Cairo vs Cape Town Cost of Living

Cairo (Egypt) · Overall index 19.8Cape Town (South Africa) · Overall index 33.8

Summary

  • Overall, Cape Town is 71% more expensive than Cairo.
  • Rent in Cape Town is 130% more expensive than in Cairo.
  • Transport in Cape Town is 95% more expensive than in Cairo.
ItemCairoCape TownDiff
Rent+130%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$280$733+162%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$221$426+93%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$613$1,308+113%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$376$960+155%
Groceries+63%
Milk (1L)$0.41$0.61+49%
White bread (500g)$1.11$1.81+63%
Rice (1kg)$1.36$2.25+65%
Eggs (12)$1.44$2.21+53%
Local cheese (1kg)$3.69$6.98+89%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.49$5.3+52%
Beef round (1kg)$5.77$8.1+40%
Apples (1kg)$1.44$2.39+66%
Bananas (1kg)$0.53$1.01+91%
Oranges (1kg)$1.24$2.3+85%
Tomatoes (1kg)$1.62$2.52+56%
Potatoes (1kg)$0.86$1.45+69%
Onions (1kg)$0.77$1.42+84%
Lettuce (1 head)$0.76$1.13+49%
Water (1.5L bottle)$0.73$1.02+40%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$4.67$7.97+71%
Transport+95%
Public transport, one-way ticket$0.5$1.05+110%
Public transport, monthly pass$25$47.5+90%
Taxi, base fare$0.85$1.67+96%
Taxi, per km$0.38$0.68+79%
Gasoline (1L)$0.19$0.39+105%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$5,001$9,475+89%
Dining out+70%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$4.94$8.33+69%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$29.7$51.4+73%
Fast food combo meal$2.86$5.2+82%
Cappuccino$1.34$1.99+49%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$0.65$1.05+62%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$1.51$2.81+86%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$1.73$3.03+75%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.52$0.88+69%
Telecom+38%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$24.5$31+27%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$22.8$35.7+57%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.13$0.19+46%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$5.67$7.16+26%
Utilities & household+69%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$47.7$88.4+85%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.06$0.11+83%
Tap water (1m³)$1.21$2.03+68%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.44$0.73+66%
Waste collection (monthly)$5.67$10.4+83%
Fitness club (monthly)$25.3$40.5+60%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$4.67$6.84+46%
Men's haircut$8.23$14.9+81%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$7.37$11.4+55%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$560$932+66%

3,207 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

Keep your standard of living

Estimates for reference only — not official statistics.

Compare other cities

vs

Frequently compared