Cape Town Market Data

Explore compensation benchmarks, tax liabilities, and cost of living adjustments for professionals in Cape Town.

About Cape Town

Creative economy and fintech firms thrive alongside lifestyle appeal.

Cape Town represents a growing economic centerin South Africa, attracting professionals from around the world. The city's strategic location, business-friendly environment, and quality of life make it an attractive destination for career growth and wealth accumulation.

Key Market Indicators

Cost of Living

Index score (100 = global average)

Rent Index

Housing cost indicator

Median Income

R 45 000

Estimated professional median

Tax System in South Africa

South Africa levies progressive personal taxes administered by SARS alongside UIF and skills development levies. Medical credits reduce liabilities for many professionals.

Example Calculation

For a professional earning R 45 000 annually in Cape Town:

Gross Income

R 45 000

Net Income

R 44 100

Tax Rate

2.0%

Monthly Take-Home

R 3 675

Popular Salary Benchmarks

Explore compensation data for key roles in Cape Town

View All

AI Engineer

R 180 000

Estimated base salary

Machine Learning Researcher

R 190 000

Estimated base salary

Product Manager

Tech

R 135 000

Estimated base salary

Fintech Product Manager

Tech

R 150 000

Estimated base salary

Data Engineering Manager

Tech

R 155 000

Estimated base salary

Data Scientist

Tech

R 125 000

Estimated base salary

Solutions Architect

Tech

R 145 000

Estimated base salary

Blockchain Architect

Tech

R 160 000

Estimated base salary

DevOps Engineer

Tech

R 130 000

Estimated base salary

Site Reliability Engineer

Tech

R 140 000

Estimated base salary

Cybersecurity Director

Tech

R 185 000

Estimated base salary

UX Designer

Tech

R 105 000

Estimated base salary

Investment Banker

Finance

R 150 000

Estimated base salary

Private Equity Associate

Finance

R 170 000

Estimated base salary

Hedge Fund Analyst

Finance

R 160 000

Estimated base salary

Portfolio Manager

Finance

R 200 000

Estimated base salary

Quantitative Researcher

Finance

R 210 000

Estimated base salary

Venture Capital Partner

Finance

R 220 000

Estimated base salary

Wealth Manager

Finance

R 140 000

Estimated base salary

Chief Financial Officer

Executive

R 250 000

Estimated base salary

Compare with Similar Markets

Manchester

A major media and digital hub in the North, offering a competitive salary-to-living-cost ratio.

Edinburgh

Asset management and fintech talent cluster with enviable lifestyle metrics.

Birmingham

Advanced manufacturing and legal services drive steady professional salaries.

Cork

Pharma and medtech heavyweights make Cork a high-paying yet livable Irish market.

Hamburg

Logistics, publishing, and renewable energy employers sustain competitive wages.

Lyon

Biotech and advanced manufacturing anchor strong salaries with lower living costs than Paris.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cape Town?↓

Cape Town has a cost of living index of 56 and a rent index of 49, making it a moderately priced city. Housing costs are manageable relative to other major cities.

How does the tax system work in South Africa?↓

South Africa levies progressive personal taxes administered by SARS alongside UIF and skills development levies. Medical credits reduce liabilities for many professionals.

What is a good salary in Cape Town?↓

For professionals in Cape Town, we estimate the median income at approximately R 45 000. A salary above this level provides comfortable living standards, while salaries significantly below may require careful budgeting, especially for housing in central areas.

What industries are strongest in Cape Town?↓

Cape Town is a growing economic center with strong presence across multiple sectors. The city's diverse economy attracts professionals from various industries, with particularly strong opportunities in finance, technology, and professional services.