Somerset West vs Stilbaai (Still Bay): Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?

Somerset West is a quietly excellent pick for expats who want Cape Winelands living without Cape Town prices, and the numbers back it up: a 1-bedroom outside the center runs $421/mo against a $1,402/mo average net salary, with utilities at just $83/mo. The trade-off is that local wages lag the lifestyle, so remote workers and retirees on foreign income get far more out of this town than job seekers do. With a 72/100 expat score, a 74/100 FIRE score, and CPT only 6 km away, it earns its place on a shortlist for anyone earning abroad. Just budget carefully: the Retired Person Visa wants $2,050/mo and the Digital Nomad Visa wants $2,950/mo, both above what most local salaries deliver.

Stilbaai is a sleepy coastal town with a population of just 4,000, offering a mild Mediterranean climate and a low crime index of 38, but its limited English proficiency and fair healthcare quality are drawbacks for most expats. Rent is cheap at $526 for a three-bedroom in the city center, yet the average local salary of $2,514 per month makes the cost of living a non-issue for retirees or digital nomads with the required income. The 55/100 overall expat score reflects a place that is safe and affordable but lacks the amenities and connectivity that most foreigners expect.