Cost of living in Brisbane (Australia) is 87% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 661 prices entered by 66 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 87% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Brisbane (Australia) is 87% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$24 (R 275) | R 104 | + 164% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$15 (R 178) | R 89 | + 101% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 (R 84) | R 67 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.80 (R 21) | R 18 | + 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$5.69 (R 66) | R 54 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$5.90 (R 68) | R 28 | + 143% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$7 (R 80) | R 81 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.64 (R 53) | R 27 | + 99% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.66 (R 42) | R 31 | + 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$7 (R 77) | R 28 | + 179% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$22 (R 250) | R 141 | + 77% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.79 (R 44) | R 28 | + 55% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.23 (R 26) | R 16 | + 65% | |
| Housing | + 94% | |||
| Housing in Brisbane (Australia) is 94% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$4,364 (R 50,288) | R 21,036 | + 139% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$3,301 (R 38,038) | R 15,092 | + 152% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$207 (R 2,384) | R 2,135 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$3,111 (R 35,851) | R 20,215 | + 77% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,756 (R 20,234) | R 11,139 | + 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$158 (R 1,824) | R 773 | + 136% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$67 (R 770) | R 629 | + 22% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$570 (R 6,566) | R 6,033 | + 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$266 (R 3,061) | R 1,892 | + 62% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$13 (R 154) | R 119 | + 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$41 (R 472) | R 133 | + 253% | |
| Clothes | + 43% | |||
| Clothes in Brisbane (Australia) is 43% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$138 (R 1,595) | R 883 | + 81% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$86 (R 987) | R 790 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$177 (R 2,039) | R 1,851 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$214 (R 2,467) | R 1,334 | + 85% | |
| Transportation | + 55% | |||
| Transportation in Brisbane (Australia) is 55% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$34,588 (R 398,543) | R 439,141 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.99 (R 23) | R 23 | + 1% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$109 (R 1,252) | R 644 | + 94% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$30 (R 343) | R 135 | + 155% | |
| Personal Care | + 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Brisbane (Australia) is 41% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$10 (R 110) | R 66 | + 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$20 (R 231) | R 184 | + 26% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$81 (R 939) | R 729 | + 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 (R 83) | R 56 | + 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.45 (R 51) | R 40 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$6 (R 71) | R 58 | + 21% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$4.54 (R 52) | R 39 | + 35% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$4.60 (R 53) | R 27 | + 93% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$38 (R 435) | R 189 | + 130% | |
| Entertainment | + 172% | |||
| Entertainment in Brisbane (Australia) is 172% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$76 (R 875) | R 378 | + 131% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$41 (R 473) | R 220 | + 115% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$325 (R 3,748) | R 1,050 | + 257% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$159 (R 1,829) | R 722 | + 153% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$21 (R 244) | R 84 | + 192% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.46 (R 63) | R 43 | + 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$12 (R 134) | R 42 | + 220% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$820 (R 9,446) | R 9,948 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.92 (R 11) | R 2.72 | + 290% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$72 (R 829) | R 469 | + 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$50 (R 571) | R 55 | + 939% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 87% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 661 prices entered by 66 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
11.523
ZAR
/
AUD
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For example, you would need at least R 127,363 (AU$11,053) in Brisbane to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 68,000 in Cape Town.
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