South Africa

Compared with United States, using real observed prices.

Baseline: United States = 1×

South Africa vs

United States

Overall verdict

South Africa is about 0.89× United States.

Average across 4 categories, 5 items with data

The shape of prices (vs United States = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is United States. 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

United States United States = 1×

South Africa is pricier →

⛽ Transport 2 items

×1.29
⚡ Utilities 1 item

×1.11
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×0.79
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×0.55

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

In South Africa, Gasoline 1L costs 1.4× what it does in United States — but Big Mac costs only 0.5×. What is expensive here is energy, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Gasoline 1L 1 L ×1.36

South Africa $1.56 USD 1.559

United States $1.15 USD 1.146

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel 1L 1 L ×1.23

South Africa $1.67 USD 1.67

United States $1.36 USD 1.356

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×1.11

South Africa $0.21 USD 0.209

United States $0.19 USD 0.188

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×0.79

South Africa $47.49 ZAR 799

United States $59.99 USD 59.99

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Big Mac 1 burger ×0.55

South Africa $3.36 ZAR 54.9

United States $6.12 USD 6.12

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index