Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Belgium

South Africa
For digital nomads choosing between Brugge and Cape Town, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:
Best for Budget
Cape Town
$1,590/mo
Best Internet
Brugge
150 Mbps
Best NomadIQ Score
Brugge
7.2/10
Our Recommendation: Choose Cape Town if budget is your top priority, or Brugge if you need the fastest internet for remote work.
When comparing Brugge and Cape Town for digital nomads, several factors come into play.
Cost of Living: Cape Town is the more budget-friendly option at $1,590/month versus Brugge's $1,828/month.
Internet & Remote Work: Brugge leads with 150 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Cape Town offers 120 Mbps.
Safety: With a safety score of 7.5/10, Brugge provides a more secure environment than Cape Town (2.7/10).
Overall: Brugge earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7.2/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.
Cape Town is 13% cheaper than Brugge.
Brugge has a higher safety score (7.5/10) compared to Cape Town (2.7/10).
7.5/10
Brugge
2.7/10
Cape Town
For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Brugge offers faster internet at 150 Mbps vs 120 Mbps.
150 Mbps
Brugge
120 Mbps
Cape Town
Both cities are excellent choices for expats, with each having unique strengths.
Brugge: Best for those prioritizing amenities
Cape Town: Best for budget-conscious expats
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