Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 13% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,151 prices entered by 126 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 4% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 166 | R 149 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 86 | R 84 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 48 | R 51 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 22 | R 18 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 53 | R 42 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 | R 27 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 91 | R 75 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 | R 29 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 27 | R 25 | + 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 | R 24 | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 91 | R 104 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 25 | R 25 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 18 | R 17 | + 2% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 12% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 22,683 | R 13,948 | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 13,016 | R 11,260 | + 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,576 | R 2,303 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 12,490 | R 8,356 | + 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 8,192 | R 6,336 | + 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 714 | R 2,487 | - 71% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 494 | R 693 | - 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,388 | R 4,848 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,974 | R 1,783 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 125 | R 122 | + 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 63 | R 60 | + 5% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 23% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 911 | R 852 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 821 | R 585 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,793 | R 1,635 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,356 | R 1,364 | - 1% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 40% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 399,668 | R 469,950 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 | R 24 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 543 | R 1,219 | - 55% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 152 | R 166 | - 9% | |
| Personal Care | - 4% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is about the same as in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 80 | R 77 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 261 | R 306 | - 15% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 604 | R 588 | + 3% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 | R 46 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 31 | R 35 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 59 | R 76 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 43 | R 32 | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 26 | R 26 | + 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 222 | R 191 | + 16% | |
| Entertainment | - 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 7% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 379 | R 477 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 227 | R 236 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 941 | R 820 | + 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 644 | R 712 | - 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 106 | R 96 | + 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 39 | R 35 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 | R 36 | + 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,964 | R 10,605 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.58 | R 1.80 | - 12% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 655 | R 687 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 | R 49 | + 12% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 13% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,151 prices entered by 126 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 45,000 in Johannesburg you would need to make just about R 39,074 in Cape Town.
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