How Much Does It Cost to Live In Rabat?
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco and the country’s seventh largest city but, surprisingly, it is not the most expensive one.
The good thing about Rabat is that police is everywhere here, so it’s much safer than Casablanca and other Moroccan cities.
Rabat is very underrated and has plenty to offer, from history and culture, to some very unique attractions – and all that for a very low price.
like in any other city, the amount of money you’ll spend here, depends on the city you live in, rent rates and the general cost of living at that particular moment.
Morocco : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
If you eat at home, your groceries and food can cost you between 100$ to 300$ a month for three meals a day. If you eat outside in a mid-range restaurant it can cost you between 200$ to 400$, which is still not expensive for a tourists that come from western countries. For fancy restaurants it can go from 500$ and up.
MARKETS
Shopping for food in markets is definitely cheaper than eating out every day, and Rabat also offers a vast range of open markets where you can find fresh fruits and veggies at every step! With Moroccan gorgeous eastern spices and groceries, you’ll be able to cook really unique food and plus, you’ll know exactly what you’re eating. Alcohol beverages are bought in supermarkets only.
TRANSPORTATION
Highways in Morocco, in general, are excellent and connect the major cities, while local roads vary. Transportation is not well organized and reliable, but there are still trams that can take you anywhere. It is still very cheap, though. A one-way ticket is less than a dollar, while a monthly pass is around 26$ – the most expensive monthly transportation is in Rabat.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The cost of basic utilities, including heating, water, cooling and electricity in a normal-size apartment in Casablanca is around 40$, which is a reasonable price for anyone traveling to Morocco from western countries, yet it’s pretty high for their average salaries. High speed internet is somewhat expensive, costing over 30$ a month.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Those that would like to participate in sports or other types of recreations, such activities will cost more. However, they are not as expensive as it would be expected and a monthly fee for a fitness membership is less than 30$. Renting a tennis court is a bit more, but such is the situation in most countries, seeing that tennis is an expensive sport.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Rabat is yet another city where you can go shopping for clothes and not worry about your money! With its high prices in touristy places and popular restaurants, it’s unexpected that shopping for clothes here is actually affordable (although more expensive than in other Moroccan cities). For instance, you can buy a pair of quality jeans like Levi’s for only around 40$.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent is much more expensive in Casablanca, for instance, than in Rabat. For example, renting a studio apartment alone or with a friend in the center of Casablanca, will cost you about 450$ a month, while for larger families (that need larger housing facilities) it can cost up to twice as much. However, it mostly depends on the type of neighborhood you want to rent in.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Rabat
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.68 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.63 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.37 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.74 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.45 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.49 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.63 |
| Monthly Pass | $26.32 |
| Gasoline | $1.08 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $43.43 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.20 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $29.64 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $27.05 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $23.63 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $5.25 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $37.72 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $38.76 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $83.07 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $439.68 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $251.91 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $919.61 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Rabat?
People in Rabat spend most their money in markets and supermarkets, buying food and drinks, as well as on utilities and bills that need to be paid.
A lot of money also goes on rent per month and transportation (given that there are many, many people that live outside of the main cities, yet need to travel to them every day).
What is interesting is that more money is spent on sports and leisure than on shopping for clothing.
Restaurant goers also took up a large part of the money spending pie chart: as much as 10.3% of all money is spent in restaurants.
Average Costs Breakdown
Rabat: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
With a minimum wage of about 160$ monthly, citizens of Rabat don’t have enough money to cover their expenses, though the situation is not critical.
If you want to live like a member of a royal family in the city of Rabat, you will need about 1000$ a month.
However, if you’re more of a modest tourist, traveling backpacker-style, you could make do with 700$ a month.
Average monthly salary in Rabat is a bit higher, around 550$ which is just about enough to cover taxes, expenses and all necessary life conditions.
Cost of Living by City in Rabat
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Casablanca | 35.68 |
