Cost of Living Comparison Between Western Sahara and South Africa Cost of Living Comparison Between Western Sahara and South Africa

Name: South Africa
Address: ZA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $122 per month in Western Sahara vs $1,143 in South Africa, rent included.

A couple spends around $178 per month in Western Sahara vs $1,781 in South Africa, rent included.

A family of three spends $233 per month in Western Sahara vs $2,419 in South Africa, rent included.

The cost of living in Western Sahara is roughly 89% lower than in South Africa on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Western Sahara and South Africa are more affordable than the global median – Western Sahara 91% lower, South Africa 17% lower.

The regional cost range is wider in Western Sahara ($122–$122) than in South Africa ($647–$1,815), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.32 MAD 40.61

$11.30 R 182

-61.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.51 R 717

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.42 MAD 32.12

$5.90 R 95.0

-42.03%

Cappuccino

$2.18 MAD 20.47

$2.44 R 39.22

-10.66%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.42 MAD 3.94

$1.16 R 18.64

-63.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 MAD 3.13

$0.96 R 15.39

-65.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.56 R 41.29

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 R 49.60

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 R 20.57

White Bread (500g)

$1.13 R 18.15

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.83 R 29.55

Eggs

$2.55 R 41.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.35 R 134

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.44 R 87.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.88 R 127

Apples (1kg)

$1.90 R 30.61

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 R 27.36

Oranges (1kg)

$1.81 R 29.14

Tomato (1kg)

$1.88 R 30.23

Potato (1kg)

$1.54 R 24.76

Onion (1kg)

$1.49 R 24.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.33 R 21.45

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 R 19.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.41 R 55.0

Wine (Bottle)

$5.08 R 81.7

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.51 R 24.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 R 32.64

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.72 MAD 6.78

$1.76 R 28.39

-59.09%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.1 R 1,016

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.77 MAD 7.20

$1.12 R 17.97

-31.25%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 MAD 7.25

$1.01 R 16.33

-23.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.07 R 130

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 MAD 12.81

$1.46 R 23.53

-6.85%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.8K R 592.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.5K R 523.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$136 R 2,185

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$35.72 R 575

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$21.12 MAD 199

$41.40 R 667

-48.99%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.96 R 563

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.46 R 201

Cinema Ticket

$7.62 R 123

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$231 R 3,725

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,726 R 92.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.56 MAD 456

$56.4 R 908

-13.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.91 R 546

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 R 1,639

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$93.0 R 1,497

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$506 R 8,154

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$418 R 6,727

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$979 R 15.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$838 R 13.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,151 R 18.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$800 R 12.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,554 R 25.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.24

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Western Sahara: September 6, 2026

Last update for South Africa: September 8, 2026

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

Western Sahara vs South Africa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Western Sahara is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 909% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

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.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Western Sahara, contributing to the overall 909% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Western Sahara, but in South Africa it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Western Sahara 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.