China

Compared with South Africa, using real observed prices.

Baseline: South Africa = 1×

China vs

South Africa

Overall verdict

China is about 0.71× South Africa.

Average across 4 categories, 7 items with data

The shape of prices (vs South Africa = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is South Africa. A bar running right means China is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

South Africa South Africa = 1×

China is pricier →

🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×1.09
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×0.92
⛽ Transport 2 items

×0.69
⚡ Utilities 1 item

×0.36

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In China, Big Mac costs 1.1× what it does in South Africa — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.4×. What is expensive here is labour, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Big Mac 1 burger ×1.09

China ZAR 59.88 CNY 25.5

South Africa ZAR 54.90 ZAR 54.9

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×0.92

China ZAR 738.86 CNY 298

South Africa ZAR 799.00 ZAR 799

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×0.76

China ZAR 19.38 USD 1.179

South Africa ZAR 25.62 USD 1.559

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel 1L 1 L ×0.63

China ZAR 17.17 USD 1.045

South Africa ZAR 27.44 USD 1.67

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.36

China ZAR 1.28 USD 0.076

South Africa ZAR 3.51 USD 0.209

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com