Cost of Living Comparison Between Sudan and South Africa Cost of Living Comparison Between Sudan and South Africa

Monthly Cost of Living

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
$2.97 SDG 1,775
$11.22 R 182
-73.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.36 SDG 8,598
$42.86 R 697
-66.50%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.58 SDG 1,546
$5.77 R 93.8
-55.29%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.05 SDG 1,224
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 SDG 1,173
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.59 SDG 1,551
$2.41 R 39.22
7.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 SDG 309
$1.19 R 19.41
-56.30%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 SDG 336
$0.87 R 14.22
-35.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.40 R 39.06
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.99 R 48.66
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 SDG 686
$1.25 R 20.32
-8.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.10 SDG 657
$1.10 R 17.83
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.06 SDG 636
$1.77 R 28.72
-40.11%
Eggs
$2.82 SDG 1,687
$2.51 R 40.82
12.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.80 SDG 4,068
$8.46 R 138
-19.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.23 SDG 4,926
$5.41 R 88.0
52.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.41 SDG 8,624
$7.94 R 129
81.49%
Apples (1kg)
$4.28 SDG 2,561
$1.82 R 29.55
135.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.60 SDG 961
$1.69 R 27.40
-5.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.53 SDG 915
$1.73 R 28.14
-11.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.32 SDG 1,984
$1.77 R 28.78
87.57%
Potato (1kg)
$1.82 SDG 1,088
$1.47 R 23.90
23.81%
Onion (1kg)
$1.05 SDG 627
$1.46 R 23.82
-28.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.70 SDG 420
$1.25 R 20.40
-44.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 SDG 320
$1.16 R 18.81
-54.31%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.95 SDG 2,366
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 SDG 501
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 SDG 1,000
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.77 SDG 1,059
$3.31 R 53.9
-46.53%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$4.88 R 79.3
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.53 R 24.84
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.05 R 33.29
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.50 SDG 301
$1.69 R 27.42
-70.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$62.8 R 1,020
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.80 SDG 2,275
$1.08 R 17.51
251.85%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.94 R 15.35
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.93 SDG 2,953
$7.90 R 128
-37.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 SDG 792
$1.43 R 23.21
-7.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$5,070 SDG 3.0M
$36.6K R 595.3K
-86.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$10.1K SDG 6.0M
$31.1K R 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)
$70.5 SDG 42.2K
$131 R 2,132
-46.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.73 SDG 5,827
$35.38 R 575
-72.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.42 SDG 17.6K
$41.24 R 671
-28.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$7.97 SDG 4,773
$34.46 R 560
-76.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.85 R 193
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.91 SDG 2,342
$7.58 R 123
-48.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$85.5 SDG 51.2K
$231 R 3,764
-63.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,946 SDG 1.2M
$5,534 R 90.0K
-64.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.0 R 895
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.59 SDG 5,140
$33.73 R 548
-74.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$100 R 1,631
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$91.5 R 1,487
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$640 SDG 383.1K
$501 R 8,151
27.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$220 SDG 131.7K
$418 R 6,805
-47.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,373 SDG 821.9K
$955 R 15.5K
43.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 SDG 371.0K
$826 R 13.4K
-24.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,519 SDG 909.2K
$1,158 R 18.8K
31.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,079 SDG 645.7K
$788 R 12.8K
36.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$214 SDG 127.9K
$1,542 R 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.

Sudan vs other spots: cost of living compared

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