Sub-Saharan Africa Updated
Average Cost of Living in Cape-Town
The average cost of living in Cape-Town, South Africa is $1,056 per month for a single person, and $2,573 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,028 per month. The local average net salary is $1,551 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 24 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $1,056 / month
- Family of 4
- $2,573 / mo
- Student
- $628 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Cape-Town
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$1,550.83 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Cape-Town | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Cape-Town | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Cape-Town | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Cape-Town | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Cape-Town | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Cape-Town | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Cape-Town | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Cape-Town | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Cape-Town | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Cape-Town | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Cape-Town FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Cape-Town. |
Rent & Property Prices in Cape-Town
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,028 | $891 – $1,526 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $648 | $488 – $916 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,716 | $1,221 – $2,137 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,243 | $916 – $1,648 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $2,297 | $1,831 – $3,052 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $1,473 | $916 – $1,831 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,028$891 – $1,526
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $648$488 – $916
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,716$1,221 – $2,137
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,243$916 – $1,648
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $2,297$1,831 – $3,052
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $1,473$916 – $1,831
Grocery Prices in Cape-Town
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.37 | $0.85 – $2.08 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.20 | $0.84 – $1.83 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $2.30 | $1.22 – $4.27 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.91 | $1.47 – $5.49 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $8.55 | $4.88 – $13 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $6.07 | $4.21 – $8.55 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $8.30 | $5.49 – $12 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $1.84 | $1.22 – $2.44 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.96 | $1.22 – $3.05 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $1.82 | $0.92 – $3.60 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2.05 | $1.53 – $2.56 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.65 | $0.73 – $2.20 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.46 | $0.79 – $1.83 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $1.24 | $0.61 – $1.53 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $1.17 | $0.79 – $1.83 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $6.41 | $3.36 – $12 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.48 | $1.10 – $2.75 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.31 | $1.12 – $3.97 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $3.36 | $2.75 – $4.27 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.37$0.85 – $2.08
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.20$0.84 – $1.83
- White Rice (1 kg) $2.30$1.22 – $4.27
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.91$1.47 – $5.49
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $8.55$4.88 – $13
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $6.07$4.21 – $8.55
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $8.30$5.49 – $12
- Apples (1 kg) $1.84$1.22 – $2.44
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.96$1.22 – $3.05
- Oranges (1 kg) $1.82$0.92 – $3.60
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $2.05$1.53 – $2.56
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.65$0.73 – $2.20
- Onions (1 kg) $1.46$0.79 – $1.83
- Lettuce (1 Head) $1.24$0.61 – $1.53
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $1.17$0.79 – $1.83
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $6.41$3.36 – $12
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.48$1.10 – $2.75
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.31$1.12 – $3.97
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $3.36$2.75 – $4.27
Public Transport & Car Costs in Cape-Town
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $1.31 | $0.70 – $1.83 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $61 | $21 – $61 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.22 | $0.42 – $2.44 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $1.50 | $0.84 – $1.59 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $5.04 | $5.04 – $6.10 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.32 | $1.22 – $1.40 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $35,957 | $35,462 – $36,903 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $32,013 | $27,471 – $34,205 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $1.31$0.70 – $1.83
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $61$21 – $61
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $1.22$0.42 – $2.44
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $1.50$0.84 – $1.59
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $5.04$5.04 – $6.10
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.32$1.22 – $1.40
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $35,957$35,462 – $36,903
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $32,013$27,471 – $34,205
Utility & Internet Costs in Cape-Town
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $131 | $73 – $214 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $34 | $18 – $61 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $39 | $30 – $52 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $131$73 – $214
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $34$18 – $61
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $39$30 – $52
Childcare & Preschool in Cape-Town
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $280 | $183 – $366 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $5,477 | $2,198 – $9,768 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $280$183 – $366
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $5,477$2,198 – $9,768
Clothing Prices in Cape-Town
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $59 | $37 – $73 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $38 | $18 – $61 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $126 | $73 – $159 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $104 | $49 – $183 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $59$37 – $73
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $38$18 – $61
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $126$73 – $159
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $104$49 – $183
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Cape-Town
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $52 | $24 – $73 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $10 | $3.66 – $21 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $8.85 | $5.49 – $12 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $52$24 – $73
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $10$3.66 – $21
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $8.85$5.49 – $12
Restaurant Prices in Cape-Town
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $12 | $7.33 – $18 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $49 | $31 – $67 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $6.10 | $5.49 – $7.33 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.05 | $2.44 – $4.27 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.66 | $3.05 – $5.49 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $2.46 | $1.83 – $3.66 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.48 | $0.92 – $2.14 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.11 | $0.92 – $1.83 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $12$7.33 – $18
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $49$31 – $67
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $6.10$5.49 – $7.33
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $3.05$2.44 – $4.27
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.66$3.05 – $5.49
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $2.46$1.83 – $3.66
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.48$0.92 – $2.14
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $1.11$0.92 – $1.83
Salaries & Mortgages in Cape-Town
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $1,551 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.27% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $1,551
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 11.27%
Compare Cape-Town with…
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Cape-Town?
- An estimated $1,056 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Cape-Town. A family of four needs around $2,573 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $628.
- How much money do I need to live in Cape-Town?
- Plan for at least $1,056 per month as a single person, $2,573 per month for a family of four, or $628 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Cape-Town.
- What is the average rent in Cape-Town?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Cape-Town rents for around $1,028 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $1,716 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Cape-Town?
- The average monthly net salary in Cape-Town is around $1,551. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 66% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Cape-Town?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Cape-Town costs around $12. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $50 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.37/L) and bread ($1.20/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Cape-Town?
- A monthly public transport pass in Cape-Town costs around $61. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Cape-Town?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Cape-Town costs around $39 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.