Cost of Living Comparison Between Almaty and Marrakech Cost of Living Comparison Between Almaty and Marrakech

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,364 per month in Almaty vs $943 in Marrakech, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,124 per month in Almaty vs $1,380 in Marrakech, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,885 per month in Almaty vs $1,817 in Marrakech, rent included.

Almaty costs about 45% more than Marrakech, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Almaty and Marrakech are more affordable than the global median – Almaty 1% lower, Marrakech 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.92 ₸5,880
$3.85 MAD 35.92
235.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.03 ₸20.5K
$32.21 MAD 301
39.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.61 ₸3,916
$6.32 MAD 59.0
36.23%
Cappuccino
$3.15 ₸1,431
$2.36 MAD 22.05
33.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 ₸604
$2.01 MAD 18.79
-33.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 ₸371
$0.64 MAD 5.94
28.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.43 ₸1,104
$6.97 MAD 65.1
-65.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92 ₸1,781
$5.45 MAD 50.9
-28.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 ₸749
$0.92 MAD 8.55
79.35%
White Bread (500g)
$0.81 ₸367
$0.90 MAD 8.43
-10.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.08 ₸948
$1.56 MAD 14.61
33.33%
Eggs
$2.30 ₸1,048
$2.07 MAD 19.34
11.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.23 ₸5,563
$7.99 MAD 74.6
53.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.66 ₸3,028
$5.45 MAD 50.8
22.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.73 ₸4,881
$12.01 MAD 112
-10.66%
Apples (1kg)
$1.85 ₸842
$1.69 MAD 15.82
9.47%
Banana (1kg)
$2.36 ₸1,074
$1.43 MAD 13.34
65.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.90 ₸1,318
$0.94 MAD 8.80
208.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.77 ₸1,260
$0.77 MAD 7.18
259.74%
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 ₸342
$0.75 MAD 7.05
-
Onion (1kg)
$0.57 ₸260
$0.81 MAD 7.53
-29.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.60 ₸726
$0.26 MAD 2.43
515.38%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97 ₸441
$0.59 MAD 5.52
64.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.57 ₸1,171
$4.37 MAD 40.76
-41.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.75 ₸4,892
$8.30 MAD 77.5
29.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17 ₸533
$2.31 MAD 21.60
-49.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 ₸1,082
$3.38 MAD 31.59
-29.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₸114
$0.42 MAD 3.90
-40.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.05 ₸9,576
$26.70 MAD 249
-21.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.33 ₸603
$0.93 MAD 8.72
43.01%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.63 ₸287
$0.62 MAD 5.82
1.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.91 ₸4,963
$7.32 MAD 68.4
49.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.67 ₸307
$1.57 MAD 14.61
-57.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2K ₸11.9M
$34.9K MAD 325.4K
-24.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.5K ₸13.4M
$31.4K MAD 293.3K
-6.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$90.4 ₸41.1K
$37.01 MAD 346
144.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.95 ₸4,981
$9.67 MAD 90.3
13.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.47 ₸7,947
$38.22 MAD 357
-54.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$75.1 ₸34.2K
$30.63 MAD 286
145.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.29 ₸13.3K
$22.32 MAD 208
31.23%
Cinema Ticket
$6.32 ₸2,875
$6.56 MAD 61.3
-3.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$425 ₸193.5K
$102 MAD 955
315.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K ₸5.3M
$8,697 MAD 81.2K
33.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.7 ₸39.4K
$32.69 MAD 305
165.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.71 ₸21.3K
$47.05 MAD 439
-0.72%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 ₸63.3K
$85.9 MAD 802
61.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 ₸60.3K
$84.5 MAD 788
56.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$791 ₸359.7K
$500 MAD 4,671
58.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$498 ₸226.4K
$333 MAD 3,110
49.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,432 ₸651.5K
$740 MAD 6,910
93.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$912 ₸415.1K
$470 MAD 4,385
94.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,446 ₸1.1M
$1,979 MAD 18.5K
23.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,504 ₸684.3K
$975 MAD 9,104
54.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Almaty
Marrakech
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$850 ₸386.5K
$514 MAD 4,797
65.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.61
3.5
488.86%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Almaty: September 1, 2026

Last update for Marrakech: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $791 in Almaty versus $500 in Marrakech. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 65% higher in Almaty, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Almaty versus $32.00 in Marrakech. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $247 vs $192 – making Marrakech the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Almaty vs Marrakech: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marrakech cheaper than Almaty?
Yes – Almaty is pricier by about 45%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,046 per month in Almaty and $1,414 in Marrakech. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Marrakech, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Almaty or in Marrakech?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Almaty and $32.00 in Marrakech. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Almaty and in Marrakech?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,364 in Almaty and $943 in Marrakech. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Almaty or in Marrakech?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Marrakech, where all-in costs run around $943, than in Almaty at $1,364. In Marrakech it covers expenses comfortably, while in Almaty it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Almaty or Marrakech more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Marrakech – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Almaty or Marrakech?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Marrakech. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Almaty makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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