City Comparison
Cape Town vs Johannesburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Johannesburg is ~7% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Cape Town
South Africa
COL+Rent
28.5
Rent Index
15.3
Groceries
36.5
Restaurant
40.5
Johannesburg
South Africa
COL+Rent
26.5
Rent Index
14
Groceries
34.2
Restaurant
37.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Cape Town | Johannesburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $667 | $610 | +$57 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $460 | $421 | +$39 |
| Groceries | $218 | $205 | +$13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16 | $15 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $36 | $34 | +$2 |
| Utilities | $100 | $94 | +$6 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Cape Town | Johannesburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $813/mo | $753/mo |
| Typical | $1,261/mo | $1,168/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,645/mo | $1,526/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Cape Town | ≈ in Johannesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,395/mo | -$105 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,860/mo | -$140 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,789/mo | -$211 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Town or Johannesburg cheaper to live in?
Johannesburg is approximately 7% cheaper overall. Cape Town's COL+Rent Index is 28.5 vs Johannesburg's 26.5 (NYC = 100).
How much is rent in Cape Town vs Johannesburg?
A 1BR in Cape Town city center costs ~$667/mo vs $610/mo in Johannesburg. Outside the center: $460 vs $421.
What is $2,000/month in Cape Town worth in Johannesburg?
Using cost-of-living adjustment, $2,000/month in Cape Town has the purchasing power of approximately $1,860/month in Johannesburg.
Are groceries cheaper in Cape Town or Johannesburg?
Monthly groceries cost approximately $218 in Cape Town vs $205 in Johannesburg. Groceries Index: 36.5 vs 34.2 (NYC = 100).