Cost of Living Comparison Between Bulawayo and Ruwa Cost of Living Comparison Between Bulawayo and Ruwa

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.55 ZWL 122

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.96 ZWL 802

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.59 ZWL 150

Cappuccino

$2.33 ZWL 62.3

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZWL 13.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 ZWL 10.74

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.70 ZWL 45.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 ZWL 65.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 ZWL 41.54

White Bread (500g)

$1.00 ZWL 26.83

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.80 ZWL 48.08

Eggs

$1.73 ZWL 46.23

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.40 ZWL 278

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.97 ZWL 106

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.44 ZWL 119

Apples (1kg)

$1.51 ZWL 40.54

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ZWL 40.72

Oranges (1kg)

$2.32 ZWL 62.2

Tomato (1kg)

$1.09 ZWL 29.14

Potato (1kg)

$1.20 ZWL 32.15

Onion (1kg)

$1.40 ZWL 37.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 ZWL 27.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 ZWL 26.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.52 ZWL 40.62

Wine (Bottle)

$5.11 ZWL 137

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.54 ZWL 41.35

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 ZWL 56.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.49 ZWL 13.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.43 ZWL 788

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.97 ZWL 79.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.28 ZWL 60.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 ZWL 135

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.69 ZWL 45.24

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$70.3 ZWL 1,880

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$18.25 ZWL 488

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$134 ZWL 3,579

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.90 ZWL 667

Cinema Ticket

$9.93 ZWL 266

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$139 ZWL 3,728

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$21.94 ZWL 587

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.26 ZWL 355

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.2 ZWL 1,853

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$55.6 ZWL 1,488

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$186 ZWL 4,981

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$112 ZWL 3,000

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$473 ZWL 12.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$411 ZWL 11.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,131 ZWL 57.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,044 ZWL 54.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$296 ZWL 7,914

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

Last update for Bulawayo: June 6, 2026

Last update for Ruwa: June 8, 2026

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

Bulawayo vs Ruwa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Ruwa – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Ruwa. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bulawayo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.