Cost of Living in Cape Town
Summary of cost of living in Cape Town, South Africa:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 2,597.1$ (42,589.7R), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 721.1$ (11,825.8R), excluding rent.
- Cape Town is 59.4% less expensive than New York (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Cape Town is, on average, 79.4% lower than in New York.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 11.13 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 48.78 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 5.55 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 3.05 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 3.05 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 2.39 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 1.31 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 1.04 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.27 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 1.06 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 1.02 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 2.62 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 4.23 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 2.69 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 3.65 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 0.84 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 0.80 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 0.79 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 0.84 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 0.70 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 0.66 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 1.23 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 1.20 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 6.56 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1.41 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.04 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 3.35 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 1.04 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 60.68 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 1.22 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 1.77 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 5.03 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.33 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 35,917.41 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 30,392.33 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 126.23 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 34.66 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 42.85 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 50.54 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 9.68 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 8.23 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 261.01 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 5,823.73 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 58.42 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 37.00 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 123.70 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 93.65 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 938.64 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 630.32 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,704.40 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,225.70 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 197.64 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 131.55 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 1,693.20 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.33 | |
Prices in Cape Town
This city had 1251 entries in the past 12 months by 104 different contributors.
Last update: 9 January 2026
Last update: 9 January 2026
Sources and References
Moving to Cape Town? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Durbanville | 18.43 miles |
| Cost of Living in Somerset West | 27.94 miles |
| Cost of Living in Paarl | 38.17 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Kapstadt
|
 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Cidade do Cabo
|
 ItalianoCosto della vita a Città del Capo
|
 FrançaisCoût de la vie à Le Cap
|
 EspañolCoste de vida en Ciudad del Cabo
|
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Cape Town? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Cape Town.
Thanking you
Phone: 1000 with top up needed sometimes of 300 = 1300 pm
Car insurance and household insurance 1700 pm
Do we as single vulnerable mothers get any support from the government? NO. Do we as single mothers have to keep paying tax with zero compensation or discount from the government? NO
Enjoy loadshedding in the dark with a baby, trying to bath them, sterilizing bottles... don't forget the price of candles, light bulbs and LED lights and battery packs added to your bill, if you don't have to add an inverter too. School fees 3k - 10k a month as your child gets older is still another headache!
1. decent medical aid with gap cover which you CANNOT do without in S.A min R1000- 1500 pm
2. Transport - assuming your car is paid off (if not, up to R2500-R3000 p/m to pay off), car insurance (R500-R1500 depending on the car), R2000 average for petrol (depending where you work and socialise)
3. Atleast R3000 - R5000 p/m on food/toiletries/cleaning agents/entertainment/domestic workers (movies/entrance fees/restaurants etc)
4. R1000 for clothes/makeup/home decor items
5. Other charges - R200 mobile phone, Wifi R500 (depending on package), lights and water (approx R500-R1000), rates and levies if you own a home? Vehicle servicing (Budgets another R200 or so a month).