3.31/5
839 reviews
Photo by Tobias Reich via Unsplash

Cost of Living in Cape Town

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crime

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Cape Town is widely praised by digital nomads for its affordability, natural beauty, and vibrant lifestyle. Many highlight the excellent hiking opportunities, nearby beaches and vineyards, and top-tier food scene with cheap restaurants and groceries. The friendliness of locals and social atmosphere also stand out. It's a city with a good balance of work and leisure, with reliable coworking spaces and strong mobile internet—although some variance in broadband quality is noted. Common areas to stay include Sea Point, Green Point, Gardens, De Waterkant, and Camps Bay, all offering a mix of comfort and access to amenities.

However, multiple reviews consistently mention safety as a concern. While no one discourages visiting outright, women especially express discomfort walking alone, even in relatively safe neighborhoods. Most recommend using Uber and avoiding walking at night. Crime is an everyday concern and adds mental overhead. Load shedding (rolling power outages) also disrupts work and planning, though coworking spaces help mitigate this. There's visible poverty and inequality, which some reviewers found emotionally challenging, and a few note cultural or social isolation in certain areas.

Overall, if you take basic precautions, Cape Town delivers a unique, fulfilling stay for nomads—especially during the summer months (November to April).

AI-generated summary of reviews
6 months ago

I am here since January 2024 - almost 4 month now, and it is the best place I´ve ever been to - and that means a lot! Cons: Do not hike on your own .- thats ways too dagerous. I highly reommend to hire a car and still take an uber at night.
Pros: There is plenty of wonderful things to do, you will meet lovely, openminded people, the locals are great company and will make you feel as if you belong to them. My Internet is supersafe (I am currently in Seapoint in an Air B&B), the food is fantastic and everything is pretty cheap. Long story short: I can´t see any other cons than the criminality...

2 years ago

I've been in Cape Town a month. The good: it's gorgeous, great hiking and scenery, wide variety of restaurants at affordable prices, lots of great cheap wine, walkable neighborhoods. The bones are there to make this an awesome place to live, and Cape Town knows it and has good nomad infrastructure (wi-fi, coworkings, etc.).
That said, if you're looking to discover Africa, this ain't it. A lot of Cape Town's issues feel very American: inner-city homelessness, gentrification, yawning racial and socioeconomic inequality, car-centrism. Locals of all stripes are a bit standoffish. You will struggle to find a black person who is not a service worker in some trendy spots. If you're used to big US cities or places like Brazil you may not sweat the safety issues, and most violent crime is well away from the touristy areas, but you do really need to be careful.
If you like the hipster-beach-city vibe of the US West Coast or Australia but can't afford it, Cape Town is for you. If you want to get a taste of an African city and not generic yuppie Anglosphere, Nairobi is a much better shout.

2 years ago

FWIW: I’m a 36yo Male. I stayed in Cape Town for 3 months from Oct - Jan 2024

Cape Town is a strange place to write a review for. Crime is as serious as you’ll likely already heard. It does happen and does make the news every so often. I’ve heard first-hand some dreadful things that have happened to locals too so anyone ignorant enough to question the crime is deluded however I encountered very few nomads who experienced any robberies or crime. Thankfully If you have common sense then I can’t imagine anything will happen to you but please research how to keep yourself safe in Cape Town. This mental burden is slightly taxing on a day to day which puts you on edge unfortunately, but for good reason. You’re being smart and aware of your surroundings. Something even more apparent to crime is the homelessness. It’s everywhere. You won’t get hassled too much but you will get approached every so often so be warned.

All that aside it’s a fantastic and beautiful place. The people are lovely. Hiking and kitesurfing is huge here and the variety of food is great. Met some wonderful people in Cape Town too. It really is a place to behold. It’s also incredibly cheap!

Some great places to stay are Sea Point, Gardens, De Waterkant, Green Point. Camps Bay is also nice but a little far away from everyday access to CBD. If you’re into Kitesurfing, Blouberg or Muizenburg.

