How the cost of living comparator works
Last updated 10 November 2026
A higher salary in a new city can be wiped out by higher rent, transport or school costs. Putting both sets of costs side by side shows what is really left.
How it works
- Total costs are added up for each place.
- Left each month = take-home pay minus costs, for each place.
- The difference between the two is the headline.
Worked example
With the starting figures:
- The example costs R 28 300 a month now and R 31 900 in the new place.
- That changes what is left each month by −R 3 600.
Why salary alone is not enough
A higher salary in a new city can disappear into higher rent, transport, school fees or medical costs. A move can also lower your costs while your pay stays the same. The comparator puts your costs in both places side by side so you see what is actually left each month.
What to compare
- Rent or bond instalment and rates
- Electricity, water and internet
- Groceries and eating out
- Transport, including fuel, tolls, e-hailing and parking
- School fees and aftercare
- Medical aid and insurance
How the comparison works
Enter your costs where you are now and your estimate for the new place. The tool adds up each list, subtracts them from your take-home pay and shows what is left each month in both places. The difference between the two is the headline figure. A table shows which costs changed the most.
Count the cost of moving
The result is a monthly comparison. It does not include the cost of the move itself. Add deposits, a removal truck, travel and a few months of overlapping costs when you plan. These once-off amounts can take a long time to recover if the monthly gain is small.
Where the starting amounts come from
The figures shown when the page opens are examples, not average prices for any city. Replace them with real quotes, listings and shop prices. Use take-home pay and not gross pay, and check whether tax or medical aid deductions change with a new employer.
Things to watch
- Count the cost of moving itself, such as deposits, removal and travel.
- Use take-home pay, not gross.
- Tax and medical aid costs can differ with the employer.
For the pay side, use the take-home pay calculator. Read the full disclaimer.
Like every tool on MoneyMzansi, this one runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent or stored, so download your data if you want to keep it.