🙂A single person spends $256 per month in Sudan vs $1,020 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $425 per month in Sudan vs $1,598 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $594 per month in Sudan vs $2,175 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂Sudan is roughly 75% cheaper than 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 – Sudan81% lower, South Africa24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.48SDG 4,478
$9.05R 147
-17.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.83SDG 20.2K
$39.48R 642
-14.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83SDG 4,690
$4.94R 80.3
58.50%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02SDG 1,208
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43SDG 2,052
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.40SDG 1,438
$2.06R 33.47
16.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62SDG 373
$0.95R 15.40
-34.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44SDG 262
$0.81R 13.13
-45.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21R 35.90
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.48R 40.33
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54SDG 922
$1.11R 18.07
38.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.19SDG 712
$1.02R 16.64
16.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.91SDG 1,741
$1.56R 25.28
86.54%
Eggs
$3.01SDG 1,804
$2.34R 38.05
28.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.66SDG 7,577
$7.73R 126
63.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.56SDG 4,525
$4.49R 73.1
68.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.19SDG 4,901
$6.73R 109
21.69%
Apples(1kg)
$4.87SDG 2,914
$1.56R 25.40
212.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49SDG 894
$1.43R 23.22
4.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.33SDG 1,395
$1.44R 23.48
61.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03SDG 1,216
$1.51R 24.55
34.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.62SDG 970
$1.22R 19.81
32.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19SDG 711
$1.28R 20.74
-7.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.04R 16.89
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61SDG 364
$0.94R 15.21
-35.11%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$3.98SDG 2,385
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06SDG 2,429
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.48SDG 883
$2.99R 48.55
-50.50%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$5.16R 83.8
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.39R 22.55
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.66R 26.93
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48SDG 285
$1.63R 26.48
-70.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.82SDG 14.9K
$45.05R 732
-44.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.75SDG 1,647
$1.13R 18.41
143.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02SDG 612
$1.10R 17.93
-7.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.85SDG 5,898
$4.86R 78.9
102.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31SDG 785
$1.24R 20.15
5.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$20.3KR 330.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.5KSDG 10.5M
$23.5KR 381.4K
-25.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$52.6SDG 31.5K
$113R 1,843
-53.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45SDG 5,654
$32.36R 526
-70.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.2SDG 42.6K
$41.45R 674
71.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$33.01SDG 19.8K
$31.59R 513
4.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.61R 156
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10SDG 2,454
$6.83R 111
-39.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$62.6SDG 37.4K
$187R 3,039
-66.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,858SDG 1.1M
$4,362R 70.9K
-57.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.88SDG 8,906
$49.50R 804
-69.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$30.42R 494
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$56.1SDG 33.6K
$91.7R 1,489
-38.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.8SDG 31.0K
$78.9R 1,281
-34.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$688SDG 411.5K
$442R 7,175
55.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$344SDG 206.0K
$367R 5,963
-6.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,322SDG 791.6K
$884R 14.4K
49.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$630SDG 377.1K
$723R 11.8K
-12.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,355SDG 811.2K
$1,090R 17.7K
24.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,054SDG 630.7K
$780R 12.7K
35.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198SDG 118.4K
$1,558R 25.3K
-87.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
26
11.55
125.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sudan: June 1, 2026
Last update for South Africa: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $232 in Sudan vs $368 in South Africa. For reference, capital cities sit at $628 in Khartoum and $765 in Cape Town.
💰Average salary: $201 in Sudan vs $1,520 in South Africa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 59% higher in South Africa.
⭐Dining out costs 483% more in South Africa.
⭐Public transport is 300% more expensive in South Africa.
⭐Salaries are 656% higher in South Africa, giving South Africa stronger purchasing power.
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 140% 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 140% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,200 a realistic budget in South Africa or 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 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.