Administration and organisation doesn’t really exist out here which although you expect it, it doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Don’t be surprised if you never hear back from extending your visa for example. Also loadshedding can cause minor problems which is an added organisational burden but for better or worse, you get used to it.

Go to Cape Town, experience it for yourself. You won’t regret it.

2 years ago

Cape Town is one of the best cities in the world. There are so many things to do in and around the city. The winelands in Stellenbosch and Constantia are a must-do. The people are very friendly. Cafe / restaurant scene is amazing. During my entire 3 month trip, I never once felt unsafe anywhere I went. If you're considering Cape Town, just do it - you won't regret it!

3 years ago

Amazing place. Stayed here for 4.5 months (starting with November) and it was a blast. Everything is great. Just live in a good area and don't walk after sunset, then you'll be fine. Work from a coworking space in order to avoid load shedding. I am certain that this city will be more popular in the following years.

3 years ago

I wanted to share my experience as it's unlike any I've heard prior to my arrival. I've been in Cape Town for a month now and as a 24 yo woman traveling with 2 other friends I must say that I have never felt so unsafe. I stay in waterfront/ green point which are relatively very safe neighborhoods, yet I get stalked every day, both my friends have been robbed in a safe area around lunch time. We have to really watch out where we're walking and what we're wearing. I'd say the crimes are very easily avoided if you take an uber everywhere so you can go from your house to the beach by car, than from your house to table mountain by car etc. I'd say that looks do matter, as 3 tall slim blond girls we're probably the worst demographic to go here. Also if we walk together there are no issues at all, yet walking alone is not really an option. With the exception of a couple streets you can sort-of-safely cross. We've done some charity work on the other side of the city, as its really needed and the human suffering can't be described. All 3 of us have been traveling for 5-10 years and we really thought we'd seen it all. Yet we've never come across such difference: the suffering is next to the luxury and the poor basically sleep on the parking sports where rich people can't even leave their car (cause it will be stolen). The food is amazing, the people are nice, the country is beautiful, its very cheap to live a very good life here, yet I would never recommend this place to any young woman traveling without a male partner or friend.

3 years ago

I stayed here for 40 days and it is now my favourite city. Amazing weather, nature, food, people, music, nightlife, beach, hiking, and so affordable! I didn't feel unsafe at any time, although I was recommended to avoid certain parts of the city late at night (but this is like any big city tbh...). Overall 11/10 rating :) agreed with other review regarding cheap uber - it's amazing!

3 years ago

Really shocked by the safety number here. Cape Town is very safe if you act normal. The crime happens in the townships and not in the cities. Nothing to be afraid of in Cape Town as long as you're not stupid.

3 years ago

I really enjoyed Cape Town, and was there for May/June. Overall it was an incredible experience for me, a real adventure. I'd highly recommend.
Pros -It's one of the most beautiful cities on earth, cheap compared to Europe, beaches, surfing, vineyards, wildlife (I did cage shark diving and a safari in Addo), world class hiking (do lions head sunrise and sunset) also uber is cheap (£1.50 for most of my rides).
Negatives - are the crime, depressing wealth/racial inequality, not recommended to go out alone at night, and in winter goes dark at 6pm, so go in summer. The nomad community isn't big but there is a FB group so join this. Also I'd say a co working space is necessary due to load shedding, and the wifi was on average 12-15mbps for me (this review below about 550mbps is inaccurate, and I worked in a couple of co working spaces)

3 years ago

This place should be number 1 on the Nomad list. Can’t fathom why the internet score is so low! We got anywhere from 100mbps upload and download in most cafe’s to 550mbps up and download in our apartment! The internet is blazing fast! The cost of living is great compared to places like Mexico which is becoming so expensive. I’d say it’s on par with COL in Canggu. The people are super friendly, the food is incredible and cheap! The views and endless amounts of things to do just blows your mind. The weather is IMO some of the best in the world between the months of November to April. We stayed in Sea Point, Die Waterkant, and Camps Bay and we felt totally safe here. Obviously like most places. Don’t walk to bad places at night, stay with the crowds and you’ll be fine. Enjoy Cape Town🌞

