😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $908 in Rabat versus $647 in El Jadida.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,593 in Rabat versus $978 in El Jadida.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,279 in Rabat versus $1,310 in El Jadida.
😐Living in Rabat is roughly 40% more expensive than El Jadida, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rabat32% lower, El Jadida52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63MAD 42.54
$3.78MAD 34.77
22.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.79MAD 448
$19.61MAD 180
148.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.80MAD 62.5
$6.69MAD 61.5
1.64%
Cappuccino
$1.96MAD 18.04
$1.52MAD 13.95
28.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61MAD 5.61
$0.46MAD 4.24
32.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38MAD 3.48
$0.32MAD 2.93
18.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.47MAD 50.2
$2.83MAD 26.03
93.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.21MAD 38.67
$3.21MAD 29.48
31.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.82MAD 7.51
$0.84MAD 7.75
-2.38%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48MAD 4.40
$0.44MAD 4.02
9.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.97MAD 18.11
$1.76MAD 16.21
11.93%
Eggs
$1.93MAD 17.76
$1.78MAD 16.38
8.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.17MAD 121
$4.88MAD 44.88
169.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.94MAD 63.8
$3.87MAD 35.53
79.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.92MAD 110
$8.18MAD 75.2
45.72%
Apples(1kg)
$1.61MAD 14.83
$1.56MAD 14.36
3.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38MAD 12.68
$1.28MAD 11.76
7.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.83MAD 7.61
$0.72MAD 6.58
15.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.81MAD 7.44
$0.78MAD 7.17
3.85%
Potato(1kg)
$0.68MAD 6.25
$0.74MAD 6.79
-8.11%
Onion(1kg)
$0.71MAD 6.51
$0.50MAD 4.61
42.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.40MAD 3.64
$0.33MAD 3.04
21.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63MAD 5.77
$0.57MAD 5.20
10.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.39MAD 40.35
$4.18MAD 38.45
5.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.08MAD 74.3
$4.47MAD 41.04
80.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.70MAD 24.85
$2.38MAD 21.83
13.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47MAD 22.73
$2.93MAD 26.96
-15.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.57MAD 5.23
$0.51MAD 4.69
11.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.06MAD 249
$26.35MAD 242
2.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57MAD 5.27
$1.08MAD 9.91
-47.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.83MAD 7.63
$0.48MAD 4.43
72.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.46MAD 41.02
$3.33MAD 30.60
33.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54MAD 14.11
$1.51MAD 13.91
1.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.9KMAD 338.7K
$32.5KMAD 298.7K
13.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.8KMAD 273.8K
$30.1KMAD 276.3K
-0.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.32MAD 380
$32.07MAD 295
28.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.26MAD 103
$11.03MAD 101
2.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.59MAD 364
$32.95MAD 303
20.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.30MAD 278
$27.12MAD 249
11.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.31MAD 269
$17.45MAD 160
67.97%
Cinema Ticket
$6.56MAD 60.3
$6.59MAD 60.6
-0.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$158MAD 1,448
$88.7MAD 815
77.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,396MAD 58.8K
$2,576MAD 23.7K
148.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.4MAD 482
$40.67MAD 374
28.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.76MAD 448
$40.56MAD 373
20.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108MAD 990
$68.4MAD 628
57.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.1MAD 892
$61.3MAD 563
58.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$460MAD 4,226
$223MAD 2,052
105.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$269MAD 2,471
$173MAD 1,592
55.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MAD 10.1K
$380MAD 3,493
190.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$727MAD 6,680
$242MAD 2,225
200.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,105MAD 19.3K
$1,660MAD 15.3K
26.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,209MAD 11.1K
$840MAD 7,721
43.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$745MAD 6,843
$486MAD 4,463
53.33%
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: May 31, 2026
Last update for El Jadida: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $460 in Rabat and $223 in El Jadida. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rabat pays 53% 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 $146 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 40% 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 El Jadida?
Rabat pays 53% more on average, 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 vs El Jadida?
Rent for a central apartment: $460 in Rabat versus $223 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 El Jadida?
Supermarket bills run roughly 44% higher in Rabat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Rabat vs 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 El Jadida?
At $647 in El Jadida versus $908 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 40% less than in Rabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.