🙂A single person spends $193 per month in Sudan vs $1,137 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $309 per month in Sudan vs $1,773 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $424 per month in Sudan vs $2,408 in South Africa, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Sudan is roughly 83% lower than in South Africa on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Sudan and South Africa are more affordable than the global median – Sudan 86% lower, South Africa 17% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.97SDG 1,775
$11.22R 182
-73.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.36SDG 8,598
$42.86R 697
-66.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.58SDG 1,546
$5.77R 93.8
-55.29%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.05SDG 1,224
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96SDG 1,173
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.59SDG 1,551
$2.41R 39.22
7.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52SDG 309
$1.19R 19.41
-56.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56SDG 336
$0.87R 14.22
-35.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.40R 39.06
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.99R 48.66
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15SDG 686
$1.25R 20.32
-8.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10SDG 657
$1.10R 17.83
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.06SDG 636
$1.77R 28.72
-40.11%
Eggs
$2.82SDG 1,687
$2.51R 40.82
12.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.80SDG 4,068
$8.46R 138
-19.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.23SDG 4,926
$5.41R 88.0
52.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.41SDG 8,624
$7.94R 129
81.49%
Apples(1kg)
$4.28SDG 2,561
$1.82R 29.55
135.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60SDG 961
$1.69R 27.40
-5.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53SDG 915
$1.73R 28.14
-11.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.32SDG 1,984
$1.77R 28.78
87.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.82SDG 1,088
$1.47R 23.90
23.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.05SDG 627
$1.46R 23.82
-28.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70SDG 420
$1.25R 20.40
-44.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53SDG 320
$1.16R 18.81
-54.31%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$3.95SDG 2,366
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84SDG 501
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67SDG 1,000
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.77SDG 1,059
$3.31R 53.9
-46.53%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$4.88R 79.3
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.53R 24.84
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.05R 33.29
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.50SDG 301
$1.69R 27.42
-70.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$62.8R 1,020
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.80SDG 2,275
$1.08R 17.51
251.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.94R 15.35
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.93SDG 2,953
$7.90R 128
-37.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32SDG 792
$1.43R 23.21
-7.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$5,070SDG 3.0M
$36.6KR 595.3K
-86.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$10.1KSDG 6.0M
$31.1KR 506.0K
-67.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5SDG 42.2K
$131R 2,132
-46.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.73SDG 5,827
$35.38R 575
-72.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.42SDG 17.6K
$41.24R 671
-28.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$7.97SDG 4,773
$34.46R 560
-76.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.85R 193
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.91SDG 2,342
$7.58R 123
-48.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$85.5SDG 51.2K
$231R 3,764
-63.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,946SDG 1.2M
$5,534R 90.0K
-64.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.0R 895
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.59SDG 5,140
$33.73R 548
-74.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$100R 1,631
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$91.5R 1,487
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$640SDG 383.1K
$501R 8,151
27.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$220SDG 131.7K
$418R 6,805
-47.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,373SDG 821.9K
$955R 15.5K
43.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$620SDG 371.0K
$826R 13.4K
-24.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,519SDG 909.2K
$1,158R 18.8K
31.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,079SDG 645.7K
$788R 12.8K
36.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$214SDG 127.9K
$1,542R 25.1K
-86.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
30
11.24
166.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sudan: September 15, 2026
Last update for South Africa: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $223 in Sudan vs $444 in South Africa. For reference, capital cities sit at $592 in Khartoum and $320 in Bloemfontein.
💰Average salary: $218 in Sudan vs $1,543 in South Africa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 99% higher in South Africa.
⭐Dining out costs 1900% more in South Africa.
⭐Salaries are 608% 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
Sudan vs South Africa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Africa more expensive than Sudan?
Sudan is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 275% 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 Sudan, contributing to the overall 275% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,200 a realistic budget in South Africa or in Sudan?
$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Sudan, 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 Sudan?
Sudan 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.