Cost of living in Cape Town
Cape Town, a vibrant city in South Africa, is known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone planning to move or visit.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Cape Town, including housing, dining, transportation, and more, to help you budget effectively.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $8.55 on average, with a range between $5.52 and $13.8.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $38.63, with prices ranging from $27.6 to $66.23.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.97, with a range between $4.14 and $5.52.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.66 to $3.59, imported beer $1.93 to $4.42, cappuccino $1.49 to $2.76, and Coke/Pepsi $0.77 to $1.66.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.83 and $1.66 per liter, averaging $1.11.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.72 and $1.27, with an average price of $1.05.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.55 to $3.31, averaging $2.5.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.94 to $1.93 per kg, while oranges range from $0.72 to $2.76 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.55 and $2.48 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.83 to $1.38 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.77 and $1.66, with a monthly pass priced between $16.56 and $54.64.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.18 and $1.47 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.55, with a cost of $0.66 to $1.66 per km and $2.65 to $5.52 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $579.51 to $1048.63, averaging $774.35.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $413.93 to $827.86, averaging $507.04.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1103.82 to $2759.55, averaging $1539.83.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $772.67 to $1379.77, averaging $996.01.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $1379.77 to $2483.59, averaging $1838.56.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $827.86 to $1931.68, averaging $1237.85.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $59.42 and $153.53, averaging $95.67.
- Internet - Internet services range from $33.06 to $55.19, with an average cost of $42.04.
Cost of Living Rankings
Cape Town ranks 2nd on the Cost of Living rankings in South Africa. The cost of living indices for South Africa are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in South Africa, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
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Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Cape Town offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western cities, with reasonable prices for dining and groceries.
Housing costs can vary significantly depending on the location, with city centre apartments being more expensive.
Transportation is affordable, especially public transport, making it a cost-effective option for getting around the city.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cape Town provides a balanced cost of living with affordable dining and transportation options.
While housing in the city centre can be pricey, there are more affordable options available outside the centre.
Overall, Cape Town is an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant city life without the high costs associated with many other global cities.