😐A single person spends $1,137 per month in South Africa vs $357 in Togo, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,773 per month in South Africa vs $632 in Togo, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,408 per month in South Africa vs $907 in Togo, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in South Africa is about 218% 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 17% lower, Togo 74% lower.
📏The regional cost range is wider in South Africa ($633–$1,817) than in Togo ($135–$578), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.22R 182
$2.94F CFA 1,667
281.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.86R 697
$31.14F CFA 17.7K
37.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.77R 93.8
$5.77F CFA 3,277
-
Cappuccino
$2.41R 39.24
$5.85F CFA 3,324
-58.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19R 19.41
$4.26F CFA 2,421
-72.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87R 14.22
$0.72F CFA 407
20.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.40R 39.08
$0.99F CFA 565
142.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99R 48.68
$1.72F CFA 976
73.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25R 20.33
$2.32F CFA 1,316
-46.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10R 17.84
$1.22F CFA 695
-9.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.77R 28.73
$1.47F CFA 835
20.41%
Eggs
$2.51R 40.84
$2.09F CFA 1,187
20.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.46R 138
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.41R 88.0
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.94R 129
$5.86F CFA 3,331
35.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82R 29.56
$3.03F CFA 1,719
-39.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.69R 27.41
$1.79F CFA 1,016
-5.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73R 28.15
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.77R 28.79
$2.71F CFA 1,539
-34.69%
Potato(1kg)
$1.47R 23.91
$1.81F CFA 1,028
-18.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.46R 23.83
$1.25F CFA 709
16.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25R 20.41
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16R 18.82
$0.90F CFA 511
28.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.31R 53.9
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$4.88R 79.3
$4.76F CFA 2,705
2.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.53R 24.85
$1.16F CFA 661
31.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05R 33.30
$1.51F CFA 858
35.76%
🚌 Getting Around
South Africa
Togo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.69R 27.43
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$62.8R 1,021
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08R 17.52
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.94R 15.35
$1.24F CFA 706
-24.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.90R 128
$4.57F CFA 2,594
72.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43R 23.22
$1.24F CFA 706
15.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.6KR 595.6K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1KR 506.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$131R 2,133
$148F CFA 84.3K
-11.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.38R 576
$21.82F CFA 12.4K
62.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.24R 671
$43.63F CFA 24.8K
-5.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.46R 561
$61.3F CFA 34.8K
-43.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.85R 193
$8.67F CFA 4,927
36.68%
Cinema Ticket
$7.58R 123
$4.38F CFA 2,488
73.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$231R 3,766
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,534R 90.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.0R 895
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.73R 549
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100R 1,631
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.5R 1,488
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
South Africa
Togo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$501R 8,154
$263F CFA 149.3K
90.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$418R 6,807
$123F CFA 69.8K
240.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$955R 15.5K
$1,034F CFA 587.0K
-7.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$826R 13.4K
$345F CFA 196.1K
139.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,158R 18.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$788R 12.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
South Africa
Togo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,542R 25.1K
$303F CFA 171.9K
409.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.24
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for South Africa: September 13, 2026
Last update for Togo: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Average salary: $1,543 in South Africa vs $307 in Togo. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 236% higher in South Africa.
⭐Dining out costs 150% more in South Africa.
⭐Salaries are 403% 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 244% 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 244% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $800 a realistic budget in South Africa or in Togo?
$800 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