Cost of Living Comparison Between Essaouira and Tangier Cost of Living Comparison Between Essaouira and Tangier

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $810 per month in Essaouira vs $874 in Tangier, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,226 per month in Essaouira vs $1,341 in Tangier, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,642 per month in Essaouira vs $1,808 in Tangier, rent included.

Essaouira is about 7% cheaper than Tangier, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Essaouira and Tangier are more affordable than the global median – Essaouira 40% lower, Tangier 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.34 MAD 39.86
$4.43 MAD 40.68
-2.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.74 MAD 227
$30.25 MAD 278
-18.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.99 MAD 45.88
$7.23 MAD 66.5
-30.98%
Cappuccino
$1.84 MAD 16.91
$1.72 MAD 15.77
6.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 MAD 4.13
$0.70 MAD 6.47
-35.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26 MAD 2.36
$0.33 MAD 3.00
-21.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.85 MAD 35.40
$3.94 MAD 36.20
-2.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57 MAD 32.83
$3.31 MAD 30.39
7.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 MAD 7.80
$1.05 MAD 9.65
-19.05%
White Bread (500g)
$0.53 MAD 4.90
$0.88 MAD 8.04
-39.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.69 MAD 15.57
$1.68 MAD 15.47
0.60%
Eggs
$1.80 MAD 16.52
$2.19 MAD 20.15
-17.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.59 MAD 88.1
$10.24 MAD 94.1
-6.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.34 MAD 49.08
$6.86 MAD 63.1
-22.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.51 MAD 106
$12.55 MAD 115
-8.29%
Apples (1kg)
$1.37 MAD 12.55
$1.30 MAD 11.92
5.38%
Banana (1kg)
$1.27 MAD 11.70
$1.36 MAD 12.49
-6.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.72 MAD 6.59
$0.76 MAD 6.95
-5.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.93 MAD 8.56
$0.79 MAD 7.28
17.72%
Potato (1kg)
$0.69 MAD 6.36
$0.68 MAD 6.26
1.47%
Onion (1kg)
$0.92 MAD 8.47
$0.70 MAD 6.46
31.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 MAD 3.60
$0.54 MAD 4.92
-27.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 MAD 4.92
$0.60 MAD 5.53
-10.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.07 MAD 37.43
$4.50 MAD 41.38
-9.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.61 MAD 60.8
$9.61 MAD 88.3
-31.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 MAD 17.76
$3.25 MAD 29.90
-40.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 MAD 19.83
$3.26 MAD 29.95
-33.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.90 MAD 8.25
$0.45 MAD 4.16
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.40 MAD 151
$16.55 MAD 152
-0.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.68 MAD 6.26
$0.52 MAD 4.82
30.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.51 MAD 4.72
$0.48 MAD 4.39
6.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.69 MAD 79.8
$9.97 MAD 91.6
-12.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 MAD 14.54
$1.62 MAD 14.85
-2.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6K MAD 345.7K
$37.4K MAD 343.5K
0.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K MAD 193.3K
$23.6K MAD 217.1K
-10.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$28.04 MAD 258
$82.7 MAD 760
-66.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.82 MAD 127
$11.28 MAD 104
22.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.65 MAD 263
$39.92 MAD 367
-28.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.11 MAD 203
$28.60 MAD 263
-22.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.63 MAD 217
$39.05 MAD 359
-39.49%
Cinema Ticket
$6.71 MAD 61.7
$7.52 MAD 69.1
-10.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$75.6 MAD 695
$96.9 MAD 890
-21.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,990 MAD 18.3K
$6,455 MAD 59.3K
-69.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.43 MAD 289
$31.68 MAD 291
-0.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79 MAD 366
$45.40 MAD 417
-12.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$48.84 MAD 449
$86.9 MAD 799
-43.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.20 MAD 406
$83.9 MAD 771
-47.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$388 MAD 3,563
$440 MAD 4,047
-11.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$345 MAD 3,173
$237 MAD 2,182
45.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$795 MAD 7,308
$881 MAD 8,092
-9.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$545 MAD 5,011
$441 MAD 4,048
23.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,884 MAD 17.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,255 MAD 11.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Essaouira
Tangier
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$268 MAD 2,462
$521 MAD 4,791
-48.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.5
4.35
26.44%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Essaouira: June 1, 2026

Last update for Tangier: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $388 in Essaouira versus $440 in Tangier. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 95% higher in Tangier, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Essaouira versus $30.00 in Tangier. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $179 vs $214 – making Essaouira the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Tangier: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tangier cheaper than Essaouira?
Yes – Tangier is pricier by about 8%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,215 per month in Essaouira and $1,310 in Tangier. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Essaouira, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Essaouira and Tangier?
Groceries cost about 20% more in Tangier, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is eating out cheaper in Essaouira or Tangier?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Essaouira and $30.00 in Tangier. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Essaouira or Tangier?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Essaouira, where all-in costs run around $810, than in Tangier at $874. In Essaouira it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tangier it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Essaouira or Tangier more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Essaouira – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Essaouira or Tangier?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Essaouira. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tangier makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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