Cape Townis 3% cheaper — BDI "Pricey" (35/10) vs Johannesburg "Fair" (40/10). Dorms avg $23/night vs $19/night.
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇿🇦 Johannesburg | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $35 cheaper | $36 | $1/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $55 | $54 cheaper | $1/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $85 | $80 cheaper | $5/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇿🇦 Johannesburg |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $11.99 | $11.99 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $23.98 | $21.15 12% less |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $3 | $2.70 10% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $2.36 | $2.36 |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $1.20 33% less | $1.80 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇿🇦▼
Cape Town
South Africa
35
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $23/night). Strong hostel scene (15 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelKhaya Kite & Yoga (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$23/night
Total hostels15
🇿🇦▼
Johannesburg
South Africa
40
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $19/night). Strong hostel scene (10 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelMelville House (9.7)
Annual dorm avg$19/night
Total hostels10
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Cape Town & Johannesburg
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇿🇦 Cape Town
No attraction data
🇿🇦 Johannesburg
1. NasrecFree
2. Everard Read GalleryFree
3. Indian War MemorialFree
4. John Vorster Square 1971 - 1990Free
5. Koningin Elizabethbrug 1953Free
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Cape Town or Johannesburg cheaper for backpackers?+
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