🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $816 in Essaouira versus $1,045 in Casablanca.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,214 in Essaouira versus $1,601 in Casablanca.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,613 in Essaouira versus $2,156 in Casablanca.
🌍Living in Essaouira costs roughly 22% less than in Casablanca, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Essaouira41% lower, Casablanca24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.80MAD 44.90
$5.36MAD 50.2
-10.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.41MAD 182
$32.15MAD 301
-39.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75MAD 72.5
$8.55MAD 80.0
-9.36%
Cappuccino
$1.48MAD 13.82
$2.14MAD 20.03
-30.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48MAD 4.51
$1.16MAD 10.84
-58.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39MAD 3.68
$0.70MAD 6.59
-44.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.24MAD 49.03
$4.97MAD 46.46
5.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.57MAD 42.76
$5.50MAD 51.5
-16.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.90MAD 8.45
$0.97MAD 9.08
-7.22%
White Bread(500g)
$0.51MAD 4.81
$0.77MAD 7.17
-33.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82MAD 17.01
$1.89MAD 17.66
-3.70%
Eggs
$1.69MAD 15.80
$1.94MAD 18.13
-12.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.60MAD 80.5
$11.37MAD 106
-24.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.26MAD 58.5
$7.70MAD 72.0
-18.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.96MAD 103
$12.82MAD 120
-14.51%
Apples(1kg)
$1.31MAD 12.29
$1.72MAD 16.10
-23.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18MAD 11.04
$1.57MAD 14.73
-24.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.69MAD 6.43
$0.80MAD 7.45
-13.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.80MAD 7.50
$0.84MAD 7.82
-4.76%
Potato(1kg)
$0.57MAD 5.37
$0.67MAD 6.28
-14.93%
Onion(1kg)
$0.72MAD 6.75
$0.70MAD 6.58
2.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.36MAD 3.38
$0.50MAD 4.67
-28.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61MAD 5.73
$0.52MAD 4.87
17.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.98MAD 37.24
$4.26MAD 39.82
-6.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.56MAD 61.3
$8.74MAD 81.8
-24.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83MAD 17.13
$2.77MAD 25.96
-33.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20MAD 20.54
$3.17MAD 29.64
-30.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88MAD 8.24
$0.83MAD 7.75
6.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$27.44MAD 257
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.66MAD 6.20
$0.83MAD 7.73
-20.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.64MAD 5.96
$0.31MAD 2.88
106.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.66MAD 43.60
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.50MAD 14.04
$1.56MAD 14.55
-3.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5KMAD 331.7K
$32.8KMAD 306.8K
8.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8KMAD 287.9K
$31.5KMAD 294.5K
-2.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$25.43MAD 238
$50.7MAD 475
-49.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.07MAD 169
$11.56MAD 108
56.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.61MAD 286
$44.32MAD 415
-30.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$33.76MAD 316
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$23.16MAD 217
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.49MAD 51.4
$7.51MAD 70.3
-26.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$71.3MAD 667
$618MAD 5,783
-88.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,919MAD 18.0K
$5,665MAD 53.0K
-66.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.05MAD 281
$61.8MAD 578
-51.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.60MAD 427
$50.0MAD 468
-8.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.7MAD 577
$106MAD 989
-41.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.99MAD 402
$67.8MAD 634
-36.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$406MAD 3,801
$636MAD 5,947
-36.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$356MAD 3,331
$383MAD 3,582
-7.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$970MAD 9,072
$1,084MAD 10.1K
-10.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$594MAD 5,555
$644MAD 6,025
-7.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,323MAD 21.7K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,331MAD 12.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Essaouira
Casablanca
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$268MAD 2,508
$705MAD 6,596
-61.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
5.01
29.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Essaouira: August 30, 2026
Last update for Casablanca: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $406 in Essaouira and $636 in Casablanca. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Casablanca pays 163% 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: $19.00 in Essaouira vs $32.00 in Casablanca for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $177 vs $219 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 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Essaouira or Casablanca?
On paper, salaries run 163% 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: $406 in Essaouira versus $636 in Casablanca. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Essaouira and in Casablanca?
Supermarket bills run roughly 23% higher in Casablanca. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Essaouira and in Casablanca?
All in, you'll spend $816 per month in Essaouira versus $1,045 in Casablanca – a 28% 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 $816 in Essaouira versus $1,045 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 28% less than in Casablanca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.