South Africa and Nigeria are both developing countries so it’s safe to say they stand on the same ground in that aspect. However, pitting them against each other shows their distinct differences.

Taking our personal bias out of the picture – as locals from the rainbow nation – choosing which is better to live between the two options would depend on where your priorities lie.

If you’re looking for something cheaper to live in and have a better work-life balance, South Africa is a better choice than Nigeria. 

However, if you prefer a place with more employment opportunities and a relatively safer environment, Nigeria is the better pick.

If you’re wondering how we came to this conclusion, we’ll show you below as we compare the two countries with different factors in mind such as cost of living, real estate and more.

Cost of Living in South Africa vs Nigeria

In case you’re wondering how we were able to calculate the rates between the two, here’s a breakdown of common expenses in both countries, based on Numbeo’s data.

As you can see from the table above, there’s a big difference between South Africa and Nigeria for most expenses.

South Africa is generally cheaper with its lower consumer prices and rent, making it an ideal place to live in for middle-income families. 

But Nigeria has more affordable transportation fares and school tuition fees for children so choosing on where to stay between the two would depend on your priorities and family context.

Real Estate in South Africa vs Nigeria

When comparing the real estate prices of South Africa and Nigeria, the former is the better option since it’s relatively cheaper. The country has more housing options, especially for the middle-class sector.

The table below illustrates the price differences between the two for single-family homes and apartments for sale.

Diversity and Demographics in South Africa vs Nigeria

Although South Africa and Nigeria are both found in the African continent, there are still notable differences between them.

For one, South Africa is bigger in terms of land area but has a lesser number of inhabitants compared to Nigeria. Additionally, there is only a slight difference in the distribution of their population into male and female sexes.

You can learn more about this in detail by referring to the table below.

Age-wise, South Africa has a higher median age and life expectancy than Nigeria. However, Nigeria is more diverse in their racial composition, with most of its population divided into different ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, South Africa has four main racial groups. Refer to the table below for more details, sourced from Statista.

Career Opportunities in South Africa vs Nigeria

With a lower unemployment rate, Nigeria is a substantially better country to work in since there are more job opportunities. 

However, it’s important to note that South Africa (Why does South Africa have high unemployyment rate?) has a higher monthly net salary after tax than Nigeria. See the table below for more details.

When it comes to work-life balance, a survey among expats (How to get a job in South Africa as a foreigner) found that 60% of them are satisfied with their jobs in South Africa. In Nigeria, the satisfaction rate is only at 41%.

South Africa is a great choice if you prefer a better work-life balance. But if you want a country with more job openings, Nigeria is the ideal pick.

Crime Index in South Africa vs Nigeria

Arguably, the situation in Nigeria and South Africa (is South Africa safe to live in) are similar with generally high levels of crime in both countries. 

However, South Africa scored 34.75 on the Safety Scale while the Nigeria scored 24.70. A lower score indicates a higher perception of safety, which means people deem Nigeria as a safer place to live in.

Refer to the table below for a closer look at the different crimes rampant in both countries along with rates, as found by Numbeo. 

Lifestyle in South Africa vs Nigeria

To get a closer look at the different lifestyles offered by the two countries, we compared each city in detail with their weather, activities and health care below.

Weather in South Africa vs Nigeria

Although both South Africa and Nigeria are located on the same continent, they experience different kinds of climate conditions. The former has the typical four seasons, while the latter only has two: the wet and dry seasons.

If you’re wondering how that’s possible, it’s simply because of South Africa’s geographical location (Why does south africa have different climates?).

It’s in the middle of two big oceans: the Atlantic Ocean on the western side resulting in colder weather while the Indian Ocean is on the east, leading to warmer temperatures.

However, when comparing the two countries’ daily temperatures, they have only a few differences. Here’s a summary of typical temperatures based on World Data.

Things to Do in South Africa vs Nigeria

Both South Africa and Nigeria have beautiful tourist attractions like pristine beaches and lush mountains. However, South Africa has more to offer in terms of popular spots, beautiful landscapes, and activities.

According to World Data, South Africa boasted the third highest tourist arrivals in the continent in 2022 with an estimate of 6.8 million international tourists. 

It has various beautiful attractions, fit for any kind of traveller. If you’re thirsty for adventure, visiting the Kruger National Park or surfing at Coffee Bay Beach is a good idea.

But if you’re more into historical (What is south africas famous landmarks: Top # Most Famous Landmarks in South Africa) spots, you should visit the Union Buildings and the Cradle of Humankind.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has more underrated spots like Coconut Beach and the Obudu Ranch for people who want to go off the beaten path.

Healthcare in South Africa vs Nigeria

South Africa has a generally better private healthcare system index of 63.48 compared to Nigeria’s 48.59, having a 26.57% difference between the two.

Although they have near-similar private healthcare system indices, it’s safe to say that South Africa still has better healthcare based on data from Numbeo. Below are the different factors considered to calculate the final index score of both countries.

However, when it comes to public health care, both countries face significant issues.

South Africa’s biggest challenges are overcrowding and long wait times in public facilities. 

In Nigeria, the most pressing problem is the low ratio of doctors to patients with only 1 per 2,000 inhabitants. They also often complain of being overworked and underpaid.

South Africa vs Nigeria: How They Stack Up

Overall, each country has their own sets of strengths that make it stand above the other. That’s why picking between them is no easy feat.

It would solely depend on your preferences, especially in terms of lifestyle. On that note, here’s a quick review of everything we’ve discussed to help you see the better fit for you.