Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 20% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Johor Bahru or in Cape Town? You can help!
Improve the prices for Johor Bahru! Improve the prices for Cape Town!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 267 prices entered by 33 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 12% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 151 (RM36) | RM21 | + 75% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 89 (RM21) | RM15 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 63 (RM15) | RM10 | + 56% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 20 (RM4.71) | RM6 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 54 (RM13) | RM7 | + 84% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 31 (RM7) | RM4.81 | + 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 89 (RM21) | RM18 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (RM7) | RM13 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 33 (RM8) | RM4.21 | + 89% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 28 (RM7) | RM11 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 104 (RM25) | RM81 | - 69% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 26 (RM6) | RM4.73 | + 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 19 (RM4.45) | RM3.10 | + 43% | |
| Housing | + 59% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 59% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 22,154 (RM5,285) | RM2,798 | + 89% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 14,125 (RM3,370) | RM1,774 | + 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,744 (RM416) | RM311 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 15,482 (RM3,693) | RM1,597 | + 131% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 9,165 (RM2,186) | RM912 | + 140% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 773 (RM184) | RM575 | - 68% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 629 (RM150) | RM112 | + 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,833 (RM1,392) | RM1,579 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,139 (RM510) | RM480 | + 6% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 119 (RM28) | RM20 | + 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 69 (RM16) | RM26 | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 4% cheaper than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 824 (RM197) | RM217 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 671 (RM160) | RM171 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,670 (RM398) | RM320 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,334 (RM318) | RM384 | - 17% | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 15% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 434,970 (RM103,767) | RM143,076 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (RM5.43) | RM2.11 | + 157% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 644 (RM154) | RM128 | + 20% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 133 (RM32) | RM16 | + 101% | |
| Personal Care | + 14% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 14% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 63 (RM15) | RM16 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 151 (RM36) | RM27 | + 33% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 660 (RM157) | RM68 | + 131% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 61 (RM15) | RM22 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 34 (RM8) | RM11 | - 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 58 (RM14) | RM14 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 39 (RM9) | RM8 | + 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 27 (RM7) | RM8 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 185 (RM44) | RM30 | + 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 378 (RM90) | RM125 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 198 (RM47) | RM53 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,050 (RM251) | RM175 | + 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 678 (RM162) | RM210 | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 82 (RM20) | RM62 | - 69% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 40 (RM9) | RM14 | - 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 42 (RM10) | RM18 | - 45% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,948 (RM2,373) | RM2,126 | + 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 3.14 (RM0.75) | RM0.27 | + 177% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 573 (RM137) | RM122 | + 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (RM13) | RM17 | - 24% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 20% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 267 prices entered by 33 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.23856
MYR
/
ZAR
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Belgrade is 66% more expensive than in Niš
- Cost of living in Sydney is 63% more expensive than in Seoul
- Cost of living in Brasília is about the same as in Brasília
- Cost of living in New York City is 45% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Phoenix, Arizona is 10% cheaper than in Pyongyang
- Cost of living in Lagos is 55% more expensive than in Włocławek
- Cost of living in Manchester is 28% more expensive than in Juba
- Cost of living in Beirut is 80% cheaper than in Włocławek
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 28% more expensive than in Bogotá
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least RM9,816 (R 41,148) in Cape Town to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,200 in Johor Bahru.
Do you live in Johor Bahru? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Yogyakarta (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bandar Lampung (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Durban (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kampung Baru Subang (Malaysia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Salvador (Brazil)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Salvador costs R$ 50 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana costs $13 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 lb of boneless chicken breast in New York City costs $2.20 (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Warsaw costs 30 zł (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 us gal of gasoline in Nashville, Tennessee costs $0.76 (about 3 hours ago)
- 2 liters of whole fat milk in Vancouver costs C$2.55 (about 3 hours ago)