“Groceries Are Affordable”: Digital Nomad Family of 3 Shares Monthly Expenses Living in Cape Town

• A woman named Nellie Huang and her digital nomad family, who stay in Cape Town, revealed their monthly expenses
• Nellie shared a breakdown of the costs, which did not include activities and what they did for fun
• Digital nomads should not be confused with location-independent workers, who are people who have a home base and the option to travel with their job

An international digital nomad family shared how much they spent a month while living in Cape Town. The wife, Nellie Huang, noted that the Mother City, compared to other places they temporarily called home, offered great value for money and high standards of living.

Nellie, a Singaporean travel writer, lived in Cape Town with her spouse and child, forming a family of three. On 21 August, 2025, she shared on her Instagram account that she and her family had been in the Western Cape city for a month and listed their basic expenses. The list excluded activities and things they did for fun.

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In total, Nellie and her family spent R56 800 a month. Here is a breakdown of their monthly expenses:

• R28 000: Rent for a three-bedroom home, which includes internet, cleaning and all utilities.
• R7 000: Vehicle.
• R10 000: Fees for the international school her daughter attends. Nellie plans to homeschool her child, which would significantly cut schooling costs.
• R7 000: Eating out, which Nellie explains is cheaper than in the Netherlands and Spain.
• R4 800: Nellie noted, "Groceries are fresh and affordable, and there are plenty of options!"

The traveller, who closed her comment section, asked the online community:

"How does this compare to what you spend at home?"

What is a digital nomad?

The employment-based website FlexJobs explains that people who identify as digital nomads are individuals who use technology and communication tools to complete work remotely while travelling the country or world.

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While some choose to change areas more frequently, others stay in one location for weeks or months. A digital nomad should not be confused with a location-independent worker, who typically has a home base and the option to travel with their job.

Pros and cons of being a digital nomad

FlexJobs lists the following advantages and disadvantages of living as a digital nomad:

Pros

• Experience different cultures.
• Freedom to work from anywhere.
• Global brand awareness.
• A less stressful work environment.
• Simplified lifestyle.
• Worldwide network.

Cons

• Loneliness.
• Internet connection issues.
• Potential unstable income.
• Time zone issues.
• Tax complications.
• Visa requirements.

Take a look at the Instagram reel below:

4 Other stories about monthly expenses

• In another article, Briefly News reported that South Africans called a Cape Town-based American woman's monthly expenses a salary after she shared what she spent.
• An accountant shared a monthly breakdown of a local household, detailing the amounts of necessities. The results divided South Africans, with some shocked at the food figure.
• A South African content creator revealed how she survived on R34 000 per month. Her biggest expense was R9 500 for rent in the Mother City.
• A viral TikTok video detailed how quickly a R16 000 salary disappears when compared to everyday expenses. The figures in the post sparked anxiety, as many felt they could relate to the financial struggles.

Source: Briefly News