Cost Of Living in Cape Town 2025
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Cape Town
Whether you're living in Cape Town or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: ZAR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single
Currency: ZAR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple
Currency: ZAR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family
Currency: ZAR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student
Currency: ZAR
How do people spend their money in Cape Town?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure25%
25% of total expenses on average (14% to 33%)
| LOW | $59 1,100 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $590 11,000 ZAR |
| HIGH | $8,800 170,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
People living in Cape Town typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 11,000 ZAR with expenditure ranging from 1,100 ZAR to 170,000 ZAR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)
| LOW | $8.7 170 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $87 1,700 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,300 25,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Cape Town ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,700 ZAR with 170 ZAR and 25,000 ZAR being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $19 350 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $190 3,500 ZAR |
| HIGH | $2,800 53,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 350 ZAR to 53,000 ZAR on commuting with 3,500 ZAR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food and Groceries Cost28%
28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)
| LOW | $46 870 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $460 8,700 ZAR |
| HIGH | $6,800 130,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Cape Town is 8,700 ZAR. The cost of groceries can range between 870 ZAR to 130,000 ZAR. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services10%
10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $11 220 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $110 2,200 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,700 32,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
People in Cape Town allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 220 ZAR to 32,000 ZAR with 2,200 ZAR being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 9%)
| LOW | $7.3 140 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $73 1,400 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,100 21,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 140 ZAR to 21,000 ZAR with 1,400 ZAR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $11 210 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $110 2,100 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,600 31,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 2,100 ZAR per month with 210 ZAR being the minimum spent amount and 31,000 ZAR being the maximum.
Other Expenses13%
13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
| LOW | $25 470 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $250 4,700 ZAR |
| HIGH | $3,700 71,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Low-cost alternatives in Cape Town
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options61%
Few low-cost options39%
Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Cape Town have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes68%
No32%
Based on the survey, 32% of the people living in Cape Town said that they don't have an emergency fund while 68% said that they do.
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Cape Town is 34,000 ZAR. Expenses can range from 4,800 ZAR at the minimum level to 380,000 ZAR at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Cape Town is 51,000 ZAR. Expenditure can range from 7,800 ZAR to 470,000 ZAR per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Cape Town is 60,000 ZAR per month. Families spend anywhere from 12,000 ZAR to 600,000 ZAR.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Cape Town is 24,000 ZAR. Students spend from 3,700 ZAR to 270,000 ZAR per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Typical saving choices for people in Cape Town
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 12% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 19% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 5% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Prices and cost of goods and services in Cape Town
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 290 ZAR | 440 ZAR | 1,800 ZAR |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 110,000 ZAR | 210,000 ZAR | 280,000 ZAR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
| 250 ZAR | 1,800 ZAR | 20,000 ZAR |
Utility Bill - Couple
| 260 ZAR | 1,900 ZAR | 22,000 ZAR |
Utility Bill - Family
| 500 ZAR | 2,500 ZAR | 25,000 ZAR |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
| 260 ZAR | 360 ZAR | 1,200 ZAR |
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
| 230 ZAR | 290 ZAR | 1,500 ZAR |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 4,200 ZAR | 6,300 ZAR | 17,000 ZAR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 6,500 ZAR | 10,000 ZAR | 26,000 ZAR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 8,900 ZAR | 13,000 ZAR | 35,000 ZAR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 890,000 ZAR | 1.3M ZAR | 2.7M ZAR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1.1M ZAR | 1.8M ZAR | 6.8M ZAR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1.7M ZAR | 5.1M ZAR | 10M ZAR |
| $89,000 | $270,000 | $530,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 4,400 ZAR | 5,400 ZAR | 7,300 ZAR |
Double Bed
| 3,000 ZAR | 4,500 ZAR | 5,600 ZAR |
Single Bed
| 2,700 ZAR | 3,500 ZAR | 4,600 ZAR |
Living Room
| 5,200 ZAR | 6,700 ZAR | 23,000 ZAR |
Dining Table
| 2,200 ZAR | 2,900 ZAR | 5,400 ZAR |
Sofa or Couch
| 3,000 ZAR | 4,100 ZAR | 8,900 ZAR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 3,000 ZAR | 4,500 ZAR | 9,000 ZAR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 2,700 ZAR | 4,200 ZAR | 5,700 ZAR |
Washing Machine
| 3,300 ZAR | 4,700 ZAR | 8,500 ZAR |
Stove or Cooker
| 3,100 ZAR | 4,000 ZAR | 5,500 ZAR |
Mobile Phone
| 3,700 ZAR | 4,500 ZAR | 6,400 ZAR |
Laptop or Computer
| 4,200 ZAR | 5,100 ZAR | 9,200 ZAR |
Saving Challenges in Cape Town
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Cape Town. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 15% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 11% |
| Impulsive Spending | 11% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 6% |
| Will do it later | 19% |
| Inflation | 12% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
How much money can you save in Cape Town every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Cape Town manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 75% of the surveyed people in Cape Town said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 25% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Cape Town
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 75% | 25% |
| Couples | 73% | 27% |
| Families | 64% | 36% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,500 ZAR
$77 | 15,000 ZAR
$770 | 220,000 ZAR
$12,000 |
For most people, 14% to 38% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 25% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 15,000 ZAR on average with savings ranging from 1,500 ZAR to 220,000 ZAR.
75% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 73% of couples said the same. 64% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Cape Town?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,400 ZAR
$73 | 12,000 ZAR
$660 | 140,000 ZAR
$7,300 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 31% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 14% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 18% to 40% of their monthly income to savings, with 29% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 12,000 ZAR with 1,400 ZAR and 140,000 ZAR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
2,800 ZAR
$150 | 18,000 ZAR
$970 | 170,000 ZAR
$9,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 35% |
| 10% - 20% | 26% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 9% |
| 40% - 50% | 8% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 16% to 40% of their monthly income, with 28% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 18,000 ZAR with 2,800 ZAR and 170,000 ZAR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
4,400 ZAR
$230 | 22,000 ZAR
$1,200 | 220,000 ZAR
$12,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 38% |
| 10% - 20% | 29% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 6% |
| 40% - 50% | 5% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Cape Town can save anywhere between 13% to 34% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 22,000 ZAR with 4,400 ZAR and 220,000 ZAR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Cape Town
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Cape Town?
Around 68% of surveyed residents think that living in Cape Town is affordable with proper budgeting while 32% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Cape Town
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
95%
86% to 110%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 5% |
| 50% - 60% | 10% |
| 60% - 70% | 16% |
| 70% - 80% | 25% |
| 80% - 90% | 18% |
| 90% - 100% | 10% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Cape Town is 95%
This means that on average, people spend around 95% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
88%
Spending-Income-Ratio
79%
97%
Couple
95%
Spending-Income-Ratio
86%
110%
Family
98%
Spending-Income-Ratio
88%
110%
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Cape Town
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 23% of the people in Cape Town have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 77% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Cape Town
Debt to income ratio
28%
19% to 37%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of the people's monthly income in Cape Town goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 15% |
| 40% - 50% | 13% |
| 30% - 40% | 15% |
| 20% - 30% | 12% |
| 10% - 20% | 15% |
| 0% - 10% | 26% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Cape Town pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 15% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Cape Town
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 10% |
| Auto Loan | 18% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 28% |
| Personal Loan | 40% |
10% of debtors in Cape Town confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 18% of people and personal loans rose at 40%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Cape Town.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Cape Town
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 52% |
| Once a year | 23% |
| Twice a year | 12% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy63%
We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 37% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 63% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 27% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 73% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance27%
Easily manages finances73%
Financial goals of people in Cape Town
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Cape Town, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 38% |
| Retirement Savings | 9% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 7% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 8% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 12% |
| Financial Independence | 6% |
Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 38% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Cape Town
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Cape Town
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 4,200 ZAR | 6,300 ZAR | 17,000 ZAR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 6,500 ZAR | 10,000 ZAR | 26,000 ZAR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 8,900 ZAR | 13,000 ZAR | 35,000 ZAR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 11,000 ZAR | 18,000 ZAR | 50,000 ZAR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 21,000 ZAR | 52,000 ZAR | 100,000 ZAR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 17,000 ZAR | 25,000 ZAR | 73,000 ZAR |
House monthly rent cost
| 21,000 ZAR | 52,000 ZAR | 100,000 ZAR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 25,000 ZAR | 63,000 ZAR | 100,000 ZAR |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Cape Town ranges between 4,200 ZAR and 17,000 ZAR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 6,500 ZAR to 26,000 ZAR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 8,900 ZAR and 35,000 ZAR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 11,000 ZAR to 50,000 ZAR. The average rent of a townhouse in Cape Town is around 25,000 ZAR while house rental costs can be as high as 52,000 ZAR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 25,000 ZAR to 100,000 ZAR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Cape Town
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 890,000 ZAR | 1.3M ZAR | 2.7M ZAR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 1.1M ZAR | 1.8M ZAR | 6.8M ZAR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 1.7M ZAR | 5.1M ZAR | 10M ZAR |
| $89,000 | $270,000 | $530,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 5.8M ZAR | 8.7M ZAR | 26M ZAR |
