Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 46% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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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 938 prices entered by 150 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 31% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 124 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 46 | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 97 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 35 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 66 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 17 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 19 (Dirham 3.84) | Dirham 7 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 54 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 12 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 30 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 6 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 92 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 17 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (Dirham 5.75) | Dirham 9 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 33 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 4.48 | + 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 31 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 10 | - 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 151 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 59 | - 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 29 (Dirham 5.90) | Dirham 7 | - 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 17 (Dirham 3.51) | Dirham 5.24 | - 33% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 60% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 24,837 (Dirham 5,057) | Dirham 14,724 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 15,926 (Dirham 3,242) | Dirham 9,417 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,484 (Dirham 506) | Dirham 829 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 19,777 (Dirham 4,026) | Dirham 8,201 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,550 (Dirham 2,351) | Dirham 5,341 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 803 (Dirham 163) | Dirham 622 | - 74% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 559 (Dirham 114) | Dirham 336 | - 66% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,617 (Dirham 1,144) | Dirham 770 | + 49% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,896 (Dirham 386) | Dirham 296 | + 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 125 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 41 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 58 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 31 | - 61% | |
| Clothes | - 24% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 24% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 887 (Dirham 181) | Dirham 251 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 809 (Dirham 165) | Dirham 220 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,853 (Dirham 377) | Dirham 399 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,334 (Dirham 272) | Dirham 408 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 38% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 393,073 (Dirham 80,025) | Dirham 92,536 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (Dirham 4.65) | Dirham 2.86 | + 62% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 683 (Dirham 139) | Dirham 303 | - 54% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 147 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 37 | - 18% | |
| Personal Care | - 39% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 39% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 78 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 25 | - 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 184 (Dirham 37) | Dirham 38 | - 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 655 (Dirham 133) | Dirham 284 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 56 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 21 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 42 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 19 | - 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 65 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 21 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 39 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 10 | - 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 27 (Dirham 5.60) | Dirham 13 | - 55% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 209 (Dirham 43) | Dirham 40 | + 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 43% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 441 (Dirham 90) | Dirham 147 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 220 (Dirham 45) | Dirham 98 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,050 (Dirham 214) | Dirham 283 | - 25% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 791 (Dirham 161) | Dirham 275 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 87 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 75 | - 76% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 43 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 22 | - 60% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 43 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 45 | - 81% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,948 (Dirham 2,025) | Dirham 1,999 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.99 (Dirham 0.61) | Dirham 0.56 | + 8% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 553 (Dirham 113) | Dirham 318 | - 65% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 59 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 22 | - 44% | |
 |
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 938 prices entered by 150 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 41,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 21,993 (R 108,025) in Cape Town.
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