Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwa and Bulawayo Cost of Living Comparison Between Ruwa and Bulawayo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.55 ZWL 122

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.45 ZWL 815

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.03 ZWL 135

Cappuccino

$2.11 ZWL 56.4

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZWL 14.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ZWL 9.72

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 ZWL 39.40

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 ZWL 54.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 ZWL 43.27

White Bread (500g)

$0.97 ZWL 26.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 ZWL 41.12

Eggs

$1.84 ZWL 49.27

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.96 ZWL 267

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.96 ZWL 106

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.62 ZWL 124

Apples (1kg)

$1.78 ZWL 47.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 ZWL 43.17

Oranges (1kg)

$2.43 ZWL 65.1

Tomato (1kg)

$1.04 ZWL 27.89

Potato (1kg)

$1.21 ZWL 32.50

Onion (1kg)

$1.38 ZWL 36.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 ZWL 29.18

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.81 ZWL 21.72

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.52 ZWL 40.63

Wine (Bottle)

$5.09 ZWL 136

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.36 ZWL 36.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 ZWL 49.58

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.78 ZWL 20.99

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.06 ZWL 805

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 ZWL 79.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 ZWL 52.0

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.97 ZWL 133

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 ZWL 42.96

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.4K ZWL 680.1K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K ZWL 679.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$94.6 ZWL 2,533

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.53 ZWL 469

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$107 ZWL 2,876

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.74 ZWL 850

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.16 ZWL 540

Cinema Ticket

$9.87 ZWL 264

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$228 ZWL 6,105

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,439 ZWL 92.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$21.35 ZWL 571

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$11.80 ZWL 316

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.40 ZWL 1,215

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$57.4 ZWL 1,536

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$173 ZWL 4,643

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$108 ZWL 2,899

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$417 ZWL 11.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$319 ZWL 8,528

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,135 ZWL 57.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,019 ZWL 54.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$305 ZWL 8,177

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ruwa: September 28, 2026

Last update for Bulawayo: September 28, 2026

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

Ruwa vs Bulawayo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Ruwa – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Ruwa. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bulawayo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.