😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $911 in Rabat versus $664 in El Jadida.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,576 in Rabat versus $986 in El Jadida.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,240 in Rabat versus $1,307 in El Jadida.
🌍Living in Rabat is roughly 37% more expensive than in El Jadida, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rabat32% lower, El Jadida50% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.73MAD 44.09
$3.85MAD 35.91
22.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.72MAD 454
$19.90MAD 186
144.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.67MAD 62.2
$6.75MAD 62.9
-1.19%
Cappuccino
$2.04MAD 19.02
$1.52MAD 14.15
34.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63MAD 5.86
$0.43MAD 4.03
46.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41MAD 3.78
$0.32MAD 2.98
28.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.63MAD 52.5
$2.76MAD 25.78
103.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.17MAD 38.93
$3.24MAD 30.23
28.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86MAD 8.06
$0.88MAD 8.21
-2.27%
White Bread(500g)
$0.47MAD 4.36
$0.47MAD 4.39
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.87MAD 17.43
$1.85MAD 17.21
1.08%
Eggs
$1.92MAD 17.94
$1.86MAD 17.38
3.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.96MAD 121
$5.07MAD 47.25
155.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.15MAD 66.7
$3.84MAD 35.83
86.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93MAD 111
$7.92MAD 73.8
50.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55MAD 14.42
$1.58MAD 14.74
-1.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44MAD 13.40
$1.27MAD 11.83
13.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.82MAD 7.67
$0.76MAD 7.04
7.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.79MAD 7.37
$0.80MAD 7.46
-1.25%
Potato(1kg)
$0.72MAD 6.68
$0.79MAD 7.38
-8.86%
Onion(1kg)
$0.70MAD 6.49
$0.49MAD 4.61
42.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.42MAD 3.95
$0.33MAD 3.10
27.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64MAD 5.92
$0.60MAD 5.63
6.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.39MAD 40.92
$4.03MAD 37.58
8.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.66MAD 71.4
$4.42MAD 41.17
73.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.71MAD 25.29
$2.41MAD 22.52
12.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45MAD 22.83
$2.93MAD 27.34
-16.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53MAD 4.93
$0.50MAD 4.69
6.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.66MAD 258
$25.83MAD 241
7.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.53MAD 4.92
$1.07MAD 10.00
-50.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88MAD 8.23
$0.49MAD 4.56
79.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.33MAD 40.34
$3.32MAD 30.94
30.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.52MAD 14.22
$1.53MAD 14.26
-0.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.3KMAD 348.0K
$32.9KMAD 307.2K
13.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6KMAD 276.0K
$30.0KMAD 280.0K
-1.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.99MAD 392
$31.73MAD 296
32.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.87MAD 101
$10.91MAD 102
-0.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.97MAD 373
$33.07MAD 308
20.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.61MAD 285
$27.23MAD 254
12.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.43MAD 265
$17.78MAD 166
59.90%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49MAD 60.5
$6.68MAD 62.3
-2.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$160MAD 1,490
$89.2MAD 832
79.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,628MAD 61.8K
$2,638MAD 24.6K
151.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.7MAD 501
$40.04MAD 373
34.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14MAD 458
$41.07MAD 383
19.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$109MAD 1,015
$66.4MAD 619
63.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.0MAD 914
$60.2MAD 561
62.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$459MAD 4,279
$231MAD 2,155
98.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$259MAD 2,414
$173MAD 1,613
49.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,120MAD 10.4K
$390MAD 3,633
187.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$746MAD 6,955
$250MAD 2,334
197.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,090MAD 19.5K
$1,597MAD 14.9K
30.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,204MAD 11.2K
$822MAD 7,661
46.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$739MAD 6,891
$473MAD 4,411
56.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.81
5
-3.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rabat: July 11, 2026
Last update for El Jadida: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $459 in Rabat and $231 in El Jadida. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rabat pays 56% 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: $49.00 in Rabat vs $20.00 in El Jadida for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $209 vs $148 per month, with El Jadida 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
Rabat vs El Jadida: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rabat or El Jadida?
El Jadida wins on cost – living expenses run 37% lower than in Rabat. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making El Jadida the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Rabat or in El Jadida?
Average pay runs 56% higher in Rabat, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Rabat compared to El Jadida?
Rent for a central apartment: $459 in Rabat versus $231 in El Jadida. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Rabat or in El Jadida?
Supermarket bills run roughly 42% higher in Rabat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Rabat and in El Jadida?
Dining out is cheaper in El Jadida – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $49.00 in Rabat. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Rabat or in El Jadida?
At $664 in El Jadida versus $911 in Rabat, a $1,000 budget is realistic in El Jadida but tight or insufficient in Rabat. The gap between the two cities makes El Jadida the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Rabat or El Jadida?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Rabat compared to El Jadida?
Safety-wise, Rabat and El Jadida 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find El Jadida gentler on the wallet – expenses run 37% less than in Rabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.