Austin vs Cape Town: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States and Cape Town, South Africa, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Cape Town is about 46% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($1,600 vs $2,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Cape Town against $1,500 in Austin.
- Austin scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Austin is temperate; Cape Town is mediterranean.
Austin wins 2 of the measured lines; Cape Town wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Cape Town?
Cape Town is cheaper: about $1,600/month against $2,950/month in Austin, roughly 46% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Cape Town?
Austin scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Cape Town.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Cape Town?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cape Town.
| Line | Austin | Cape Town |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $1,600 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $720 |
| Food | $620 | $430 |
| Transport | $90 | $60 |
| Coworking | $200 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 80 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Compare Cape Town with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Austin September 11, 2026, Cape Town November 10, 2026.