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With stunning beaches, fantastic culture, great restaurants, and endless entertainment, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a highly desirable place to live.
While the cost of living is higher than most cities in South Africa, the wages are also significantly higher than most. It helps balance that extra cost, making it even more appealing.
We’ll explore the average housing costs, monthly utilities, food, dining out, transportation, and entertainment costs so you can get an idea of how much it might cost you.
Let’s get started.
What are the Housing Costs in Cape Town?
Even though Cape Town, or as the locals call it, the Mother City, has the highest cost of living in South Africa, it’s still low compared to most places worldwide.
Average Sale Prices of Properties
The average price of buying a home and property varies considerably with the location and size of the property. For instance, those wanting to live in the city centre will pay much more than in the suburbs.
On average, a one-bedroom home in the Mother City costs R1,850,000 (USD$98,753), R3,295,000 (USD$180,773) for a three-bedroom home, or R12,495,000 (USD$685,513) for a large house with five bedrooms.
How Much Does Rent Cost?
Rent also varies significantly depending on where you want to live, in the inner city or the suburbs, and the size of your apartment or home.
The highest rent is in the Waterfront, with a 2-bedroom upscale apartment costing about R32,000 (USD$1,755). That might be high for South Africa but low compared to the cost of an upscale apartment in a wealthy neighbourhood in North America or parts of Europe.
Some other average rental costs are in the Southern Suburbs at R22,000 (USD$1,206), Woodstock at R10,000 (USD$548), the Atlantic Seaboard at R25,000 (USD$1,371), and the City Bowl at around R15,000 (USD$822). Of course, 1-bedroom apartments in those areas will be lower than average, while larger apartments will be higher.
Monthly Utility Expenses
Monthly utility expenses don’t vary much in South Africa, but they still add to your monthly bills. You can expect to pay an average of R755 (USD$41) for internet per month and R1,637 (USD$89) for utilities, including electricity, gas, water, and garbage collection.
You can help save electricity at home in many ways. For instance, switch to LED lights, seal your doors and windows, and monitor your thermostat more carefully.
Of course, you can easily reduce your utility expenses by running your lights and appliances with alternative energy sources instead of electricity and gas, like utilising solar energy with EcoFlow Solar Panels.
You can even go off-grid using an EcoFlow Solar Generator, like the EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generator, complete with solar panels and battery backup. This will keep your lights on and you never have to worry about Eskom’s rolling blackouts again. The best part is that once you achieve the solar payback period which is when the energy savings pay for the purchase of the equipment, your electricity will be free for as much as 20 years.
What is the Average Cost of Food in Cape Town?
The average cost of food in the Mother City is only slightly higher than in the rest of South Africa, where you can expect to pay, on average, about R2,000 to R4,000 (USD$109-$218) per adult person per month.
That will vary slightly with your location and more significantly with your diet since things like meats and cheese are more expensive than fruits and vegetables. Here are some average prices you can expect to pay for everyday grocery items.
| Item | Price |
| Loaf of Bread | R19 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R30 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of milk | R19 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R85 |
| 12 eggs | R52 |
| 500 gr (1lb) of boneless chicken breast | R62 |
| 1 kg (2lb) of apples | R27 |
| 9-Pack of Toilet Paper | R79 |
Prices for Dining Out
Of course, we all want to treat ourselves once in a while, no more so than in a beautiful place like the Mother City with its breathtaking views and exhilarating culture. Fortunately, the price is very reasonable if you want to eat in a restaurant. Here is a list of some average meal costs per person.
| Meal | Average Price |
| High-End Dinner at the Waterfront | R190 – R885 |
| Mid-Range Restaurants | R135 – R200 |
| Cheap Restaurant or Cafe | R80 – R150 |
| Pizza | R76 – R130 |
| Fast Food Meal | R40 – R70 |
| Full Breakfast | R45 – R99 |
What is the Cost of Transport in Cape Town?
The cost of transportation is also pretty reasonable in the Mother City. For a one-way bus ticket, you’ll pay about R20 (USD$1.10). Taxi services cost about R15 (USD$0.82) per kilometre travelled.
If you own a car, 1L of gasoline currently costs about R25 (USD$1.37). Of course, how much you spend on fuel will depend on the size and model of your car, how fuel-efficient it is, and how often and how far you drive.
What Is a Good Salary to Live in Cape Town?
Since the average cost of living tends to be higher in the Mother City than in the rest of South Africa, it makes sense that average salaries should also be higher to reflect that higher cost of living. And they are.
The average monthly salary is about R28,359 (USD$1,555) or R340,308 (USD$18,670) annually. Since the average living expense for a single person not living in an expensive neighbourhood is about R20,000 (USD$1,097), the average salary will cover it.
Your salary also depends on your work experience. Entry-level positions pay around R192,700 (USD$10,572) annually, and jobs for experienced workers pay up to R3,685,817 (USD$202,214).
The job market in the Mother City is healthy, with diverse and dynamic opportunities in numerous sectors of the economy. Some of the largest employers are the South African Government, Woolworths, Mediclinic International, New Clicks Holdings Limited, Shoprite, Sanlam, Foschini Group, Naspers, and Pick-n-Pay.
There are also plenty of entrepreneurial opportunities in the area. With all the gorgeous oceans, Table Mountain, and other scenic sites, tourism is also very important, providing jobs to about 9.6% of the Western Cape’s workforce.
Compared to Johannesburg, another popular South African city, the average living expenses are only slightly higher, although rent is significantly higher, about 33%. The average salary in Johannesburg is only slightly lower, so overall, you will have more disposable income in Johannesburg. But for those who like the beauty and culture of the Mother City, it’s so worth it.
How Much Does Entertainment Cost in Cape Town?
If you like entertainment, this is the place to be. With fascinating culture, beautiful scenery, amazing restaurants, and a rich and vibrant nightlife, there’s plenty to see and do.
Here are some average costs of popular entertainment options.
| Activity | Average Cost |
| Table Mountain National Park Entrance | R40 |
| Monthly Gym Membership | R660 |
| Movie Ticket | R110 |
| Theatre Ticket | R325 |
For those on a budget, there are free entertainment opportunities, like walks on the beautiful beaches or nature walks just outside the city. To keep devices charged during your adventures, consider EcoFlow Portable Power Stations and stay in contact with friends and family even in the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Living in Cape Town for a single person costs about R10,877.4 for living expenses and between R8,002 and R12,054 for rent. A family of four can expect to pay about R38,128 for general living expenses plus R15,921 to R25,129 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Whether you see Cape Town as cheap or expensive depends on your perspective. Compared to the rest of South Africa, it’s the most expensive city. However, compared to other countries, the Mother City is still about 50% cheaper than most countries worldwide.
Living in Cape Town is slightly more expensive than living in Johannesburg, depending on where you rent. The average monthly cost of living, including rent, is around R20,095 in the Cape area and R18,579 for a single person in Johannesburg. However, salaries are slightly higher in the Mother City.
Final Thoughts
Cape Town typically has much higher rental fees than most of South Africa. However, utilities, food, transportation, and entertainment costs are similar to the rest of the country. The Mother City also offers the highest average monthly salary, which helps compensate for the higher housing costs.
If you live in the area or are considering moving there, a great way to lower your monthly costs is with EcoFlow’s Portable Solar Panels. These panels allow you to generate your own electricity and significantly reduce your monthly utility bills.