Cost Of Living For a Single Person in Cape Town 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: ZAR
Average monthly spending for a single person or individual in Cape Town
How much money does an individual need in a month to survive in Cape Town?
A single person in Cape Town spends around 34,000 ZAR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a single individual can survive with a monthly budget as low as 4,800 ZAR or as high as 380,000 ZAR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
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.
Single person expenditure to income ratio in Cape Town
Analysing the how affordable it is for an individual to live 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. Individuals usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a single individual ranges between 70% to 80%.
Spending to Income Ratio
88%
79% to 97%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Individuals in Cape Town spend around 88% of their monthly income.
Some individuals spend as low as 79% of their income while some as high as 97%.
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 |
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 |
How do individuals spend their money in Cape Town?
We asked thousands of individuals about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
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 and accomodation expenditure for individuals
Accomodation Cost31%
31% of total expenses on average (19% to 43%)
| LOW | $90 1,700 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $640 12,000 ZAR |
| HIGH | $7,100 130,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Individuals in Cape Town typically spend from 19% to 43% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 31% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 12,000 ZAR with expenditure ranging from 1,700 ZAR to 130,000 ZAR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for individuals
Cost of utilities8%
8% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)
| LOW | $13 250 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $94 1,800 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,000 20,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Cape Town ranges from 4% to 13% of total expenses with 8% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,800 ZAR with 250 ZAR and 20,000 ZAR being the upper and lower limits for a single person.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for individuals
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $19 360 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $130 2,600 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,500 28,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a single person resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a single person would expect to spend from 360 ZAR to 28,000 ZAR in a month on commuting with 2,600 ZAR being the norm for most individuals. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for individuals
Food and Groceries Cost19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $37 710 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $260 5,000 ZAR |
| HIGH | $2,900 55,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical person in a month in Cape Town is 5,000 ZAR. The cost of groceries can range between 710 ZAR to 55,000 ZAR. Individuals spend on average about 19% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 24% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for individuals
Cost of healthcare12%
12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)
| LOW | $19 350 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $130 2,500 ZAR |
| HIGH | $1,500 28,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Individuals in Cape Town allocate 6% to 16% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 12%. The range of medical expenses range from 350 ZAR to 28,000 ZAR with 2,500 ZAR being the norm for most individuals.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for individuals
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $12 220 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $82 1,600 ZAR |
| HIGH | $910 17,000 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 220 ZAR to 17,000 ZAR with 1,600 ZAR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most individuals.
Education and schooling expenditure for individuals
Cost of education and schooling1%
1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)
| LOW | $4.6 88 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $33 620 ZAR |
| HIGH | $370 6,900 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different individuals. On average, education constitutes 1% of the monthly expenditure of individuals with 0.00% and 3% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 620 ZAR per month with 88 ZAR being the minimum spent amount and 6,900 ZAR being the maximum.
Other Expenses21%
21% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $44 830 ZAR |
| AVERAGE | $310 5,900 ZAR |
| HIGH | $3,400 65,000 ZAR |
| Per Month |
Typical saving choices for individuals 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% |
Affordable living in Cape Town
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked individuals one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Cape Town?
Around 68% of surveyed individuals 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.
What percentage of individuals in Cape Town are able to save money and how much can they save?
Percentage of individuals that reported their ability to save money
Almost 75% of surveyed individuals in Cape Town said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 25% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.
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.
How much money do individuals manage to add to their savings?
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.
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 individuals
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Individuals |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 31% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 14% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Individuals that are able to save money can put anywhere from 18% to 40% of their monthly income to their savings, with 29% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly amount of money that individuals can put aside is 12,000 ZAR with 1,400 ZAR and 140,000 ZAR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Emergency Funds For Individuals
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 individuals whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes68%
No32%
Based on the survey, 32% of the individuals living in Cape Town said that they don't have an emergency fund while 68% said that they do.
Saving Challenges in Cape Town
Reasons that make it difficult for individuals 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 individuals 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% of individuals 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.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Cape Town
Percentage of individuals who are in debt
According to the survey, 23% of the individuals 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 a single person'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 individuals 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 goals of individuals 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 individuals 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.
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 individuals 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 individuals 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.
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.
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 / A single person
| 250 ZAR | 1,800 ZAR | 20,000 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 energy and water consumption of individuals is around 1,800 ZAR. The cost of internet and WiFi 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.
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 individuals in Cape Town 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 single people 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%
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 individuals 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 individuals
Individuals' spending on grocery ranges from 710 ZAR to 55,000 ZAR with the location, income being the most determinite factors.
Published: April 18, 2024 Last Update: April 9, 2025
