Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 52% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 784 prices entered by 96 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 53% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 116 (AU$10) | AU$24 | - 60% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 96 (AU$8) | AU$16 | - 49% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 66 (AU$5.43) | AU$9 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (AU$1.53) | AU$2.26 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 53 (AU$4.43) | AU$8 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 29 (AU$2.42) | AU$7 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 82 (AU$7) | AU$11 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (AU$2.16) | AU$5.22 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 33 (AU$2.72) | AU$3.77 | - 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 30 (AU$2.47) | AU$8 | - 69% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 149 (AU$12) | AU$19 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 29 (AU$2.40) | AU$4.31 | - 44% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 18 (AU$1.52) | AU$3.23 | - 53% | |
| Housing | - 46% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 46% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 21,825 (AU$1,808) | AU$4,020 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 15,232 (AU$1,262) | AU$2,686 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 2,126 (AU$176) | AU$249 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 17,931 (AU$1,485) | AU$2,158 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 11,111 (AU$920) | AU$1,918 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 773 (AU$64) | AU$200 | - 68% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 629 (AU$52) | AU$73 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 6,033 (AU$500) | AU$761 | - 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,892 (AU$157) | AU$243 | - 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 119 (AU$10) | AU$14 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 133 (AU$11) | AU$42 | - 74% | |
| Clothes | - 43% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 43% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 883 (AU$73) | AU$118 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 790 (AU$65) | AU$132 | - 51% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,851 (AU$153) | AU$173 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,334 (AU$111) | AU$235 | - 53% | |
| Transportation | - 57% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 57% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 439,141 (AU$36,372) | AU$38,788 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (AU$1.89) | AU$1.94 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 623 (AU$52) | AU$170 | - 70% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 135 (AU$11) | AU$28 | - 61% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 36% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 78 (AU$7) | AU$9 | - 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 184 (AU$15) | AU$17 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 665 (AU$55) | AU$81 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 56 (AU$4.64) | AU$7 | - 37% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 40 (AU$3.29) | AU$6 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 65 (AU$5.34) | AU$9 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 39 (AU$3.21) | AU$4.99 | - 36% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 27 (AU$2.28) | AU$3.90 | - 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 209 (AU$17) | AU$41 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 57% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 57% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 415 (AU$34) | AU$79 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 220 (AU$18) | AU$44 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 1,050 (AU$87) | AU$383 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 791 (AU$65) | AU$119 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 87 (AU$7) | AU$24 | - 70% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 43 (AU$3.55) | AU$5.48 | - 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 43 (AU$3.53) | AU$14 | - 74% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,948 (AU$824) | AU$1,006 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 2.99 (AU$0.25) | AU$0.38 | - 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 469 (AU$39) | AU$92 | - 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 58 (AU$4.81) | AU$54 | - 91% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 52% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 784 prices entered by 96 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.08283
AUD
/
ZAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$12,000 in Melbourne you would need to make just about AU$5,784 (R 69,833) in Cape Town.
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