🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $810 in Essaouira versus $1,014 in Casablanca.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,226 in Essaouira versus $1,561 in Casablanca.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,642 in Essaouira versus $2,108 in Casablanca.
🙂Living in Essaouira costs roughly 20% less than in Casablanca, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Essaouira40% lower, Casablanca24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.34MAD 39.86
$5.57MAD 51.2
-22.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.74MAD 227
$32.50MAD 299
-23.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.99MAD 45.88
$8.00MAD 73.6
-37.63%
Cappuccino
$1.84MAD 16.91
$2.30MAD 21.13
-20.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45MAD 4.13
$0.68MAD 6.29
-33.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26MAD 2.36
$0.47MAD 4.27
-44.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.85MAD 35.40
$3.79MAD 34.85
1.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57MAD 32.83
$4.47MAD 41.11
-20.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85MAD 7.80
$0.93MAD 8.58
-8.60%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53MAD 4.90
$0.77MAD 7.06
-31.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.69MAD 15.57
$1.93MAD 17.72
-12.44%
Eggs
$1.80MAD 16.52
$2.00MAD 18.38
-10.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.59MAD 88.1
$11.50MAD 106
-16.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.34MAD 49.08
$7.44MAD 68.4
-28.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.51MAD 106
$11.75MAD 108
-2.04%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37MAD 12.55
$1.84MAD 16.92
-25.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27MAD 11.70
$1.59MAD 14.62
-20.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.72MAD 6.59
$0.86MAD 7.87
-16.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.93MAD 8.56
$0.81MAD 7.47
14.81%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69MAD 6.36
$0.77MAD 7.12
-10.39%
Onion(1kg)
$0.92MAD 8.47
$0.74MAD 6.84
24.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.39MAD 3.60
$0.45MAD 4.14
-13.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54MAD 4.92
$0.58MAD 5.35
-6.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.07MAD 37.43
$4.38MAD 40.24
-7.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.61MAD 60.8
$8.26MAD 75.9
-19.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93MAD 17.76
$2.79MAD 25.63
-30.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16MAD 19.83
$2.92MAD 26.82
-26.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90MAD 8.25
$0.74MAD 6.80
21.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.40MAD 151
$25.24MAD 232
-35.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.68MAD 6.26
$0.91MAD 8.40
-25.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.51MAD 4.72
$0.82MAD 7.57
-37.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.69MAD 79.8
$5.40MAD 49.65
60.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.58MAD 14.54
$1.46MAD 13.41
8.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6KMAD 345.7K
$36.7KMAD 337.6K
2.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0KMAD 193.3K
$29.1KMAD 267.6K
-27.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.04MAD 258
$49.48MAD 455
-43.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.82MAD 127
$12.14MAD 112
13.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.65MAD 263
$42.05MAD 386
-31.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.11MAD 203
$29.44MAD 271
-24.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.63MAD 217
$41.26MAD 379
-42.73%
Cinema Ticket
$6.71MAD 61.7
$8.87MAD 81.6
-24.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$75.6MAD 695
$207MAD 1,907
-63.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,990MAD 18.3K
$5,466MAD 50.2K
-63.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.43MAD 289
$66.7MAD 613
-52.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MAD 366
$54.5MAD 501
-26.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.84MAD 449
$110MAD 1,010
-55.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.20MAD 406
$92.5MAD 850
-52.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$388MAD 3,563
$590MAD 5,424
-34.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$345MAD 3,173
$346MAD 3,177
-0.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$795MAD 7,308
$1,117MAD 10.3K
-28.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$545MAD 5,011
$582MAD 5,352
-6.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,245MAD 20.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,217MAD 11.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$268MAD 2,462
$640MAD 5,881
-58.13%
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for Casablanca: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $388 in Essaouira and $590 in Casablanca. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Casablanca pays 139% 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 $179 vs $215 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 25% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Essaouira or Casablanca?
On paper, Casablanca earns 139% less. 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 $590 in Casablanca. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Essaouira or 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 vs Casablanca?
All in, you'll spend $810 per month in Essaouira versus $1,014 in Casablanca – a 25% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Essaouira or Casablanca?
At $810 in Essaouira versus $1,014 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 25% less than in Casablanca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.