🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $651 in El Jadida versus $869 in Rabat.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $967 in El Jadida versus $1,515 in Rabat.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,282 in El Jadida versus $2,161 in Rabat.
🌍Living in El Jadida costs roughly 25% less than in Rabat, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: El Jadida53% lower, Rabat37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87MAD 27.01
$4.21MAD 39.60
-31.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.20MAD 199
$43.15MAD 406
-50.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.21MAD 58.4
$7.38MAD 69.4
-15.85%
Cappuccino
$1.59MAD 14.96
$1.93MAD 18.12
-17.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47MAD 4.43
$0.64MAD 6.01
-26.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29MAD 2.68
$0.35MAD 3.25
-17.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.79MAD 26.24
$5.35MAD 50.3
-47.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63MAD 24.67
$3.29MAD 30.95
-20.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96MAD 9.01
$0.85MAD 8.03
12.94%
White Bread(500g)
$0.42MAD 3.92
$0.68MAD 6.40
-38.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.97MAD 18.53
$1.89MAD 17.73
4.23%
Eggs
$1.94MAD 18.19
$1.98MAD 18.65
-2.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.56MAD 61.6
$11.90MAD 112
-44.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.20MAD 39.49
$6.68MAD 62.7
-37.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.20MAD 77.0
$12.45MAD 117
-34.14%
Apples(1kg)
$1.59MAD 14.94
$1.71MAD 16.05
-7.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47MAD 13.84
$1.46MAD 13.73
0.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.72MAD 6.74
$0.88MAD 8.23
-18.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.67MAD 6.32
$0.92MAD 8.61
-27.17%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69MAD 6.46
$0.75MAD 7.07
-8.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.48MAD 4.48
$0.77MAD 7.20
-37.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33MAD 3.14
$0.42MAD 3.92
-21.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54MAD 5.07
$0.59MAD 5.54
-8.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.98MAD 37.44
$4.23MAD 39.71
-5.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.15MAD 38.99
$7.84MAD 73.7
-47.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.61MAD 24.52
$2.68MAD 25.18
-2.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02MAD 28.42
$2.69MAD 25.24
12.27%
🚌 Getting Around
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47MAD 4.38
$0.55MAD 5.19
-14.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.20MAD 162
$26.52MAD 249
-35.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08MAD 10.17
$0.72MAD 6.74
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.09MAD 10.25
$0.90MAD 8.44
21.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.46MAD 51.3
$4.15MAD 39.00
31.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.56MAD 14.65
$1.57MAD 14.80
-0.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9KMAD 327.8K
$34.6KMAD 324.7K
0.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2KMAD 293.1K
$31.5KMAD 295.8K
-0.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$29.29MAD 275
$35.38MAD 333
-17.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.52MAD 98.9
$10.58MAD 99.4
-0.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.46MAD 305
$33.25MAD 312
-2.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.84MAD 280
$30.18MAD 284
-1.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.61MAD 118
$27.55MAD 259
-54.23%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58MAD 61.8
$6.52MAD 61.3
0.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$116MAD 1,086
$186MAD 1,745
-37.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,239MAD 30.4K
$7,068MAD 66.4K
-54.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.85MAD 271
$50.3MAD 473
-42.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.71MAD 354
$44.47MAD 418
-15.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.7MAD 627
$93.4MAD 878
-28.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0MAD 695
$69.0MAD 648
7.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$211MAD 1,987
$519MAD 4,877
-59.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$173MAD 1,624
$278MAD 2,609
-37.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$369MAD 3,465
$1,114MAD 10.5K
-66.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237MAD 2,227
$674MAD 6,329
-64.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,570MAD 14.8K
$2,018MAD 19.0K
-22.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$818MAD 7,688
$1,187MAD 11.2K
-31.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
El Jadida
Rabat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$482MAD 4,530
$749MAD 7,036
-35.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.5
4.52
21.68%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for El Jadida: September 7, 2026
Last update for Rabat: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $211 in El Jadida and $519 in Rabat. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rabat pays 55% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in El Jadida vs $43.00 in Rabat for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $156 vs $210 per month, with El Jadida cheaper across the board.
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
El Jadida vs Rabat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, El Jadida or Rabat?
El Jadida wins on cost – living expenses run 33% lower than in Rabat. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making El Jadida the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in El Jadida or in Rabat?
On paper, salaries run 55% lower in Rabat. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in El Jadida compared to Rabat?
Rent for a central apartment: $211 in El Jadida versus $519 in Rabat. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in El Jadida or in Rabat?
Supermarket bills run roughly 34% higher in Rabat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in El Jadida and in Rabat?
Dining out is cheaper in El Jadida – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $43.00 in Rabat. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in El Jadida or in Rabat?
At $651 in El Jadida versus $869 in Rabat, a $1,000 budget is realistic in El Jadida but tight or insufficient in Rabat. The gap between the two cities makes El Jadida the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: El Jadida or Rabat?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is El Jadida compared to Rabat?
Safety-wise, El Jadida and Rabat are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find El Jadida gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Rabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.