Cities
Nomad city comparison
Cape Town vs Dubai
South Africa · Africa · mid · UAE · Middle East · expensive
🏆 Cape Town wins on price.
Nomad Score comparison
🏆 Cape Town scores higher
Nomad Score
69/ 100
B
B — Solid
Cost · 30%76.69555555555554
Productivity · 25%68
Sustainability · 20%70
Lifestyle · 15%68
Tax · 10%50
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
Nomad Score
56/ 100
C
C — Mediocre
Cost · 30%36.27777777777778
Productivity · 25%49
Sustainability · 20%75
Lifestyle · 15%55
Tax · 10%100
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
| Sub-score | Cape Town | Dubai | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 76.69555555555554 | 36.27777777777778 | 40.417777777777765 |
| Productivity | 68 | 49 | 19 |
| Sustainability | 70 | 75 | 5 |
| Lifestyle | 68 | 55 | 13 |
| Tax | 50 | 100 | 50 |
| Total | 69 B | 56 C | 13 |
Side-by-side
| Category | Cape Town | Dubai | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (monthly) | $1,281 | $2,739 | 53% |
| Long-term lease | $761 | $1,869 | 59% |
| Food — local | $319 | $483 | 34% |
| Food — Western | $683 | $1,101 | 38% |
| Coworking (monthly) | $172 | $322 | 47% |
| Specialty coffee (cup) | $2.57 | $4.09 | 37% |
| Mobile data / SIM (monthly) | $18 | $35 | 49% |
| Gym — chain (monthly) | $55 | $95 | 42% |
| Gym — boutique (monthly) | $145 | $240 | 40% |
| Laundry per load | $2.60 | $4.00 | 35% |
| Transit pass (monthly) | $46.96 | $96 | 51% |
| Tourist visa | — | — | ≈ |
| Nomad visa (year) | $100 | $600 | 83% |
| Chicken breast (100g) | $0.83 | $1.45 | 43% |
Cape Town
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Dubai
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