πA single person spends $1,045 per month in Jeffreys Bay vs $1,251 in Cape Town, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,547 per month in Jeffreys Bay vs $2,000 in Cape Town, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,049 per month in Jeffreys Bay vs $2,749 in Cape Town, rent included.
πJeffreys Bay is about 16% cheaper than Cape Town, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Jeffreys Bay and Cape Town are more affordable than the global median β Jeffreys Bay22% lower, Cape Town6% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.56RΒ 90.1
$10.76RΒ 174
-48.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.27RΒ 555
$44.89RΒ 727
-23.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.36RΒ 86.7
$4.92RΒ 79.7
8.94%
Cappuccino
$1.78RΒ 28.83
$2.02RΒ 32.69
-11.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69RΒ 11.09
$1.16RΒ 18.80
-40.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96RΒ 15.54
$0.84RΒ 13.58
14.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80RΒ 29.18
$2.81RΒ 45.50
-35.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86RΒ 30.05
$2.45RΒ 39.63
-24.08%
π Groceries & Markets
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.07RΒ 17.39
$1.16RΒ 18.78
-7.76%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99RΒ 16.06
$1.09RΒ 17.71
-9.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71RΒ 27.74
$1.89RΒ 30.63
-9.52%
Eggs
$2.74RΒ 44.27
$2.46RΒ 39.81
11.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.84RΒ 94.6
$8.79RΒ 142
-33.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.69RΒ 75.9
$5.33RΒ 86.3
-12.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.82RΒ 110
$7.34RΒ 119
-7.08%
Apples(1kg)
$1.89RΒ 30.53
$1.49RΒ 24.17
26.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46RΒ 23.64
$1.47RΒ 23.81
-0.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55RΒ 25.03
$1.50RΒ 24.34
3.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.65RΒ 26.72
$1.53RΒ 24.74
7.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.36RΒ 22.03
$1.09RΒ 17.59
24.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19RΒ 19.27
$1.22RΒ 19.80
-2.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08RΒ 17.53
$1.08RΒ 17.55
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.04RΒ 16.81
$0.95RΒ 15.30
9.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.75RΒ 44.46
$3.13RΒ 50.6
-12.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.97RΒ 64.3
$6.36RΒ 103
-37.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42RΒ 22.94
$1.36RΒ 22.03
4.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77RΒ 28.58
$1.68RΒ 27.15
5.36%
π Getting Around
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.61RΒ 26.03
$0.99RΒ 16.03
62.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$47.34RΒ 766
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15RΒ 18.66
$1.37RΒ 22.09
-16.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88RΒ 14.21
$0.98RΒ 15.89
-10.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.92RΒ 63.4
$4.44RΒ 71.9
-11.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25RΒ 20.21
$1.25RΒ 20.23
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6KRΒ 349.0K
$21.1KRΒ 341.2K
2.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0KRΒ 388.2K
$24.1KRΒ 389.7K
-0.38%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$140RΒ 2,259
$99.5RΒ 1,611
40.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$55.2RΒ 893
$32.81RΒ 531
68.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.5RΒ 964
$40.72RΒ 659
46.19%
π Sport & Entertainment
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.45RΒ 509
$41.43RΒ 671
-24.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.44RΒ 88.0
$7.94RΒ 128
-31.49%
Cinema Ticket
$6.59RΒ 107
$6.78RΒ 110
-2.80%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$129RΒ 2,094
$216RΒ 3,500
-40.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,424RΒ 71.6K
$5,206RΒ 84.3K
-15.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4RΒ 816
$56.1RΒ 908
-10.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.83RΒ 515
$32.38RΒ 524
-1.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.0RΒ 1,408
$113RΒ 1,822
-22.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.2RΒ 1,314
$83.4RΒ 1,349
-2.59%
π Accommodation & Living
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$364RΒ 5,886
$769RΒ 12.4K
-52.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$320RΒ 5,186
$525RΒ 8,494
-38.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$699RΒ 11.3K
$1,418RΒ 23.0K
-50.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$588RΒ 9,516
$1,009RΒ 16.3K
-41.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$822RΒ 13.3K
$2,374RΒ 38.4K
-65.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$725RΒ 11.7K
$1,511RΒ 24.5K
-52.04%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Jeffreys Bay
Cape Town
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,702RΒ 27.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.51
11.77
-2.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jeffreys Bay: June 15, 2026
Last update for Cape Town: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $364 in Jeffreys Bay versus $769 in Cape Town. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $34.00 in Jeffreys Bay versus $45.00 in Cape Town. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $174 vs $189 β making Jeffreys Bay the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Jeffreys Bay vs Cape Town: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jeffreys Bay or Cape Town?
Cape Town costs about 20% more than Jeffreys Bay, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Jeffreys Bay vs Cape Town?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,568 per month in Jeffreys Bay and $1,877 in Cape Town. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Jeffreys Bay or Cape Town?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jeffreys Bay, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Jeffreys Bay compared to Cape Town?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,045 in Jeffreys Bay and $1,251 in Cape Town. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Jeffreys Bay and Cape Town?
Kindergarten costs $129 per month in Jeffreys Bay and $216 in Cape Town. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Jeffreys Bay or Cape Town?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jeffreys Bay, where all-in costs run around $1,045, than in Cape Town at $1,251. In Jeffreys Bay it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cape Town it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Jeffreys Bay or Cape Town?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jeffreys Bay costs $1,045 versus $1,251 in Cape Town. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Jeffreys Bay or Cape Town?
If budget matters most, go with Jeffreys Bay. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cape Town makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Jeffreys Bay vs other spots: cost of living compared