4 years ago

I stayed in Cape Town for 3 months end of 2021 and loved every minute of it. We rented a villa in Camps Bay = the BEST suburb ever. I felt like I was on a tropical island with the beach on one side and the mountain with a lot of glorious hikes on the other. Internet speed was amazing, uncapped fibre with up to 100mbps. We mostly cooked from home as the grocery store was walking distance, but the restaurants in Cape Town is so so good - and so cheap too. Crime was not an issue, we never felt unsafe, but we are all streetwise so would not walk anywhere stupid or do stupid things to attract attention. The crime in Camps Bay is non violent, mostly petty crime too. I will make this a regular stop on my nomadic work journey.

4 years ago

I stayed in Cape Town for 5 months and loved every minute of it. The work life balance is fantastic, after work there's the beach or countless options to walk or hike, everything accessible from the middle of the city. Wifi is so so, but never had an issue to work with a sim card / mobile phone hotspot as a backup. So many great restaurants and coffee shops. I mostly worked from coffee shops, but there are also lots of co working spaces. Safety is an issue, yes, but you just have to be smart (ie don't walk alone after dark, don't flash your valuables). Got myself a pepper spray and had it with me at all times, but I'm more vulnerable as a solo female. Best neighborhoods to stay in are Sea Point and Green Point. I'm on a German salary and found it pretty cheap. People are super friendly. It's one of the greatest l cities in the world to me and I will certainly go back.

5 years ago

Beautiful place but the crime is really bad. You can't really enjoy it at night and you have to be constantly aware of your surroundings. Im not sure how this ended up in the top 10 on NomadList.

6 years ago

Currently living here.
There is lovely nature but unfortunately tons of litter every where. Good restaurants which you can only enjoy in the day because of crime, not wise to go out at night. Internet is also often not fast or not at all with load shedding happening. Load shedding is when they switch electricity off. From a money point of view I don't find it cheap. Only the eating out part is cheaper than Vienna.

6 years ago

Totaled almost 4 months here last year. Amazing nature and hiking nearby if that's your thing - you should definitely consider visiting. Probably most beautiful city on Earth. The wealth divide can be depressing and there are serious issues with crime, but with some vigilance and street smarts you can mostly avoid it. It is also a surprisingly affordable place and has some great food options.

6 years ago

~1 year ago I lived here. There's plenty of things to do with the most beautiful nature nearby and lots of cafes to work from with decent wifi. Sadly crime is bad, don't go out when it's dark and in certain areas or you will get at a minimum robbed.

6 years ago

✅ Very affordable

✅ Friendly people

✅ Great food scene

✅ Fast internet

✅ Beautiful nature and scenery

✅ Lots to do (hiking, surfing, wine, etc.)

✅ Good coworking options

✅ Lots of fun stuff to do

✅ Warm now

✅ Warm in the spring

✅ Good air quality on average

✅ Nomads.com members liked going here

✅ Many Nomads.com members here all year round

✅ Spacious and not crowded

✅ Easy to make friends

✅ High quality of education

✅ Good hospitals

✅ Great freedom of speech

✅ Democratic

✅ Everyone speaks English

✅ Safe for women

✅ Family friendly

✅ Very friendly to LGBTQ+

✅ Not many people smoke tobacco

✅ (Medical) marijuana MAY be legal, unenforced or decriminalized (always double check this)

❌ Crime and safety concerns

❌ Load shedding / power outages

❌ Visible inequality and homelessness

❌ Expensive

❌ Not safe at all

❌ Gets cold in the summer

❌ Difficult to do business

❌ Roads can be dangerous

❌ High alcohol consumption

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Feels (median)

