🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $837 in Essaouira versus $1,017 in Casablanca.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,254 in Essaouira versus $1,578 in Casablanca.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,671 in Essaouira versus $2,139 in Casablanca.
🌍Living in Essaouira costs roughly 18% less than in Casablanca, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Essaouira37% lower, Casablanca24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.36MAD 40.68
$5.41MAD 50.5
-19.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.14MAD 234
$33.33MAD 311
-24.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.97MAD 46.37
$8.18MAD 76.3
-39.24%
Cappuccino
$1.76MAD 16.37
$2.32MAD 21.61
-24.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46MAD 4.26
$0.70MAD 6.51
-34.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26MAD 2.41
$0.50MAD 4.64
-48.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.79MAD 35.36
$3.76MAD 35.09
0.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72MAD 34.69
$4.52MAD 42.15
-17.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84MAD 7.87
$0.91MAD 8.51
-7.69%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49MAD 4.57
$0.77MAD 7.14
-36.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65MAD 15.43
$2.03MAD 18.94
-18.72%
Eggs
$1.81MAD 16.90
$1.91MAD 17.78
-5.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.24MAD 86.1
$11.15MAD 104
-17.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.29MAD 49.31
$7.43MAD 69.2
-28.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.42MAD 107
$11.85MAD 110
-3.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.42MAD 13.21
$1.91MAD 17.81
-25.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22MAD 11.42
$1.51MAD 14.05
-19.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.72MAD 6.69
$0.87MAD 8.11
-17.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.88MAD 8.22
$0.82MAD 7.64
7.32%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70MAD 6.52
$0.72MAD 6.68
-2.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.91MAD 8.48
$0.81MAD 7.52
12.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.39MAD 3.66
$0.45MAD 4.20
-13.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53MAD 4.97
$0.59MAD 5.48
-10.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15MAD 38.66
$4.45MAD 41.46
-6.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.45MAD 60.1
$8.07MAD 75.2
-20.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93MAD 18.03
$2.89MAD 26.90
-33.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20MAD 20.52
$2.80MAD 26.14
-21.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.87MAD 8.11
$0.74MAD 6.88
17.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.46MAD 154
$25.46MAD 237
-35.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.63MAD 5.92
$0.91MAD 8.45
-30.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48MAD 4.43
$0.77MAD 7.17
-37.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.98MAD 83.8
$5.21MAD 48.58
72.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.58MAD 14.70
$1.52MAD 14.15
3.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2KMAD 346.5K
$37.5KMAD 349.7K
-0.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1KMAD 196.4K
$28.8KMAD 268.8K
-26.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.86MAD 260
$49.48MAD 461
-43.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.90MAD 130
$11.91MAD 111
16.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.94MAD 261
$42.90MAD 400
-34.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.61MAD 202
$29.76MAD 277
-27.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.76MAD 212
$40.59MAD 379
-43.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65MAD 62.0
$8.85MAD 82.6
-24.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$75.3MAD 702
$209MAD 1,947
-63.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,956MAD 18.2K
$5,325MAD 49.7K
-63.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.88MAD 288
$65.7MAD 612
-52.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.68MAD 370
$53.8MAD 501
-26.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$49.28MAD 460
$112MAD 1,040
-55.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.34MAD 413
$91.6MAD 854
-51.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$388MAD 3,617
$586MAD 5,464
-33.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$346MAD 3,229
$341MAD 3,176
1.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$813MAD 7,584
$1,126MAD 10.5K
-27.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$559MAD 5,209
$582MAD 5,422
-3.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,263MAD 21.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,273MAD 11.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$268MAD 2,498
$610MAD 5,689
-56.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.5
5.29
3.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Essaouira: July 12, 2026
Last update for Casablanca: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $388 in Essaouira and $586 in Casablanca. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Casablanca pays 128% 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: $25.00 in Essaouira vs $33.00 in Casablanca for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $176 vs $214 per month, with Essaouira 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
Essaouira vs Casablanca: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Casablanca cheaper than Essaouira?
Essaouira is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Essaouira or Casablanca?
On paper, salaries run 128% lower in Casablanca. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Essaouira and Casablanca?
Rent for a central apartment: $388 in Essaouira versus $586 in Casablanca. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Essaouira or in Casablanca?
Dining out is cheaper in Essaouira – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $33.00 in Casablanca. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Essaouira and in Casablanca?
All in, you'll spend $837 per month in Essaouira versus $1,017 in Casablanca – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Essaouira or in Casablanca?
At $837 in Essaouira versus $1,017 in Casablanca, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Essaouira but tight or insufficient in Casablanca. The gap between the two cities makes Essaouira the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Essaouira or Casablanca more family-friendly?
For families, Essaouira is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Casablanca, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Essaouira or Casablanca?
Safety-wise, Essaouira and Casablanca 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Essaouira gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Casablanca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.