Mauritius vs South Africa
South Africa costs roughly 19% less than Mauritius, though Mauritius scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
South Africa is approximately 19% less expensive than Mauritius based on cost of living including rent. This makes South Africa a more expensive option for expats considering a move.
Mauritius has a FIRE Score of 96/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 62.4, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Mauritius is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Mauritius
A clear pathway to permanent residency and citizenship exists here, with clear citizenship access down the line. Retirees clearing $24,000/mo transferred income and remote workers hitting $1,500/mo should look past that ceiling given rent as low as $314.16/mo outside the center and a flat 15% income tax. High expat friendliness (8/10) and common English-speaking doctors round out a low-cost, low-friction base.
$1,955/mo
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About South Africa
Safety is the dealbreaker: a 25.3 safety index puts South Africa firmly in caution territory, with the advisory level of 2 underscoring that. Retirees on fixed budgets should look past this for the math: $2,050/mo qualifies for the retirement visa, while rent runs under $500/mo in city centers. Low cost, low safety, weigh accordingly.
$1,873/mo
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| Metric | Mauritius | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 138.9 | 152.4 +13.5 |
| Healthcare Index | 60.1 | 63.8 +3.7 |
| Safety Index | 62.4 +37.1 | 25.3 |
| Cost of Living Index | 35.6 | 30 +5.6 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $585.7 +59.3 | $645 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,167.1 +132.5 | $2,299.6 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $459.59 +22.07 | $481.66 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $314.16 +75.31 | $389.47 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $836.8 +137.35 | $974.15 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $645.73 +111.67 | $757.4 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 95.72 Mbps +47.4 | 48.31 Mbps |
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Mauritius and South Africa, side by side.
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