Cost of Living in Cape Town: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Cape Town is a beautiful city located at the southwestern tip of South Africa. It is famous for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. With the iconic Table Mountain, picturesque beaches and prestigious universities, Cape Town is a popular destination for both tourists and students. If you’re planning to move here for higher studies, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Cape Town.

Cape Town offers a high quality of life with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in South Africa. Proper budgeting is crucial for ensuring a comfortable stay in this vibrant country. If you want to know what essential costs should be considered when calculating the average cost of living in Cape Town, and how to manage them properly. Then this blog is perfect for you, make sure you read till the end to know more.

Cost of Living in Cape Town Overview

The average cost of living in Cape Town for one person, excluding housing rent, is approximately ZAR 11,091, according to Numbeo. When factoring in apartment rent, expenses range from ZAR 8,000 to ZAR 18,000. However, these costs of living can vary based on lifestyle, location, and personal preferences.

For international expatriates, the cost of living in Cape Town includes expenses such as housing rent, food, groceries, utilities, transportation, and entertainment. Below is an overview of the average costs across various categories for those considering a move to Cape Town:

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Costs of Accommodation in Cape Town

When calculating the cost of living in Cape Town, accommodation is undoubtedly a crucial factor. The expenses for housing vary based on location, size, and type of residence you choose. Typically, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Cape Town can have approx cost approximately ZAR 13,046.88. 

It’s important to thoroughly research and compare different accommodation options to find one that suits your needs and budget. For your convenience, we’ve gathered data on the average cost of housing for various apartments both within and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	ZAR 250,049
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	ZAR 446,378
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	ZAR 170,899
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	ZAR 307,846

Cost of a Utility in Cape Town 

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Cape Town typically amounts to around ZAR 26,887. This expense can vary depending on usage and the size of the apartment. When planning your monthly budget in Cape Town, it is crucial to account for utility expenses as they form a significant part of the living costs. Below is a table providing an overview of the average utility bills in Cape Town:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage	ZAR 26,887
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone	including Calls and 10GB+ Data	ZAR 4,330
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	ZAR 6,006

Restaurant Food Costs in Cape Town

The cost of eating out in Cape Town can vary according to the type of restaurant you are dining at, its location, the cuisine and the menu offered. Eating out in Cape Town can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in Cape Town. 

Here’s a rough estimate of the average cost of a meal at restaurants in Cape Town:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal for 2 person (in a Mid-range Restaurant)	ZAR 15,000
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	ZAR 4,000
Equal meal. to McDonald’s	ZAR  3,000
Cappuccino	ZAR 1,027

Cost of Grocery in Cape Town

Now you have seen the food cost at the restaurants. It’s a wise idea for students to cook food at home. For preparing food at home you can buy the grocery from the local market which can save you some money.  The price of groceries in Cape Town is relatively low compared to many other major cities in Cape Town, but it is essential to compare grocery prices to get the most suitable value for your money.

The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in Cape Town. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in Cape Town:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre of Regular Milk	ZAR 566
1kg white Rice	ZAR 744
500g Bread (White)	ZAR 239
1kg Apples	ZAR 629
1kg Oranges	ZAR 1,027
1kg Banana	ZAR 934
1kg Tomato	ZAR 985
1kg Onion	ZAR 221
1kg Potato	ZAR 249
Lettuce (1 head)	ZAR 521
1 litre Water bottle	ZAR 324

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Transportation Costs in Cape Town

Cape Town has an extensive public transportation system, including intercity buses, minibuses, taxis, trains, and bicycle rentals. It’s necessary to evaluate transport costs in Cape Town because they have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in Cape Town. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the Cape Town area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	ZAR 7,200
Ticket for Local Public transport	ZAR 100
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km	ZAR 300
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting	ZAR 2,000
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	ZAR 233

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Miscellaneous Costs in Cape Town

In addition to the primary categories of cost of living in Cape Town, there are several other essential expenses to consider. These include costs for items and activities that you’ll likely need or want after spending some time in Cape Town, such as clothing, entertainment, and minor healthcare services. Below is a table detailing some miscellaneous expenses:

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	ZAR 2404
Brand Jeans	ZAR 2705
Fitness Club	ZAR 18637
Summer Dress	ZAR 20,981
Pair of Sports shoes	ZAR 50,530
Doctor’s visit	ZAR 6593

Cost of Living in Cape Town Compared to Other Cities

Cape Town is generally considered a relatively affordable city to live in compared to some cities and countries like Johannesburg, London, the USA, the UK, Toronto, Dubai, Istanbul and Dublin. However, it has a higher cost of living than Durban, Mauritius, and South Africa. To give you an idea of how the cost of living in Cape Town compares to these cities and countries, we have provided a detailed comparison below. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City/Country Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Cape Town
Cost of Living in Johannesburg	ZAR 12,214 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in London	ZAR 25842 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in the USA	ZAR 21530 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in the UK	ZAR 18940 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in Toronto	ZAR 20183 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in Dubai	ZAR 20098 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in Istanbul	ZAR 11758 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in Dublin	ZAR 21411 (excluding rent)	Higher than Cape Town
Cost of Living in Durban	ZAR 10,330 (excluding rent)	Lower than Cape Town
Cost of Living in Mauritius	ZAR 10512 (excluding rent)	Lower than Cape Town
Cost of Living in South Africa	ZAR 10,811 (excluding rent)	Lower than Cape Town

Average Tuition Fees in Cape Town

Students can budget more effectively for their preferred university by checking the average tuition fees at Cape Town universities. Please note that tuition fees of Cape Town’s Universities may change depending on the university, level of study, field of study and budget you choose. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected Cape Town universities:

Name of University	Approx Tuition Fees Total
University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business	ZAR 99000 – ZAR 594000
University of Stellenbosch Business School	ZAR 64050 – ZAR 277000

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Cape Town

So, this was all about the cost of living in Cape Town. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.