Cost of living in Cape Town, South Africa

Summary of cost of living in Cape Town

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: R 37,244
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: R 19,681
  • Cape Town is the cheapest city in South Africa (4 out of 4)
  • Cost of living in Cape Town is cheaper than in 50% of cities in Africa (6 out of 12)
  • Cost of living in Cape Town is cheaper than in 76% of cities in the World (206 out of 271)

List of prices in Cape Town, South Africa. Current as of Feb 2020.

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district R 111
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) R 59
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast R 42
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk R 14
12 eggs, large R 35
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes R 20
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese R 57
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples R 22
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes R 17
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket R 17
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality R 90
2 liters of coca-cola R 20
Bread for 2 people for 1 day R 12
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area R 16,412
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area R 10,555
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat R 1,008
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area R 11,978
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area R 7,465
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio R 695
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) R 567
40” flat screen tv R 4,454
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) R 1,436
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) R 82
Hourly rate for cleaning help R 35
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) R 737
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) R 662
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) R 1,428
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes R 1,157
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new R 296,758
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas R 16
Monthly ticket public transport R 493
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) R 143
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) R 54
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) R 117
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) R 443
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) R 46
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) R 32
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) R 54
4 rolls of toilet paper R 23
Tube of toothpaste R 19
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city R 138
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub R 372
2 tickets to the movies R 172
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) R 661
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert R 510
1 cocktail drink in downtown club R 61
Cappuccino in expat area of the city R 30
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) R 33
Ipad wi-fi 128gb R 7,699
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) R 1.71
1 month of gym membership in business district R 529
1 package of marlboro cigarettes R 38
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 1,411 prices entered by 137 different people.
Latest price update: February 16, 2020

Moving to Cape Town with your children?

International Schools in Cape Town

Cape Town position in our World Ranking

the world
206th
out of 271
africa
6th
out of 12
south africa
4th
out of 4

Cheapest and most expensive products in Cape Town compared to other cities:

the world
1st
africa
1st
africa
1st
africa
1st
africa
1st
africa
2nd

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