Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Meknes and Marrakech

For one person, living is cheaper in Meknes: $730 a month against $938 in Marrakech, rent and utilities included – about $2,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Meknes, Morocco
Marrakech, Morocco
Meknes
🇲🇦 Morocco
$730
/mo nomad
Marrakech
🇲🇦 Morocco
$938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Meknes and in Marrakech

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Meknes and in Marrakech actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $730 per month in Meknes vs $938 in Marrakech, rent included.

  • Meknes $730
  • Marrakech $938

A couple spends around $1,098 per month in Meknes vs $1,354 in Marrakech, rent included.

  • Meknes $1,098
  • Marrakech $1,354

A family of three spends $1,466 per month in Meknes vs $1,771 in Marrakech, rent included.

  • Meknes $1,466
  • Marrakech $1,771

Meknes is about 22% cheaper than Marrakech, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Meknes and Marrakech are more affordable than the global median – Meknes 46% lower, Marrakech 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.60 MAD 25.45
$3.74 MAD 36.53
-30.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.17 MAD 148
$31.01 MAD 303
-51.08%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.20 MAD 60.6
$6.15 MAD 60.1
0.81%
Cappuccino
$1.72 MAD 16.78
$2.33 MAD 22.78
-26.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96 MAD 9.34
$1.91 MAD 18.70
-49.74%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 MAD 3.87
$0.67 MAD 6.59
-40.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.02 MAD 29.55
$6.70 MAD 65.5
-54.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64 MAD 35.59
$5.45 MAD 53.2
-33.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 MAD 8.34
$0.82 MAD 7.99
3.66%
White Bread (500g)
$0.35 MAD 3.38
$0.82 MAD 8.00
-57.32%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.27 MAD 12.44
$1.53 MAD 15.00
-16.99%
Eggs
$1.86 MAD 18.15
$1.89 MAD 18.51
-1.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.74 MAD 105
$7.67 MAD 75.0
40.03%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.03 MAD 49.20
$5.13 MAD 50.2
-1.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.97 MAD 87.7
$11.49 MAD 112
-21.93%
Apples (1kg)
$1.24 MAD 12.14
$1.62 MAD 15.86
-23.46%
Banana (1kg)
$1.37 MAD 13.36
$1.40 MAD 13.67
-2.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.68 MAD 6.63
$0.93 MAD 9.08
-26.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.67 MAD 6.52
$0.78 MAD 7.63
-14.10%
Potato (1kg)
$0.53 MAD 5.17
$0.67 MAD 6.57
-20.90%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 MAD 4.99
$0.79 MAD 7.72
-35.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.45 MAD 4.42
$0.25 MAD 2.46
80.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 MAD 4.90
$0.55 MAD 5.41
-9.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10 MAD 40.03
$4.11 MAD 40.20
-0.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.21 MAD 80.3
$7.73 MAD 75.6
6.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 MAD 22.74
$2.32 MAD 22.63
0.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 MAD 24.47
$3.37 MAD 32.97
-25.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.43 MAD 4.17
$0.42 MAD 4.13
2.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$15.17 MAD 148
$30.39 MAD 297
-50.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.68 MAD 6.62
$0.88 MAD 8.61
-22.73%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.32 MAD 3.17
$0.59 MAD 5.76
-45.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.64 MAD 45.32
$7.01 MAD 68.6
-33.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 MAD 13.93
$1.45 MAD 14.18
-2.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K MAD 292.7K
$30.8K MAD 300.6K
-2.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.9K MAD 301.7K
$30.7K MAD 300.4K
0.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$45.32 MAD 443
$35.00 MAD 342
29.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.19 MAD 99.6
$9.28 MAD 90.7
9.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.76 MAD 369
$36.03 MAD 352
4.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.62 MAD 270
$28.27 MAD 276
-2.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.20 MAD 315
$20.82 MAD 203
54.66%
Cinema Ticket
$4.01 MAD 39.18
$6.29 MAD 61.5
-36.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$122 MAD 1,194
$99.6 MAD 973
22.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K MAD 112.2K
$12.8K MAD 124.7K
-9.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.7 MAD 633
$30.82 MAD 301
110.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 MAD 454
$44.30 MAD 433
4.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 MAD 895
$80.5 MAD 786
13.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.9 MAD 576
$80.9 MAD 791
-27.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$343 MAD 3,352
$504 MAD 4,924
-31.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$204 MAD 1,990
$361 MAD 3,528
-43.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$585 MAD 5,717
$716 MAD 6,997
-18.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$326 MAD 3,185
$453 MAD 4,432
-28.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$932 MAD 9,114
$1,895 MAD 18.5K
-50.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$594 MAD 5,805
$1,043 MAD 10.2K
-43.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Meknes
Marrakech
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$477 MAD 4,660
$490 MAD 4,792
-2.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.5
4.5
-

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

Last update for Meknes: November 1, 2026

Last update for Marrakech: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Meknes
$204
Marrakech
$361 77.3% $157
Groceries & Markets
Meknes
$173
Marrakech
$182 5.6% $9.6
Clothing & Footwear
Meknes
$118
Marrakech
$106 9.6% $11
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Meknes
$93
Marrakech
$80 13.9% $13
Eating Out
Meknes
$88
Marrakech
$131 49.2% $43
Sport & Entertainment
Meknes
$36
Marrakech
$41 14.7% $5.2
Getting Around
Meknes
$19
Marrakech
$36 87.3% $17

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $343 in Meknes versus $504 in Marrakech. 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 3% higher in Marrakech, 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 $15 in Meknes versus $31 in Marrakech. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $173 vs $182 – making Meknes the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇦 Meknes
🇲🇦 Marrakech
🕒 Local time
18:05 6:05 PM
18:05 6:05 PM
Same time as Meknes
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
520,428
1,002,697
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MAD – Moroccan Dirham Converter

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 9.77 MAD (1 MAD = 0.102 USD). 1 EUR = 10.98 MAD (100 MAD = 9.1 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Meknes Marrakech 340 km
From you
  • Meknes
  • Marrakech

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Meknes vs Marrakech: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meknes cheaper than Marrakech?
Yes – Marrakech is pricier by about 28%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,095 per month in Meknes and $1,407 in Marrakech. 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 Meknes, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $343 there versus $504 in Marrakech.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $122 per month in Meknes and $100 in Marrakech. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Meknes and in Marrakech?
Groceries cost about 6% more in Marrakech, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is it better to live in Meknes or in Marrakech?
It depends on your priorities. Marrakech has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $730 in Meknes to $938 in Marrakech. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is safer, Meknes or Marrakech?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Meknes. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Marrakech makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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