Cape Town travel budget

Cape Town: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Cape Town

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Cape Town for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 46 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 9.1 per person
  • $ 5.2 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1039* (18270 ZAR)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 92 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 24 per person
  • $ 9.9 per person
  • $ 7.4 per person

Total budget:

$ 2410* (42406 ZAR)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 131 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 41 per person
  • $ 20 per person
  • $ 15 per person

Total budget:

$ 3908* (68754 ZAR)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Cape Town compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Cape Town in 2025 is 46% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Cape Town in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-56%-56%-43%-43%-52%-52%-38%-38%-59%-59%-31%-31%Price variation between Cape Town and United States (countrywide average) in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-70-60-50-40-30-20-100



Local prices in Cape Town by expense type

Restaurant budget in Cape Town

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Cape Town is 56% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Cape Town (compared to United States)2222414113136.66.69.89.823235.55.52.82.8United StatesCape TownLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer02468101214161820222426283032343638404244
Lunch
Lunch
$ 9.8/person
($ 6.1 to $ 16)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 23/person
($ 16 to $ 38)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 5.5/person
($ 4.8 to $ 6.1)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.8 for 500ml
($ 1.5 to $ 4)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 1.9 for 330ml
($ 1.1 to $ 3.4)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.2/cup
($ 1.6 to $ 3)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1.2/can
($ 0.8 to $ 1.9)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.8/bottle
($ 0.6 to $ 1.4)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Cape Town

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Cape Town is 43% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Cape Town (compared to United States)16816824824834834817817825625682821011011611616666112112United StatesCape Town2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 85/night
($ 47 to $ 290)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 82/night
($ 24 to $ 408)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 101/night
($ 25 to $ 532)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 161/night
($ 45 to $ 837)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 348
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 418/night
($ 43 to $ 1845)

26% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 568
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 66/month
($ 26 to $ 155)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 141/month
($ 25 to $ 801)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 265
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 134/month
($ 31 to $ 531)

40% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 225
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 112/month
($ 32 to $ 250)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256
Family room
Family room
$ 255/month
($ 50 to $ 1389)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219

Supermarket food budget in Cape Town

On average, the price of supermarket food in Cape Town is 52% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Cape Town (compared to United States)4.14.114145.35.33.23.22.72.75.55.51.81.81.31.3United StatesCape TownEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 1.3/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.9)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.2/500g
($ 0.8 to $ 1.5)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 1.9/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 2.5)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.7/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 3.6)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 5.5/kg
($ 3.6 to $ 8)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 1.8/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 2.1)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.8/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 2.1)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 2.5)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.1
($ 0.8 to $ 1.3)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Cape Town

On average, the price of transport in Cape Town is 38% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Cape Town (compared to United States)2.72.71.91.91181811.31.31.11.11.41.42525United StatesCape TownBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.3/ticket
($ 0.8 to $ 1.9)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.1/km
($ 0.7 to $ 1.9)

41% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.6)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.5
($ 0.6 to $ 2.8)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 25/24hrs
($ 15 to $ 41)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in Cape Town

On average, budget for leisure activities in Cape Town is 59% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 7.4/ticket
($ 5.3 to $ 11)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 7.4/hr
($ 3 to $ 16)

67% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Cape Town

On average, shopping budget in Cape Town is 31% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 3.4/pack
($ 2.9 to $ 4)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 60
($ 38 to $ 74)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 34
($ 22 to $ 50)

28% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → Cape Town
London → Cape Town
London → Cape Town
$ 1348
(fair price: $ 1017)
Manchester → Cape Town
Manchester → Cape Town
Manchester → Cape Town
$ 1056
(fair price: $ 903)
Dublin → Cape Town
Dublin → Cape Town
Dublin → Cape Town
$ 1008
(fair price: $ 883)
Montreal → Cape Town
Montreal → Cape Town
Montreal → Cape Town
$ 1340
(fair price: $ 1224)
Melbourne → Cape Town
Melbourne → Cape Town
Melbourne → Cape Town
$ 1619
(fair price: $ 1349)
Edinburgh → Cape Town
Edinburgh → Cape Town
Edinburgh → Cape Town
$ 1123
(fair price: $ 972)

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About this information on the cost of living in Cape Town

The information about the cost of living in Cape Town shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Cape Town was updated on 28-04-2025.

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