Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 54% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,120 prices entered by 169 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 53% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 184 (C$14) | C$26 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 77 (C$5.83) | C$13 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 41 (C$3.13) | C$9 | - 66% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (C$1.38) | C$3.15 | - 56% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 49 (C$3.74) | C$7 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 19 (C$1.42) | C$4.74 | - 70% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 69 (C$5.24) | C$10 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (C$2.16) | C$4.64 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 22 (C$1.70) | C$3.57 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 (C$1.72) | C$3.63 | - 53% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 136 (C$10) | C$21 | - 51% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 27 (C$2.04) | C$3.41 | - 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 18 (C$1.36) | C$3.09 | - 56% | |
| Housing | - 63% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 63% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,647 (C$1,338) | C$4,588 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,794 (C$895) | C$2,869 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,252 (C$95) | C$157 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 13,379 (C$1,015) | C$2,485 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,979 (C$605) | C$1,937 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 996 (C$76) | C$110 | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 548 (C$42) | C$75 | - 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,038 (C$382) | C$407 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,336 (C$101) | C$269 | - 62% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 110 (C$8) | C$13 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 71 (C$5.38) | C$27 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 13% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 949 (C$72) | C$84 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 690 (C$52) | C$61 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,863 (C$141) | C$125 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,445 (C$110) | C$160 | - 32% | |
| Transportation | - 51% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 51% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 360,963 (C$27,378) | C$29,689 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (C$1.76) | C$1.99 | - 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 532 (C$40) | C$122 | - 67% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 161 (C$12) | C$22 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 49% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 82 (C$6) | C$11 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 248 (C$19) | C$21 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 513 (C$39) | C$156 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 47 (C$3.57) | C$10 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 33 (C$2.49) | C$6 | - 62% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 71 (C$5.40) | C$8 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 30 (C$2.28) | C$3.25 | - 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 23 (C$1.76) | C$3.21 | - 45% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 198 (C$15) | C$27 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 52% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 52% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 422 (C$32) | C$82 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 219 (C$17) | C$33 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 762 (C$58) | C$291 | - 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 756 (C$57) | C$112 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (C$5.27) | C$15 | - 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (C$2.51) | C$5.11 | - 51% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 (C$2.95) | C$8 | - 61% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 8,213 (C$623) | C$507 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.38 (C$0.10) | C$0.39 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 766 (C$58) | C$75 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 53 (C$4.00) | C$15 | - 73% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 54% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,120 prices entered by 169 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.07585
CAD
/
ZAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$15,000 in Vancouver you would need to make just about C$6,885 (R 90,779) in Cape Town.
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