Townhouse price
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Cape Town can range from 890,000 ZAR to 2.7M ZAR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.1M ZAR to 6.8M ZAR. A villa can cost you 61M ZAR on average with prices ranging from 11M ZAR to 91M ZAR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Cape Town will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 57 | x166 monthly income | 289 |
Property prices in Cape Town can be x166 to x289 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x166 multiples of the average monthly salary in Cape Town.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Cape Town is around 39%. This means that people pay 39% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 27% to 51% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
30% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 75 ZAR | 750 ZAR | 11,000 ZAR |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Cape Town
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Cape Town and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Cape Town:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 84,000 ZAR |
| 30 | 170,000 ZAR |
| 35 | 310,000 ZAR |
| 40 | 450,000 ZAR |
| 45 | 630,000 ZAR |
| 50 | 900,000 ZAR |
| 55 | 1.1M ZAR |
| 60 | 1.4M ZAR |
| 65 | 1.6M ZAR |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 12% |
| Savings | 23% |
| Investments | 12% |
| Social Security | 7% |
| Annuities | 7% |
| Part-time Job | 13% |
| Real Estate | 18% |
| Dividends and Interest | 7% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Cape Town 2,800 ZAR
$150 | 25,000 ZAR
$1,300 | 280,000 ZAR
$15,000 |
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Cape Town
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Cape Town
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Cape Town is approximatly 88 ZAR with meal cost ranging from 44 ZAR to 150 ZAR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 150 ZAR and 460 ZAR with 230 ZAR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Cape Town.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 290 ZAR | 440 ZAR | 1,800 ZAR |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 290 ZAR to 1,800 ZAR with the average cost being 440 ZAR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Cape Town.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Cape Town is around 60 ZAR. Price ranges between 38 ZAR and 90 ZAR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Cape Town is 37 ZAR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 46 ZAR and the minimum being 31 ZAR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 29 ZAR on average with 22 ZAR and 44 ZAR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Cape Town is between 52 ZAR and 96 ZAR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 68 ZAR.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 95 ZAR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Cape Town costs around 32 ZAR on average with prices rangeing between 23 ZAR and 45 ZAR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 8.8 ZAR to 22 ZAR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 21 ZAR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Cape Town is around 29%. This means that people spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 36% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group
A single person living alone spends approximately 5,000 ZAR per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 710 ZAR and 55,000 ZAR depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 6,300 ZAR per month. That number can be get as low as 970 ZAR or a high as 58,000 ZAR. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 1,900 ZAR to 94,000 ZAR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Cape Town
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Cape Town
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual
| 250 ZAR | 1,800 ZAR | 20,000 ZAR |
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
| 260 ZAR | 1,900 ZAR | 22,000 ZAR |
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 500 ZAR | 2,500 ZAR | 25,000 ZAR |
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Cape Town ranges between 250 ZAR and 20,000 ZAR with average being 1,800 ZAR, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 1,900 ZAR with 260 ZAR and 22,000 ZAR being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 2,500 ZAR. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 230 ZAR to 610 ZAR with 460 ZAR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 250 ZAR but can range between 150 ZAR and 750 ZAR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Cape Town is around 5.9%. This means that people pay 5.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Cost of living comparison by city
#1 Bloemfontein
The average cost of living in Bloemfontein is 20,000 ZAR, which is 46% less than the country average. Bloemfontein is ranked first in South Africa in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#2 Port Elizabeth
The average cost of living in Port Elizabeth is 23,000 ZAR, which is 38% less than the country average. Port Elizabeth is ranked second in South Africa in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#3 Pretoria
The average cost of living in Pretoria is 27,000 ZAR, which is 27% less than the country average. Pretoria is ranked third in South Africa in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#4 Johannesburg
The average cost of living in Johannesburg is 28,000 ZAR, which is 24% less than the country average. Johannesburg is ranked fourth in South Africa in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#5 Durban
The average cost of living in Durban is 32,000 ZAR, which is 14% less than the country average. Durban is ranked fifth in South Africa in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#6 Cape Town
The average cost of living in Cape Town is 37,000 ZAR, which is same as the country average. Cape Town is ranked sixth in South Africa in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
Published: September 19, 2024 Last Update: April 21, 2025
