Cost of living in Maseru (Lesotho) is 16% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 357 prices entered by 34 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Maseru (Lesotho) is 14% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | R 124 | - | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | - | R 97 | - | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | R 66 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 Loti (R 16) | R 19 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 35 Loti (R 35) | R 54 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | R 30 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | - | R 92 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23 Loti (R 23) | R 28 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | R 33 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 14 Loti (R 14) | R 31 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 78 Loti (R 78) | R 151 | - 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 20 Loti (R 20) | R 29 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12 Loti (R 12) | R 17 | - 31% | |
| Housing | - 14% | |||
| Housing in Maseru (Lesotho) is 14% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 10,525 Loti (R 10,485) | R 24,837 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | R 15,926 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | - | R 2,484 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | R 19,777 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | R 11,550 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | R 803 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | - | R 559 | - | |
| 40” flat screen tv | - | R 5,617 | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | R 1,896 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | R 125 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | R 58 | - | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Maseru (Lesotho) is 10% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 748 Loti (R 745) | R 887 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | R 809 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 887 Loti (R 884) | R 1,853 | - 52% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | R 1,334 | - | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Maseru (Lesotho) is 30% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 211,879 Loti (R 211,071) | R 393,073 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 13 Loti (R 13) | R 23 | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 526 Loti (R 524) | R 683 | - 23% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | R 147 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Maseru (Lesotho) is 10% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | R 78 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | R 184 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | R 655 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | R 56 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 33 Loti (R 33) | R 42 | - 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | R 65 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 30 Loti (R 30) | R 39 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | - | R 27 | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 53 Loti (R 53) | R 209 | - 75% | |
| Entertainment | - 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Maseru (Lesotho) is about the same as in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Maseru | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | R 441 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | R 220 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | R 1,050 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | - | R 791 | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | R 87 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | R 43 | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 17 Loti (R 17) | R 43 | - 60% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | R 9,948 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | R 2.99 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 474 Loti (R 472) | R 553 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | R 59 | - | |
 |
TOTAL | - 16% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 357 prices entered by 34 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.996
ZAR
/
LSL
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 76,000 in Cape Town you would need to make just about R 64,141 (64,387 Loti) in Maseru.
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