Cost of living comparison between Cape Town (South Africa) and Beijing (China)
| Food | 16% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 16% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | R 68 (元52) | 元69 | 25% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 35 (元26) | 元26 | 1% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | R 25 (元18.99) | 元15.67 | 21% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 9.02 (元6.83) | 元13.83 | 51% |
| 12 eggs, large | R 19.38 (元14.66) | 元15.33 | 4% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 11.89 (元9.00) | 元11.80 | 24% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 30 (元23) | 元33 | 32% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 13.22 (元10.01) | 元10.55 | 5% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | R 18.43 (元13.95) | 元10.17 | 37% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | R 11.33 (元8.58) | 元4.50 | 91% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 59 (元44) | 元101 | 56% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 13.84 (元10.48) | 元7.09 | 48% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 7.40 (元5.60) | 元10.51 | 47% |
| Housing | 19% | ||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 19% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | R 8,167 (元6,181) | 元9,817 | 37% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 675 (元511) | 元223 | 129% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | R 518 (元392) | 元149 | 163% |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 6,237 (元4,721) | 元4,668 | 1% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | R 980 (元742) | 元650 | 14% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 73 (元55) | 元46 | 20% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 26 (元20) | 元22 | 11% |
| Clothes | 21% | ||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 21% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | R 641 (元485) | 元603 | 20% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | R 338 (元255) | 元350 | 27% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | R 781 (元591) | 元600 | 2% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | R 580 (元439) | 元500 | 12% |
| Transportation | 37% | ||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 37% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 285,333 (元215,963) | 元180,000 | 20% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 10.39 (元7.86) | 元7.29 | 8% |
| monthly ticket public transport | R 195 (元148) | 元64 | 131% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | R 97 (元74) | 元27 | 171% |
| Personal Care | 2% | ||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 2% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | R 59 (元45) | 元33 | 34% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 42 (元31) | 元47 | 34% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 18.43 (元13.95) | 元29 | 51% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 41 (元31) | 元31 | 0% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 22 (元16.75) | 元11.45 | 46% |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 11.57 (元8.76) | 元10.90 | 20% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 115 (元87) | 元86 | 1% |
| Entertainment | 27% | ||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 27% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 174 (元132) | 元176 | 25% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 84 (元64) | 元155 | 59% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 579 (元438) | 元818 | 46% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | R 391 (元296) | 元388 | 24% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 34 (元26) | 元59 | 57% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | R 20 (元15.47) | 元35 | 56% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | R 17.13 (元12.97) | 元22 | 41% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | R 1,570 (元1,188) | 元1,266 | 6% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.10 (元1.59) | 元1.20 | 32% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | R 398 (元301) | 元534 | 44% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | R 30 (元22) | 元14.50 | 55% |
| TOTAL | 11% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 2,416 prices entered by 242 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2012.
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Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 11% cheaper than in Beijing (China)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
元30,000
in Beijing
you would need to make just about 元26,794
(R 35,400)
in Cape Town.