Cost of living in Cape Town, South Africa vs Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Currency:
| Food | - 42% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 42% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 121 ($8) | $14 | - 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 63 ($4.10) | $7 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 48 ($3.12) | $4.70 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 15 ($0.95) | $0.86 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 37 ($2.41) | $2.37 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 ($1.62) | $4.43 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 69 ($4.49) | $8 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 21 ($1.37) | $3.06 | - 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 17 ($1.08) | $1.56 | - 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 18 ($1.17) | $2.81 | - 58% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 111 ($7) | $13 | - 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 24 ($1.55) | $1.84 | - 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 11 ($0.71) | $1.66 | - 57% | |
| Housing | - 31% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 31% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 17,387 ($1,132) | $1,487 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,636 ($757) | $1,026 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,148 ($75) | $123 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 13,105 ($853) | $957 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 8,104 ($527) | $692 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 861 ($56) | $127 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 558 ($36) | $48 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,006 ($326) | $338 | - 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,658 ($108) | $80 | + 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 84 ($5.49) | $11 | - 52% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 36 ($2.36) | $24 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 761 ($49) | $49 | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 511 ($33) | $33 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,423 ($93) | $82 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,407 ($92) | $101 | - 9% | |
| Transportation | + 27% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 27% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 372,713 ($24,258) | $19,239 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 15 ($0.94) | $0.70 | + 35% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 729 ($47) | $33 | + 44% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 146 ($9) | $17 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | - 51% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 51% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 66 ($4.32) | $7 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 141 ($9) | $21 | - 56% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 426 ($28) | $95 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 42 ($2.76) | $6 | - 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 34 ($2.20) | $3.01 | - 27% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 57 ($3.68) | $5.65 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 27 ($1.73) | $3.19 | - 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 20 ($1.31) | $1.79 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 143 ($9) | $20 | - 53% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 29% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 426 ($28) | $34 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 184 ($12) | $19 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 722 ($47) | $95 | - 51% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 622 ($40) | $67 | - 40% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 66 ($4.30) | $7 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 34 ($2.24) | $3.83 | - 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 38 ($2.45) | $4.40 | - 44% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 7,712 ($502) | $430 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.65 ($0.11) | $0.21 | - 48% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 564 ($37) | $43 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 45 ($2.90) | $7 | - 60% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 561 prices entered by 87 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.06509
USD
/
ZAR
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Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 24% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,100 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $3,134 (R 48,159) in Cape Town.
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