💱 🇺🇸 USD vs 🇿🇦 ZAR
Is the US dollar strong against the South African rand?
No, weaker than a year ago: one dollar buys 6.1% less South African rand than it did twelve months ago, so costs priced in ZAR are dearer for you.
1 USD = 16.26 ZARweekly close, September 21, 2026
1 month+1.7%
6 months−4.9%
1 year−6.1%
2 years−9.6%
Plus means one dollar buys more South African rand than it did then (good for you); minus means it buys less.
What it means for living costs
One person, all-in (everyday costs plus a 1-bedroom city-centre rent), converted to USD at today's rate. A year ago the same life cost about 6% less in USD.
Planning a move?
Other views of the South African rand
Data last updated · Source: Frankfurter (ECB) where available, else fawazahmed0 currency-api; non-USD bases via USD cross-rates