Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 267% 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 1,164 prices entered by 166 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 239% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New York City (United States) is 239% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $28 (R 504) | R 104 | + 383% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (R 221) | R 89 | + 150% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (R 139) | R 67 | + 109% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.63 (R 30) | R 18 | + 66% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $9 (R 165) | R 54 | + 207% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (R 117) | R 28 | + 320% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (R 157) | R 81 | + 95% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $7 (R 132) | R 27 | + 391% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.53 (R 64) | R 31 | + 108% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.63 (R 84) | R 28 | + 207% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $21 (R 387) | R 141 | + 174% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $4.69 (R 86) | R 28 | + 205% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.90 (R 89) | R 16 | + 474% | |
| Housing | + 352% | |||
| Housing in New York City (United States) is 352% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $7,568 (R 137,990) | R 21,036 | + 556% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $5,000 (R 91,171) | R 15,092 | + 504% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $291 (R 5,305) | R 2,135 | + 148% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,981 (R 72,590) | R 19,209 | + 278% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,948 (R 53,750) | R 11,139 | + 383% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $217 (R 3,961) | R 773 | + 412% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $66 (R 1,203) | R 629 | + 91% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $480 (R 8,756) | R 6,033 | + 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $104 (R 1,896) | R 1,892 | + 0% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $17 (R 308) | R 119 | + 160% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $54 (R 987) | R 133 | + 640% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in New York City (United States) is 29% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $68 (R 1,247) | R 883 | + 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (R 852) | R 790 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $114 (R 2,078) | R 1,851 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $175 (R 3,188) | R 1,334 | + 139% | |
| Transportation | + 166% | |||
| Transportation in New York City (United States) is 166% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $32,277 (R 588,490) | R 439,141 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.98 (R 18) | R 23 | - 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $134 (R 2,451) | R 644 | + 281% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $26 (R 471) | R 135 | + 250% | |
| Personal Care | + 323% | |||
| Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 323% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $18 (R 336) | R 66 | + 413% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $55 (R 995) | R 184 | + 442% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $173 (R 3,148) | R 729 | + 332% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $12 (R 222) | R 56 | + 295% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $9 (R 167) | R 40 | + 320% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $11 (R 198) | R 58 | + 238% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $7 (R 136) | R 39 | + 250% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.95 (R 36) | R 27 | + 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $36 (R 656) | R 189 | + 247% | |
| Entertainment | + 379% | |||
| Entertainment in New York City (United States) is 379% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $98 (R 1,786) | R 378 | + 372% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $38 (R 701) | R 220 | + 219% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $472 (R 8,605) | R 1,050 | + 719% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $157 (R 2,860) | R 722 | + 296% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $20 (R 366) | R 84 | + 337% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (R 112) | R 43 | + 161% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 (R 164) | R 42 | + 292% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $1,189 (R 21,674) | R 9,948 | + 118% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.13 (R 21) | R 2.72 | + 658% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $157 (R 2,870) | R 469 | + 512% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $18 (R 335) | R 55 | + 509% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 267% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,164 prices entered by 166 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
18.233
ZAR
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least R 231,190 ($12,680) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 63,000 in Cape Town.
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