South Africa

Compared with Malaysia, using real observed prices.

Baseline: Malaysia = 1×

South Africa vs

Malaysia

Overall verdict

South Africa is about 1.60× Malaysia.

Average across 4 categories, 5 items with data

The shape of prices (vs Malaysia = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is Malaysia. A bar running right means South Africa 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

Malaysia Malaysia = 1×

South Africa is pricier →

⚡ Utilities 1 item

×4.18
⛽ Transport 2 items

×1.77
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×0.99
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×0.89

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

In South Africa, Electricity 1kWh (household) costs 4.2× what it does in Malaysia — but PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) costs only 0.9×. What is expensive here is energy, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×4.18

South Africa MYR 0.84 USD 0.209

Malaysia MYR 0.20 USD 0.05

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×1.86

South Africa MYR 6.38 USD 1.559

Malaysia MYR 3.42 USD 0.836

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel 1L 1 L ×1.68

South Africa MYR 6.84 USD 1.67

Malaysia MYR 4.07 USD 0.995

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Big Mac 1 burger ×0.99

South Africa MYR 13.62 ZAR 54.9

Malaysia MYR 13.75 MYR 13.75

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×0.89

South Africa MYR 194.27 ZAR 799

Malaysia MYR 219.00 MYR 219

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store