Cost of Living Comparison Between Rabat and El Jadida Cost of Living Comparison Between Rabat and El Jadida

Monthly Cost of Living

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: Rabat 32% lower, El Jadida 50% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.73 MAD 44.09
$3.85 MAD 35.91
22.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.72 MAD 454
$19.90 MAD 186
144.82%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.67 MAD 62.2
$6.75 MAD 62.9
-1.19%
Cappuccino
$2.04 MAD 19.02
$1.52 MAD 14.15
34.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 MAD 5.86
$0.43 MAD 4.03
46.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 MAD 3.78
$0.32 MAD 2.98
28.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.63 MAD 52.5
$2.76 MAD 25.78
103.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.17 MAD 38.93
$3.24 MAD 30.23
28.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.86 MAD 8.06
$0.88 MAD 8.21
-2.27%
White Bread (500g)
$0.47 MAD 4.36
$0.47 MAD 4.39
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.87 MAD 17.43
$1.85 MAD 17.21
1.08%
Eggs
$1.92 MAD 17.94
$1.86 MAD 17.38
3.23%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.96 MAD 121
$5.07 MAD 47.25
155.62%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.15 MAD 66.7
$3.84 MAD 35.83
86.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.93 MAD 111
$7.92 MAD 73.8
50.63%
Apples (1kg)
$1.55 MAD 14.42
$1.58 MAD 14.74
-1.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 MAD 13.40
$1.27 MAD 11.83
13.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.82 MAD 7.67
$0.76 MAD 7.04
7.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.79 MAD 7.37
$0.80 MAD 7.46
-1.25%
Potato (1kg)
$0.72 MAD 6.68
$0.79 MAD 7.38
-8.86%
Onion (1kg)
$0.70 MAD 6.49
$0.49 MAD 4.61
42.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.42 MAD 3.95
$0.33 MAD 3.10
27.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64 MAD 5.92
$0.60 MAD 5.63
6.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.39 MAD 40.92
$4.03 MAD 37.58
8.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.66 MAD 71.4
$4.42 MAD 41.17
73.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.71 MAD 25.29
$2.41 MAD 22.52
12.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 MAD 22.83
$2.93 MAD 27.34
-16.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.53 MAD 4.93
$0.50 MAD 4.69
6.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.66 MAD 258
$25.83 MAD 241
7.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 MAD 4.92
$1.07 MAD 10.00
-50.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.88 MAD 8.23
$0.49 MAD 4.56
79.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.33 MAD 40.34
$3.32 MAD 30.94
30.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MAD 14.22
$1.53 MAD 14.26
-0.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.3K MAD 348.0K
$32.9K MAD 307.2K
13.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6K MAD 276.0K
$30.0K MAD 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)
$41.99 MAD 392
$31.73 MAD 296
32.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.87 MAD 101
$10.91 MAD 102
-0.37%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.97 MAD 373
$33.07 MAD 308
20.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.61 MAD 285
$27.23 MAD 254
12.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.43 MAD 265
$17.78 MAD 166
59.90%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 MAD 60.5
$6.68 MAD 62.3
-2.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$160 MAD 1,490
$89.2 MAD 832
79.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,628 MAD 61.8K
$2,638 MAD 24.6K
151.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.7 MAD 501
$40.04 MAD 373
34.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.14 MAD 458
$41.07 MAD 383
19.65%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$109 MAD 1,015
$66.4 MAD 619
63.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.0 MAD 914
$60.2 MAD 561
62.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$459 MAD 4,279
$231 MAD 2,155
98.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$259 MAD 2,414
$173 MAD 1,613
49.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,120 MAD 10.4K
$390 MAD 3,633
187.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$746 MAD 6,955
$250 MAD 2,334
197.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,090 MAD 19.5K
$1,597 MAD 14.9K
30.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,204 MAD 11.2K
$822 MAD 7,661
46.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rabat
El Jadida
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$739 MAD 6,891
$473 MAD 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.

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