22°C / 72°F mild

21°C / 70°F mild

17°C / 63°F cool

16°C / 61°F cool

13°C / 55°F cool

14°C / 57°F cool

18°C / 64°F cool

21°C / 70°F mild

Real (median)

22°C / 72°F
mild

21°C / 70°F
mild

17°C / 62°F
cool

16°C / 60°F
cool

16°C / 61°F
cool

15°C / 59°F
cool

14°C / 56°F
cool

15°C / 58°F
cool

18°C / 64°F
cool

20°C / 68°F
mild

Humidity

nice
74%

nice
71%

nice
74%

damp
76%

damp
78%

damp
73%

nice
70%

damp
74%

nice
69%

nice
67%

nice
69%

nice
70%

Most common

☀️ Clear

Rain

dry
10mm

dry
8mm

dry
18mm

dry
2mm

rainy
79mm

rainy
112mm

rainy
102mm

rainy
95mm

dry
21mm

dry
36mm

dry
33mm

dry
19mm

Cloud

pockets
13%

pockets
12%

pockets
27%

pockets
24%

pockets
31%

pockets
30%

pockets
35%

pockets
31%

pockets
35%

pockets
30%

pockets
31%

Air quality

clean
19 US AQI

clean
14 US AQI

clean
11 US AQI

clean
13 US AQI

clean
12 US AQI

clean
16 US AQI

clean
15 US AQI

clean
17 US AQI

clean
43 US AQI

clean
20 US AQI

clean
18 US AQI

Sun

avoid sun
12 UVI

avoid sun
11 UVI

avoid sun
7 UVI

seek shade
5 UVI

seek shade
3 UVI

seek shade
4 UVI

seek shade
5 UVI

avoid sun
7 UVI

avoid sun
8 UVI

avoid sun
9 UVI

Remote workers

2,650 people

1,725 people

1,176 people

1,133 people

800 people

667 people

500 people

571 people

1,000 people

1,447 people

1,789 people

1,552 people

Green is good. Red is bad. Values shown are the medians of all daily highs in a month based on past few years, not necessarily current numbers. Remote worker count is estimated based on the total amount of trips logged by Nomads.com members.

If you'd like to filter destinations based on their climate, try Nomads.com's Climate Finder

Based on Cape Town's cost of living, here's selected remote jobs that would cover your costs:

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⭐️ OverallAll

💵 Cost 🙂 Okay

📡 InternetWiFi 🙂 Good

👍 Liked good

👮 Safety great

Tap to open

🌤 Feels 5° 41° 6° 42° AQI 46

✈️20h

$2,994 / mo

🌇 Also went here209 people

2,800 remote workers in Cape Town now, of which 11+ members checked in (some members are set to private)

Members who will be here soon

Members who have been here

Values shown are estimated visits by traveling remote workers based on the total amount of trips logged by Nomads.com members. Visits to a place are only counted once per year per user, even if they visit more in that year. Visits are also normalized by overall trips added per month on the site, so if site usage goes up or down it does not affect trends. Not all digital nomads are on Nomads.com, and not all Nomads.com members log their trips. So the data is only indicative.

The chart below shows visitors by nationality normalized for population size. This means we take all trips logged on Nomads.com, check which country of origin the user is from, then divide that total visit count by the country of origin's population. If we didn't, it'd just show the big countries like US, Brazil and India always on top. Instead, this shows which nationalities worldwide proportionally visit more or less, which is more useful.

