Johannesburg vs Cairo Cost of Living

Johannesburg (South Africa) · Overall index 29.9Cairo (Egypt) · Overall index 19.8

Summary

  • Overall, Cairo is 34% cheaper than Johannesburg.
  • Rent in Cairo is 45% cheaper than in Johannesburg.
  • Transport in Cairo is 42% cheaper than in Johannesburg.
ItemJohannesburgCairoDiff
Rent-45%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$575$280-51%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$334$221-34%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,156$613-47%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$689$376-45%
Groceries-33%
Milk (1L)$0.59$0.41-31%
White bread (500g)$1.7$1.11-35%
Rice (1kg)$2.08$1.36-35%
Eggs (12)$2.05$1.44-30%
Local cheese (1kg)$5.54$3.69-33%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$5.16$3.49-32%
Beef round (1kg)$8.21$5.77-30%
Apples (1kg)$2.41$1.44-40%
Bananas (1kg)$0.92$0.53-42%
Oranges (1kg)$1.97$1.24-37%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.22$1.62-27%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.21$0.86-29%
Onions (1kg)$1.31$0.77-41%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.01$0.76-25%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.04$0.73-30%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$6.75$4.67-31%
Transport-42%
Public transport, one-way ticket$0.81$0.5-38%
Public transport, monthly pass$41.5$25-40%
Taxi, base fare$1.34$0.85-37%
Taxi, per km$0.62$0.38-39%
Gasoline (1L)$0.35$0.19-46%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$10,194$5,001-51%
Dining out-35%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$8.84$4.94-44%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$39.7$29.7-25%
Fast food combo meal$4.59$2.86-38%
Cappuccino$2.06$1.34-35%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$0.83$0.65-22%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$2.38$1.51-37%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$2.81$1.73-38%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.78$0.52-33%
Telecom-23%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$28.5$24.5-14%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$29.2$22.8-22%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.17$0.13-24%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.09$5.67-30%
Utilities & household-32%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$69.4$47.7-31%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.1$0.06-40%
Tap water (1m³)$1.99$1.21-39%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.6$0.44-27%
Waste collection (monthly)$9.8$5.67-42%
Fitness club (monthly)$35.4$25.3-29%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$5.71$4.67-18%
Men's haircut$12$8.23-31%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$9.85$7.37-25%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$812$560-31%

3,095 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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