Travel budget and cost of living in East London (South Africa) how much does a trip cost?

East London travel budget

East London: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to East London

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in East London for 2 people.

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

Cost of living in East London compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in East London in 2025 is 60% 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 East London in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in East London by expense type

Restaurant budget in East London

Lunch

$ 7.3/person
($ 3.6 to $ 16)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 17/person
($ 14 to $ 59)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 4.1/person
($ 4 to $ 4.2)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 2.1 for 500ml
($ 2.1 to $ 4.3)

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67% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 2.8 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 3.6)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Cappuccino

$ 2/cup
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 1.2/can
($ 0.9 to $ 1.4)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Water bottle

$ 0.8/bottle
($ 0.6 to $ 1.4)

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

Hotel and accommodation budget in East London

1-star hotel

$ 64/night
($ 45 to $ 153)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

2-star hotel

$ 55/night
($ 33 to $ 145)

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67% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 75/night
($ 33 to $ 197)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 246

4-star hotel

$ 90/night
($ 53 to $ 211)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 346

5-star hotel

$ 226/night
($ 196 to $ 325)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 565

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 46/month
($ 46 to $ 310)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177

Room with kitchen

$ 76/month
($ 35 to $ 171)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 263

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 90/month
($ 37 to $ 325)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Cottage or guest house

$ 71/month
($ 35 to $ 175)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254

Family room

$ 113/month
($ 38 to $ 262)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218

Supermarket food budget in East London

Milk

$ 1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.2)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 0.9/500g
($ 0.7 to $ 1.2)

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76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 3.4)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 2.3/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 3.5)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 4.1/kg
($ 3 to $ 5.5)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 1.9)

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78% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 1.6/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 1.9)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 1/kg
($ 0.3 to $ 2.9)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 1.6
($ 0.6 to $ 2.9)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in East London

Bus ticket

$ 0.8/ticket
($ 0.8 to $ 1.5)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 0.5/km
($ 0.5 to $ 0.5)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.4)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.2
( $ 1.2)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Car hire

$ 27/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 91)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 81

Leisure activity budget in East London

Cinema

$ 3.6/ticket
($ 3.6 to $ 4.2)

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76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 1.5/hr
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

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93% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in East London

Cigarettes

$ 2.9/pack
($ 2.7 to $ 3)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 48
($ 32 to $ 61)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 57

Summer dress

$ 28
( $ 28)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → Cape Town

$ 1339
(fair price: $ 1010)

Manchester → Cape Town

$ 1049
(fair price: $ 897)

Dublin → Cape Town

$ 1002
(fair price: $ 877)

Montreal → Cape Town

$ 1331
(fair price: $ 1216)

Melbourne → Cape Town

$ 1609
(fair price: $ 1340)

Edinburgh → Cape Town

$ 1116
(fair price: $ 966)