Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 46% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 673 prices entered by 83 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 42% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 42% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 165 (£7) | £11 | - 39% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 77 (£3.14) | £6 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (£1.80) | £3.77 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (£0.78) | £1.10 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 49 (£2.01) | £3.44 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 (£1.01) | £2.05 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 92 (£3.74) | £3.39 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 27 (£1.11) | £2.03 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 22 (£0.88) | £0.87 | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 24 (£0.97) | £1.81 | - 46% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 87 (£3.55) | £8 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 26 (£1.06) | £2.04 | - 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 18 (£0.72) | £0.91 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 44% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 22,528 (£916) | £1,574 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 15,383 (£625) | £1,037 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,263 (£51) | £272 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 12,531 (£509) | £852 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 8,282 (£337) | £725 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 907 (£37) | £105 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 715 (£29) | £27 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,197 (£211) | £347 | - 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,649 (£67) | £102 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 119 (£4.83) | £7 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 63 (£2.56) | £13 | - 80% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 17% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 870 (£35) | £63 | - 44% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 639 (£26) | £28 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,633 (£66) | £67 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,356 (£55) | £62 | - 11% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 53% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 399,668 (£16,245) | £24,000 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 24 (£0.96) | £1.53 | - 38% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 595 (£24) | £64 | - 62% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 122 (£4.97) | £13 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 36% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 122 (£4.95) | £7 | - 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 261 (£11) | £8 | + 40% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 713 (£29) | £100 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 (£2.07) | £3.66 | - 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (£1.31) | £1.98 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 66 (£2.69) | £3.40 | - 21% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 47 (£1.90) | £1.99 | - 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 32 (£1.31) | £1.92 | - 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 233 (£9) | £13 | - 29% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 47% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 407 (£17) | £23 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 206 (£8) | £18 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 941 (£38) | £93 | - 59% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 644 (£26) | £49 | - 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 106 (£4.30) | £8 | - 48% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 34 (£1.38) | £3.15 | - 56% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 (£1.61) | £4.04 | - 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,964 (£405) | £444 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.58 (£0.06) | £0.19 | - 65% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 655 (£27) | £31 | - 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 53 (£2.14) | £12 | - 83% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 46% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 673 prices entered by 83 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.04065
GBP
/
ZAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £4,900 in Birmingham you would need to make just about £2,668 (R 65,642) in Cape Town.
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