Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 21% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)
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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 523 prices entered by 53 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 5% cheaper than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 170 (RM42) | RM18 | + 137% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 85 (RM21) | RM19 | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 47 (RM12) | RM11 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 21 (RM5.22) | RM8 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 53 (RM13) | RM13 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 (RM6) | RM8 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 73 (RM18) | RM26 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (RM7) | RM8 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 24 (RM6) | RM6 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 (RM5.77) | RM11 | - 49% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 91 (RM23) | RM109 | - 79% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 25 (RM6) | RM4.55 | + 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 18 (RM4.55) | RM3.18 | + 43% | |
| Housing | + 78% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 78% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 22,683 (RM5,661) | RM2,505 | + 126% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 13,016 (RM3,248) | RM1,780 | + 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,576 (RM393) | RM197 | + 100% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 12,490 (RM3,117) | RM1,411 | + 121% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 8,192 (RM2,044) | RM902 | + 127% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 714 (RM178) | RM196 | - 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 715 (RM178) | RM125 | + 43% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,628 (RM1,155) | RM1,828 | - 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,649 (RM411) | RM623 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 119 (RM30) | RM29 | + 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 63 (RM16) | RM16 | + 1% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 5% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 898 (RM224) | RM291 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 639 (RM159) | RM139 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,586 (RM396) | RM294 | + 35% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,356 (RM338) | RM319 | + 6% | |
| Transportation | + 3% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is about the same as in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 399,668 (RM99,740) | RM157,853 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (RM5.86) | RM2.52 | + 133% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 595 (RM148) | RM117 | + 27% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 152 (RM38) | RM44 | - 13% | |
| Personal Care | + 75% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 75% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 122 (RM30) | RM12 | + 156% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 261 (RM65) | RM20 | + 231% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 559 (RM139) | RM79 | + 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 (RM13) | RM34 | - 62% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (RM8) | RM7 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 66 (RM16) | RM12 | + 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 47 (RM12) | RM5.06 | + 131% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 32 (RM8) | RM7 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 222 (RM56) | RM39 | + 42% | |
| Entertainment | + 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 22% more expensive than in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Kota Kinabalu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 379 (RM95) | RM61 | + 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 227 (RM57) | RM26 | + 115% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 941 (RM235) | RM70 | + 235% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 644 (RM161) | RM114 | + 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 106 (RM26) | RM26 | + 0% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 34 (RM8) | RM12 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 (RM10) | RM16 | - 37% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,964 (RM2,486) | RM1,762 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.58 (RM0.39) | RM0.27 | + 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 655 (RM163) | RM180 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (RM14) | RM17 | - 17% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 21% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 523 prices entered by 53 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.24956
MYR
/
ZAR
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For example, you would need at least RM8,617 (R 34,528) in Cape Town to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM7,100 in Kota Kinabalu.
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