😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $924 in Marrakech versus $679 in Ait Melloul.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,359 in Marrakech versus $1,068 in Ait Melloul.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,794 in Marrakech versus $1,457 in Ait Melloul.
🌍Living in Marrakech is roughly 36% more expensive than in Ait Melloul, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Marrakech33% lower, Ait Melloul51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.65MAD 34.34
$3.82MAD 35.85
-4.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.90MAD 300
$25.21MAD 237
26.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.44MAD 60.5
$6.30MAD 59.2
2.22%
Cappuccino
$2.37MAD 22.31
$2.19MAD 20.62
8.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93MAD 18.18
$0.91MAD 8.60
112.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67MAD 6.32
$0.37MAD 3.50
81.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.75MAD 63.4
$5.22MAD 49.03
29.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.34MAD 50.2
$4.67MAD 43.89
14.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.83MAD 7.78
$0.84MAD 7.85
-1.19%
White Bread(500g)
$0.83MAD 7.83
$0.55MAD 5.13
50.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57MAD 14.73
$1.55MAD 14.56
1.29%
Eggs
$1.97MAD 18.50
$1.73MAD 16.26
13.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.91MAD 74.4
$8.19MAD 76.9
-3.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.40MAD 50.8
$5.44MAD 51.1
-0.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.09MAD 114
$11.88MAD 112
1.77%
Apples(1kg)
$1.62MAD 15.23
$1.30MAD 12.19
24.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MAD 13.74
$1.23MAD 11.51
18.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92MAD 8.63
$0.93MAD 8.71
-1.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.77MAD 7.26
$0.74MAD 6.98
4.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69MAD 6.48
$0.75MAD 7.09
-8.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.84MAD 7.85
$0.84MAD 7.90
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24MAD 2.25
$0.26MAD 2.46
-7.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59MAD 5.58
$0.56MAD 5.28
5.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.32MAD 40.55
$4.23MAD 39.71
2.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.05MAD 75.6
$8.16MAD 76.7
-1.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35MAD 22.05
$2.40MAD 22.52
-2.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43MAD 32.28
$3.39MAD 31.87
1.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42MAD 3.93
$0.53MAD 4.96
-20.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.58MAD 250
$20.61MAD 194
28.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89MAD 8.36
$0.63MAD 5.91
41.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66MAD 6.23
$0.62MAD 5.86
6.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.64MAD 71.8
$7.31MAD 68.7
4.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57MAD 14.77
$1.50MAD 14.08
4.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6KMAD 325.2K
$35.5KMAD 333.8K
-2.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.2KMAD 284.0K
$30.9KMAD 290.7K
-2.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$36.21MAD 340
$24.94MAD 234
45.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.59MAD 90.1
$9.62MAD 90.4
-0.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.33MAD 360
$30.70MAD 288
24.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.61MAD 278
$23.77MAD 223
24.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.79MAD 205
$23.72MAD 223
-8.14%
Cinema Ticket
$6.61MAD 62.1
$5.36MAD 50.4
23.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$101MAD 953
$73.0MAD 686
38.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,643MAD 81.2K
$1,878MAD 17.6K
360.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.31MAD 304
$33.13MAD 311
-2.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.07MAD 442
$44.44MAD 418
5.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.6MAD 795
$60.3MAD 566
40.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$84.5MAD 794
$47.41MAD 446
78.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$491MAD 4,615
$283MAD 2,656
73.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328MAD 3,086
$153MAD 1,433
115.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$760MAD 7,139
$481MAD 4,524
57.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$460MAD 4,322
$242MAD 2,274
90.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,975MAD 18.6K
$1,180MAD 11.1K
67.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$954MAD 8,962
$918MAD 8,630
3.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Marrakech
Ait Melloul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$510MAD 4,791
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
3.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Marrakech: September 6, 2026
Last update for Ait Melloul: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $491 in Marrakech and $283 in Ait Melloul. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Marrakech vs $25.00 in Ait Melloul for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $189 vs $182 per month, with Ait Melloul 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
Marrakech vs Ait Melloul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ait Melloul cheaper than Marrakech?
Ait Melloul is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 36% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,387 in Marrakech and $1,018 in Ait Melloul to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Marrakech and Ait Melloul?
Rent for a central apartment: $491 in Marrakech versus $283 in Ait Melloul. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $101 in Marrakech versus $73.0 in Ait Melloul. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Marrakech and in Ait Melloul?
Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Marrakech. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Marrakech or in Ait Melloul?
At $679 in Ait Melloul versus $924 in Marrakech, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Ait Melloul but tight or insufficient in Marrakech. The gap between the two cities makes Ait Melloul the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Marrakech or Ait Melloul more family-friendly?
For families, Ait Melloul is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Marrakech, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Marrakech or Ait Melloul?
Safety-wise, Marrakech and Ait Melloul 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 Ait Melloul gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Marrakech. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.