South Africa vs São Tomé and Príncipe
South Africa costs roughly 7% less than São Tomé and Príncipe, though São Tomé and Príncipe scores higher on safety. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
South Africa is approximately 7% less expensive than São Tomé and Príncipe based on cost of living including rent. This makes South Africa a more expensive option for expats considering a move.
São Tomé and Príncipe has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 64.8, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: São Tomé and Príncipe is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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
Not sure which South Africa visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé
About São Tomé and Príncipe
This microstate suits off-grid remote workers who can tolerate spotty internet and near-zero English support. A single person lives on $719/month excluding rent, with a city-center 1BR at just $270. There is no digital nomad visa and no retirement visa, so anyone staying long-term is working outside a defined legal framework, a real liability given the progressive income tax rate that reaches 25%.
$2,011/mo
Not sure which São Tomé and Príncipe visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | South Africa | São Tomé and Príncipe |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | N/A |
| Quality of Life Index | 152.4 +75.9 | 76.5 |
| Healthcare Index | 63.8 +15.1 | 48.7 |
| Safety Index | 25.3 | 64.8 +39.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 30 +2.0 | 32 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $645 +74 | $719 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,299.6 | $1,970 +329.6 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $481.66 | $270 +211.66 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $389.47 | $187 +202.47 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $974.15 | $603 +371.15 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $757.4 | $469 +288.4 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 48.31 Mbps +48.3 | 0 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in São Tomé and Príncipe. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to São Tomé and Príncipe. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
Get a quote →Explore São Tomé and Príncipe
Popular Comparisons
Cities
Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.