😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $869 in Rabat versus $651 in El Jadida.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,515 in Rabat versus $967 in El Jadida.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,161 in Rabat versus $1,282 in El Jadida.
🌍Living in Rabat is roughly 33% more expensive than in El Jadida, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rabat37% lower, El Jadida53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.21MAD 39.60
$2.87MAD 27.01
46.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.15MAD 406
$21.20MAD 199
103.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.38MAD 69.4
$6.21MAD 58.4
18.84%
Cappuccino
$1.93MAD 18.12
$1.59MAD 14.96
21.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64MAD 6.01
$0.47MAD 4.43
36.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35MAD 3.25
$0.29MAD 2.68
20.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.35MAD 50.3
$2.79MAD 26.24
91.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29MAD 30.95
$2.63MAD 24.67
25.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85MAD 8.03
$0.96MAD 9.01
-11.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68MAD 6.40
$0.42MAD 3.92
61.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.89MAD 17.73
$1.97MAD 18.53
-4.06%
Eggs
$1.98MAD 18.65
$1.94MAD 18.19
2.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.90MAD 112
$6.56MAD 61.6
81.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.68MAD 62.7
$4.20MAD 39.49
59.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.45MAD 117
$8.20MAD 77.0
51.83%
Apples(1kg)
$1.71MAD 16.05
$1.59MAD 14.94
7.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MAD 13.73
$1.47MAD 13.84
-0.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.88MAD 8.23
$0.72MAD 6.74
22.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.92MAD 8.61
$0.67MAD 6.32
37.31%
Potato(1kg)
$0.75MAD 7.07
$0.69MAD 6.46
8.70%
Onion(1kg)
$0.77MAD 7.20
$0.48MAD 4.48
60.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.42MAD 3.92
$0.33MAD 3.14
27.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59MAD 5.54
$0.54MAD 5.07
9.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23MAD 39.71
$3.98MAD 37.44
6.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.84MAD 73.7
$4.15MAD 38.99
88.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.68MAD 25.18
$2.61MAD 24.52
2.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69MAD 25.24
$3.02MAD 28.42
-10.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.55MAD 5.19
$0.47MAD 4.38
17.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.52MAD 249
$17.20MAD 162
54.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72MAD 6.74
$1.08MAD 10.17
-33.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90MAD 8.44
$1.09MAD 10.25
-17.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.15MAD 39.00
$5.46MAD 51.3
-23.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57MAD 14.80
$1.56MAD 14.65
0.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6KMAD 324.7K
$34.9KMAD 327.8K
-0.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KMAD 295.8K
$31.2KMAD 293.1K
0.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$35.38MAD 333
$29.29MAD 275
20.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.58MAD 99.4
$10.52MAD 98.9
0.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.25MAD 312
$32.46MAD 305
2.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.18MAD 284
$29.84MAD 280
1.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.55MAD 259
$12.61MAD 118
118.48%
Cinema Ticket
$6.52MAD 61.3
$6.58MAD 61.8
-0.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$186MAD 1,745
$116MAD 1,086
60.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,068MAD 66.4K
$3,239MAD 30.4K
118.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.3MAD 473
$28.85MAD 271
74.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.47MAD 418
$37.71MAD 354
17.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.4MAD 878
$66.7MAD 627
40.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.0MAD 648
$74.0MAD 695
-6.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$519MAD 4,877
$211MAD 1,987
145.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$278MAD 2,609
$173MAD 1,624
60.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,114MAD 10.5K
$369MAD 3,465
201.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$674MAD 6,329
$237MAD 2,227
184.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,018MAD 19.0K
$1,570MAD 14.8K
28.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,187MAD 11.2K
$818MAD 7,688
45.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$749MAD 7,036
$482MAD 4,530
55.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.52
5.5
-17.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rabat: September 7, 2026
Last update for El Jadida: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $519 in Rabat and $211 in El Jadida. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rabat pays 55% 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: $43.00 in Rabat vs $21.00 in El Jadida for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $156 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 33% 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 55% 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: $519 in Rabat versus $211 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 34% 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 $21.00 versus $43.00 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 $651 in El Jadida versus $869 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 33% less than in Rabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.