😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $869 in Rabat versus $745 in Khemisset.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,515 in Rabat versus $1,164 in Khemisset.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,161 in Rabat versus $1,583 in Khemisset.
🌍Living in Rabat is roughly 17% more expensive than in Khemisset, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rabat37% lower, Khemisset46% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.21MAD 39.60
$1.59MAD 14.91
164.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.15MAD 406
$37.45MAD 352
15.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.38MAD 69.4
$7.36MAD 69.1
0.27%
Cappuccino
$1.93MAD 18.12
$0.84MAD 7.91
129.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64MAD 6.01
$0.81MAD 7.62
-20.99%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35MAD 3.25
$0.23MAD 2.17
52.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.35MAD 50.3
$6.27MAD 58.9
-14.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29MAD 30.95
$5.31MAD 49.86
-38.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85MAD 8.03
$0.90MAD 8.46
-5.56%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68MAD 6.40
$0.46MAD 4.36
47.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.89MAD 17.73
$1.41MAD 13.27
34.04%
Eggs
$1.98MAD 18.65
$1.89MAD 17.75
4.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.90MAD 112
$10.61MAD 99.7
12.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.68MAD 62.7
$7.13MAD 67.0
-6.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.45MAD 117
$8.39MAD 78.8
48.39%
Apples(1kg)
$1.71MAD 16.05
$0.95MAD 8.90
80.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MAD 13.73
$1.14MAD 10.75
28.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.88MAD 8.23
$0.77MAD 7.22
14.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.92MAD 8.61
$0.42MAD 3.90
119.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.75MAD 7.07
$0.66MAD 6.24
13.64%
Onion(1kg)
$0.77MAD 7.20
$0.66MAD 6.24
16.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.42MAD 3.92
$0.48MAD 4.47
-12.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59MAD 5.54
$0.62MAD 5.78
-4.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23MAD 39.71
$4.34MAD 40.79
-2.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.84MAD 73.7
$9.52MAD 89.5
-17.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.68MAD 25.18
$3.86MAD 36.30
-30.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69MAD 25.24
$4.07MAD 38.23
-33.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.55MAD 5.19
$0.56MAD 5.22
-1.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.52MAD 249
$19.34MAD 182
37.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72MAD 6.74
$0.73MAD 6.82
-1.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90MAD 8.44
$0.88MAD 8.31
2.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.15MAD 39.00
$9.97MAD 93.7
-58.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57MAD 14.80
$1.55MAD 14.59
1.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6KMAD 324.7K
$35.4KMAD 332.4K
-2.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KMAD 295.8K
$30.4KMAD 285.7K
3.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$35.38MAD 333
$36.71MAD 345
-3.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.58MAD 99.4
$6.58MAD 61.8
60.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.25MAD 312
$40.34MAD 379
-17.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.18MAD 284
$13.40MAD 126
125.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.55MAD 259
$21.53MAD 202
27.96%
Cinema Ticket
$6.52MAD 61.3
$7.58MAD 71.2
-13.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$186MAD 1,745
$97.0MAD 912
91.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,068MAD 66.4K
$6,417MAD 60.3K
10.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.3MAD 473
$37.07MAD 348
35.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.47MAD 418
$50.7MAD 477
-12.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.4MAD 878
$101MAD 951
-7.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.0MAD 648
$107MAD 1,007
-35.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$519MAD 4,877
$275MAD 2,580
89.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$278MAD 2,609
$177MAD 1,662
56.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,114MAD 10.5K
$476MAD 4,477
133.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$674MAD 6,329
$281MAD 2,645
139.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,018MAD 19.0K
$1,256MAD 11.8K
60.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,187MAD 11.2K
$870MAD 8,173
36.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rabat
Khemisset
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$749MAD 7,036
$400MAD 3,758
87.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.52
3.67
23.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rabat: September 7, 2026
Last update for Khemisset: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $519 in Rabat and $275 in Khemisset. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rabat pays 87% 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 $37.00 in Khemisset for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $195 per month, with Khemisset 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 Khemisset: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rabat and in Khemisset?
Rabat and Khemisset differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($869 vs $745 including rent). Khemisset is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Rabat or Khemisset?
Average pay runs 87% 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 do apartment prices compare in Rabat and in Khemisset?
Rent for a central apartment: $519 in Rabat versus $275 in Khemisset. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Khemisset – a meal for two runs $37.00 versus $43.00 in Rabat. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rabat or Khemisset?
All in, you'll spend $869 per month in Rabat versus $745 in Khemisset – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $745 in Khemisset versus $869 in Rabat, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Khemisset but tight or insufficient in Rabat. The gap between the two cities makes Khemisset the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Rabat and Khemisset?
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.
Is Rabat or Khemisset safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Rabat and Khemisset are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Rabat or Khemisset?
Expats usually find Khemisset gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Rabat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.