Cost of Living Comparison Between Essaouira and Casablanca Cost of Living Comparison Between Essaouira and Casablanca

Monthly Cost of Living

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: Essaouira 37% lower, Casablanca 24% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.36 MAD 40.68
$5.41 MAD 50.5
-19.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.14 MAD 234
$33.33 MAD 311
-24.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.97 MAD 46.37
$8.18 MAD 76.3
-39.24%
Cappuccino
$1.76 MAD 16.37
$2.32 MAD 21.61
-24.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 MAD 4.26
$0.70 MAD 6.51
-34.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26 MAD 2.41
$0.50 MAD 4.64
-48.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.79 MAD 35.36
$3.76 MAD 35.09
0.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 MAD 34.69
$4.52 MAD 42.15
-17.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.84 MAD 7.87
$0.91 MAD 8.51
-7.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.49 MAD 4.57
$0.77 MAD 7.14
-36.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 MAD 15.43
$2.03 MAD 18.94
-18.72%
Eggs
$1.81 MAD 16.90
$1.91 MAD 17.78
-5.24%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.24 MAD 86.1
$11.15 MAD 104
-17.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.29 MAD 49.31
$7.43 MAD 69.2
-28.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.42 MAD 107
$11.85 MAD 110
-3.63%
Apples (1kg)
$1.42 MAD 13.21
$1.91 MAD 17.81
-25.65%
Banana (1kg)
$1.22 MAD 11.42
$1.51 MAD 14.05
-19.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.72 MAD 6.69
$0.87 MAD 8.11
-17.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.88 MAD 8.22
$0.82 MAD 7.64
7.32%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 MAD 6.52
$0.72 MAD 6.68
-2.78%
Onion (1kg)
$0.91 MAD 8.48
$0.81 MAD 7.52
12.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 MAD 3.66
$0.45 MAD 4.20
-13.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 MAD 4.97
$0.59 MAD 5.48
-10.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15 MAD 38.66
$4.45 MAD 41.46
-6.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.45 MAD 60.1
$8.07 MAD 75.2
-20.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 MAD 18.03
$2.89 MAD 26.90
-33.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20 MAD 20.52
$2.80 MAD 26.14
-21.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 MAD 8.11
$0.74 MAD 6.88
17.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.46 MAD 154
$25.46 MAD 237
-35.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.63 MAD 5.92
$0.91 MAD 8.45
-30.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.48 MAD 4.43
$0.77 MAD 7.17
-37.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.98 MAD 83.8
$5.21 MAD 48.58
72.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 MAD 14.70
$1.52 MAD 14.15
3.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2K MAD 346.5K
$37.5K MAD 349.7K
-0.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K MAD 196.4K
$28.8K MAD 268.8K
-26.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$27.86 MAD 260
$49.48 MAD 461
-43.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.90 MAD 130
$11.91 MAD 111
16.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.94 MAD 261
$42.90 MAD 400
-34.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.61 MAD 202
$29.76 MAD 277
-27.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.76 MAD 212
$40.59 MAD 379
-43.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65 MAD 62.0
$8.85 MAD 82.6
-24.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$75.3 MAD 702
$209 MAD 1,947
-63.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,956 MAD 18.2K
$5,325 MAD 49.7K
-63.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.88 MAD 288
$65.7 MAD 612
-52.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.68 MAD 370
$53.8 MAD 501
-26.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$49.28 MAD 460
$112 MAD 1,040
-55.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.34 MAD 413
$91.6 MAD 854
-51.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$388 MAD 3,617
$586 MAD 5,464
-33.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$346 MAD 3,229
$341 MAD 3,176
1.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$813 MAD 7,584
$1,126 MAD 10.5K
-27.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$559 MAD 5,209
$582 MAD 5,422
-3.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,263 MAD 21.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,273 MAD 11.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$268 MAD 2,498
$610 MAD 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.

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