🙂A single person spends $254 per month in Sudan vs $1,020 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $425 per month in Sudan vs $1,587 in South Africa, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $595 per month in Sudan vs $2,154 in South Africa, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Sudan is roughly 75% 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 81% lower, South Africa 24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.45SDG 4,459
$9.14R 150
-18.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.23SDG 19.9K
$39.14R 643
-15.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.07SDG 4,830
$5.19R 85.3
55.49%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.04SDG 1,222
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38SDG 2,021
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.37SDG 1,418
$1.98R 32.50
19.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58SDG 348
$1.00R 16.45
-42.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44SDG 263
$0.79R 12.92
-44.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21R 36.36
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.57R 42.28
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56SDG 937
$1.12R 18.43
39.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26SDG 751
$0.97R 15.90
29.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.93SDG 1,756
$1.54R 25.37
90.26%
Eggs
$3.02SDG 1,805
$2.25R 36.96
34.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.28SDG 7,351
$7.86R 129
56.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.64SDG 4,575
$4.58R 75.3
66.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.97SDG 4,768
$6.68R 110
19.31%
Apples(1kg)
$4.87SDG 2,918
$1.57R 25.88
210.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51SDG 902
$1.47R 24.18
2.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29SDG 1,369
$1.52R 25.00
50.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97SDG 1,178
$1.51R 24.81
30.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.56SDG 931
$1.26R 20.71
23.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19SDG 713
$1.27R 20.96
-6.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.09R 17.86
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61SDG 367
$0.97R 15.93
-37.11%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$3.98SDG 2,384
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04SDG 2,419
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.48SDG 884
$2.84R 46.62
-47.89%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$5.20R 85.5
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.38R 22.74
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.72R 28.24
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.44SDG 264
$1.72R 28.30
-74.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.65SDG 14.8K
$44.22R 727
-44.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.78SDG 1,663
$1.15R 18.93
141.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.99SDG 592
$1.07R 17.51
-7.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.85SDG 5,894
$4.74R 77.8
107.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30SDG 776
$1.28R 21.09
1.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$20.4KR 334.8K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.9KSDG 10.7M
$24.0KR 394.3K
-25.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.7SDG 30.4K
$113R 1,856
-55.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.34SDG 5,590
$32.35R 532
-71.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.3SDG 42.6K
$41.46R 682
71.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$33.66SDG 20.1K
$31.04R 510
8.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.72R 160
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.88SDG 2,324
$6.67R 110
-41.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$62.6SDG 37.5K
$186R 3,051
-66.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,871SDG 1.1M
$4,399R 72.3K
-57.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.87SDG 8,900
$50.2R 824
-70.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$30.37R 499
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$55.0SDG 32.9K
$93.4R 1,535
-41.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.5SDG 31.4K
$80.4R 1,322
-34.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$685SDG 410.0K
$439R 7,210
56.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$340SDG 203.6K
$372R 6,112
-8.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,339SDG 801.5K
$903R 14.8K
48.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$634SDG 379.7K
$705R 11.6K
-10.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,368SDG 818.7K
$1,116R 18.3K
22.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,079SDG 645.8K
$793R 13.0K
36.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sudan
South Africa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198SDG 118.5K
$1,506R 24.8K
-86.85%
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: July 11, 2026
Last update for South Africa: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $229 in Sudan vs $368 in South Africa. For reference, capital cities sit at $636 in Khartoum and $292 in Bloemfontein.
💰Average salary: $201 in Sudan vs $1,513 in South Africa. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 61% higher in South Africa.
⭐Dining out costs 483% more in South Africa.
⭐Public transport is 300% more expensive in South Africa.
⭐Salaries are 653% 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 144% 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 144% 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.