⭐️ Total score	3.31/5 (Rank #13) 839 reviews
❤️ Liked by members	👍24 liked it 👎4 disliked it
👍 Quality of life score	Good
👶 Family score	Good
🎒 Community score	Okay
🤯 Overcrowding score	1% is nomad here
💵 Cost	🙂 Okay: $2,622 / mo
📡 Internet	😡 Slow: 10 Mbps (avg)
😝 Fun	Good
⛅️ Temperature (now)	🌞 Perfect: 22°C72°F (feels 22°C72°F)
💦 Humidity (now)	😊 Comfy: 66%
❄️ % of buildings with AC	🥵 Low: 35%
💨 Air quality (now)	🌱 Good: 37 US AQI
💨 Air quality (annual)	🌱 Great: 16 US AQI
👌 Safety	Bad
👩 Safe for women	Okay
🌈 Safe for LGBTQ+	Great
🤮 Food safety*	Good
👮‍♀️ Lack of crime*	Very bad
🤝 Lack of racism*	Okay
🎓 Education level*	Mediocre
⚡️ Power grid	Okay
🌊 Vulnerability to climate change	Great
💰 Income level*	Very low: $425 / mo
🙊 English speaking*	Great
😤 People density	🧘‍♀️ Low density: 4k ppl/km² (1 per 16x16m)
🚶 Walkability	Great
🚦 Traffic safety*	Bad
✈️ Airline scores*	Good
🧳 Lost luggage*	Bad
🏥 Hospitals	Good
😄 Happiness*	Bad
🍸 Nightlife	Good
📶 Free WiFi in city	Okay
🖥 Places to work from	Great
❄️ A/C or heating	Bad
😁 Friendly to foreigners	Good
🗯 Freedom of speech*	Good
🎅 Startup Score	Okay

🌍 Continent	Africa
🚩 Country	South Africa
🗓️ Average trip length	31 days
📡 Internet speed (avg)	10 Mbps
⛅️ Weather (now)	🌤 22°C 72°F + 😊 Comfy (66%) = feels 22°C 72°F
💨 Air quality (now)	👍 37 US AQI 🍃 OK
💨 Air quality (annual avg)	👍 16 US AQI
🔌 Power	230V 50Hz
🧔 Best neighborhood to stay	Gardens
🚀 Upcoming neighborhood	Foreshore
🚕 Best taxi app*	Uber
🚑 Travel medical insurance	Safetywing
💸 100 ZAR in USD	USD 6.08
🏧 Suggested ATM take out:	ZAR 1,000 = USD 61
💸 Tipping	Yes, 12.50%
💳 Cashless	💳 Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
💻 Best coworking space	88mph
💻 Best alt. coworking space	Daddyo
🚰 Tap water	👌 Yes, safe to drink
♻️ Return rate	👍15% of visitors return
📸 Visitors per year	1,370,000 visitors
📸 Tourists now	26,256 tourists
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Population	430,000 people
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 GDP per capita*	$5,105 / year
😤 Population density	🧘‍♀️ not busy: 16x16m (256m²) per person
👫 Gender ratio (population)	👨 46% 👱‍♀️ 54%
👫 Gender ratio (young adults)	👨 49% 👱‍♀️ 51%
👫 Gender ratio (nomads)	👨 73% 👱‍♀️ 27%
🏞 Foreign land ownership allowed	Yes
⛪️ Religious government	Non-religious
💻 Online electronics shop	Takealot
🏠 Apartment listings	GumTree
✈️ Best short-haul air carrier	Mango

💵 Cost of living for nomad	$2,622 / month
💵 Cost of living for expat	$1,602 / month
💵 Cost of living for family	$2,828 / month
💵 Cost of living for local	$808 / month
🏨 Hotel (median price)	$1,552 / month
🏡 Airbnb (median price)	$2,399 / month
🏠 1br studio rent in center	$534 / month
🏠 Median home price	$179,618
🏨 Hotel (median price)	$73 / night
🏠 Airbnb (median price)	$79 / night
🏢 Coworking hot desk	$221 / month
🍛 Dinner	$9
🥤 Coca-Cola (0.3L)	$2
🍺 Beer in cafe (0.5L)	$5
☕️ Coffee in cafe	$2
👩‍🏫 International school	$4,463 / year
📱 Mobile data (~10GB)	$9 / month
🚕 Taxi price (avg trip ~3km/2mi)	$3 / trip