Cost of living comparison between Cape Town (South Africa) and New York City (United States)
| Food | 56% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 56% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | R 74 ($7.94) | $14.33 | 45% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | R 37 ($4.01) | $7.56 | 47% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | R 29 ($3.08) | $5.40 | 43% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 11.47 ($1.23) | $2.78 | 56% |
| 12 eggs, large | R 17.69 ($1.90) | $3.48 | 45% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 12.75 ($1.37) | $4.92 | 72% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 35 ($3.75) | $6.55 | 43% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 14.69 ($1.58) | $4.46 | 65% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | R 16.67 ($1.79) | $5.10 | 65% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | R 9.38 ($1.01) | $2.65 | 62% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 55 ($5.95) | $17.01 | 65% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | R 14.55 ($1.56) | $2.35 | 34% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 7.46 ($0.80) | $2.94 | 73% |
| Housing | 68% | ||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 68% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | R 8,917 ($957) | $3,656 | 74% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 840 ($90) | $161 | 44% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | R 552 ($59) | $53 | 11% |
| 40” flat screen TV | R 5,300 ($569) | $779 | 27% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | R 904 ($97) | $161 | 40% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 52 ($5.53) | $12.25 | 55% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 29 ($3.08) | $22 | 86% |
| Clothes | 6% | ||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 6% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | R 591 ($63) | $59 | 7% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | R 400 ($43) | $40 | 8% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | R 823 ($88) | $92 | 4% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | R 470 ($50) | $118 | 57% |
| Transportation | 48% | ||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 48% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 285,829 ($30,664) | $27,674 | 11% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 11.44 ($1.23) | $1.06 | 16% |
| monthly ticket public transport | R 268 ($29) | $107 | 73% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | R 93 ($9.94) | $16.66 | 40% |
| Personal Care | 56% | ||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 56% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | R 49 ($5.29) | $13.24 | 60% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | R 38 ($4.09) | $8.07 | 49% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 19.31 ($2.07) | $4.92 | 58% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 39 ($4.18) | $5.78 | 28% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 19.67 ($2.11) | $4.29 | 51% |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 10.75 ($1.15) | $4.28 | 73% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 124 ($13.32) | $30 | 56% |
| Entertainment | 60% | ||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 60% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 190 ($20) | $51 | 60% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 85 ($9.16) | $26 | 65% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 550 ($59) | $296 | 80% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | R 383 ($41) | $115 | 64% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 41 ($4.43) | $13.97 | 68% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | R 19.73 ($2.12) | $4.47 | 53% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | R 17.94 ($1.92) | $6.23 | 69% |
| iPod nano 16GB | R 1,500 ($161) | $157 | 2% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.34 ($0.14) | $0.34 | 58% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | R 384 ($41) | $99 | 58% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | R 32 ($3.42) | $12.37 | 72% |
| TOTAL | 59% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 10,302 prices entered by 1,029 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2013.
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