in Lome.
💰Average salary: $1,513 in South Africa vs $261 in Togo. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 17% higher in South Africa.
⭐Dining out costs 119% more in South Africa.
⭐Public transport is 69% more expensive in Togo.
⭐Salaries are 480% higher in South Africa, and purchasing power comes out stronger in South Africa.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
South Africa vs Togo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Africa more expensive than Togo?
Togo is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 83% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in South Africa, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but South Africa consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Togo, contributing to the overall 83% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in South Africa or in Togo?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Togo, but in South Africa it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to South Africa or to Togo?
Togo is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.
South Africa vs other spots: cost of living compared