Cape Town vs Tokyo: cost of living for digital nomads
Cape Town, South Africa and Tokyo, Japan, 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 43% cheaper than Tokyo for a month of nomad living ($1,600 vs $2,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Cape Town against $1,300 in Tokyo.
- Tokyo scores higher on safety (10/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Tokyo: 230 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Cape Town is mediterranean; Tokyo is temperate.
Cape Town wins 6 of the measured lines; Tokyo wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cape Town or Tokyo?
Cape Town is cheaper: about $1,600/month against $2,800/month in Tokyo, roughly 43% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cape Town or Tokyo?
Tokyo scores higher on safety: 10/10 against 6/10 for Cape Town.
Which has faster internet, Cape Town or Tokyo?
Tokyo has faster typical internet: 230 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cape Town.
| Line | Cape Town | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,600 | $2,800 |
| Rent | $720 | $1,300 |
| Food | $430 | $650 |
| Transport | $60 | $120 |
| Coworking | $130 | $200 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 10/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 230 |
| Climate | mediterranean | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
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): Cape Town November 10, 2026, Tokyo November 11, 2026.