😐A single person spends $902 per month in Victoria Falls vs $779 in Mutare, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,450 per month in Victoria Falls vs $1,247 in Mutare, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,997 per month in Victoria Falls vs $1,715 in Mutare, rent included.
😐Victoria Falls costs about 16% more than Mutare, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Victoria Falls and Mutare are more affordable than the global median – Victoria Falls33% lower, Mutare42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.09ZWL 270
$10.07ZWL 270
0.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.80ZWL 1,226
$50.8ZWL 1,359
-9.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.63ZWL 124
-
Cappuccino
$6.15ZWL 165
$1.27ZWL 34.11
384.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97ZWL 26.03
$0.67ZWL 18.04
44.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48ZWL 12.75
$0.43ZWL 11.51
11.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76ZWL 47.22
$1.31ZWL 35.11
34.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.82ZWL 48.65
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.96ZWL 52.5
$1.24ZWL 33.12
58.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99ZWL 26.44
$1.02ZWL 27.41
-2.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95ZWL 52.1
$1.33ZWL 35.64
46.62%
Eggs
$3.59ZWL 96.0
$1.92ZWL 51.5
86.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.44ZWL 65.4
$3.01ZWL 80.7
-18.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.94ZWL 159
$4.07ZWL 109
45.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.14ZWL 218
$5.17ZWL 139
57.45%
Apples(1kg)
$2.91ZWL 78.0
$2.03ZWL 54.3
43.35%
Banana(1kg)
$2.93ZWL 78.6
$1.64ZWL 43.93
78.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.97ZWL 79.6
$2.02ZWL 54.0
47.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.90ZWL 104
$0.99ZWL 26.43
293.94%
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.57ZWL 41.97
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.97ZWL 52.8
$0.98ZWL 26.17
101.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.02ZWL 54.2
$0.51ZWL 13.70
296.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.54ZWL 41.33
$1.02ZWL 27.21
50.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.33ZWL 35.71
$1.12ZWL 29.91
18.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.30ZWL 543
$5.89ZWL 158
244.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.17ZWL 31.39
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.68ZWL 44.96
-
🚌 Getting Around
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92ZWL 24.57
$0.51ZWL 13.77
80.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$27.01ZWL 723
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.06ZWL 81.9
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.97ZWL 26.02
$1.97ZWL 52.7
-50.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.85ZWL 130
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82ZWL 48.67
$1.56ZWL 41.72
16.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$19.8KZWL 530.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$23.5KZWL 628.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$25.06ZWL 671
$57.5ZWL 1,540
-56.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.46ZWL 681
$14.83ZWL 397
71.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.8ZWL 1,789
$60.8ZWL 1,627
9.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$60.6ZWL 1,622
$39.97ZWL 1,070
51.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.84ZWL 397
$4.90ZWL 131
202.86%
Cinema Ticket
$20.20ZWL 541
$9.98ZWL 267
102.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$101ZWL 2,708
$148ZWL 3,961
-31.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,939ZWL 159.0K
$7,258ZWL 194.3K
-18.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.79ZWL 396
$9.85ZWL 264
50.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.75ZWL 662
$9.39ZWL 251
163.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.9ZWL 1,576
$25.10ZWL 672
134.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.10ZWL 1,181
$19.78ZWL 529
122.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$253ZWL 6,764
$355ZWL 9,491
-28.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$181ZWL 4,843
$252ZWL 6,748
-28.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$509ZWL 13.6K
$753ZWL 20.2K
-32.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$346ZWL 9,263
$398ZWL 10.7K
-13.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$253ZWL 6,783
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Victoria Falls
Mutare
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$791ZWL 21.2K
$247ZWL 6,599
220.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.31
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Victoria Falls: June 8, 2026
Last update for Mutare: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $253 in Victoria Falls versus $355 in Mutare. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 221% higher in Victoria Falls, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $46.00 in Victoria Falls versus $51.0 in Mutare. Groceries tell a different story – $248 in Victoria Falls vs $155 in Mutare – so Mutare wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Victoria Falls vs Mutare: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mutare cheaper than Victoria Falls?
Yes – Victoria Falls is pricier by about 16%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,353 per month in Victoria Falls and $1,168 in Mutare. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mutare, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Victoria Falls vs Mutare?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $902 in Victoria Falls and $779 in Mutare. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $101 per month in Victoria Falls and $148 in Mutare. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Victoria Falls or Mutare?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Mutare, where all-in costs run around $779, than in Victoria Falls at $902. In Mutare it covers expenses comfortably, while in Victoria Falls it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Victoria Falls or Mutare more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mutare – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Mutare. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Victoria Falls makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Victoria Falls vs other spots: cost of living compared