Last update: Oct 2026 Morocco 78K

Cost of Living in Essaouira

For one person, living costs in Essaouira are estimated at $782 a month, including rent and utilities, which take just under half of the total. Other living expenses average about $14 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Essaouira

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Essaouira actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $782 per month with rent, or $428 for everyday expenses alone.

$782 /mo

A couple spends around $1,172 per month with rent, or $704 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,172 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,562 per month with rent, or $980 without housing.

$1,562 /mo

Overall, Essaouira is 42–45% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 14% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.62 MAD 45.00
$3.08 MAD 30.00
$7.18 MAD 70.0
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81 MAD 183
$15.67 MAD 153
$62.7 MAD 611
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.12 MAD 69.4
$6.62 MAD 64.5
$9.16 MAD 89.3
Cappuccino
$1.35 MAD 13.14
$1.01 MAD 9.80
$4.03 MAD 39.31
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 MAD 4.58
$0.32 MAD 3.15
$2.69 MAD 26.25
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 MAD 3.68
$0.22 MAD 2.15
$1.62 MAD 15.84
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.31 MAD 51.8
$2.09 MAD 20.33
$7.43 MAD 72.4
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 MAD 44.93
$3.15 MAD 30.68
$8.40 MAD 81.9
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.90 MAD 8.79
$0.84 MAD 8.20
$1.16 MAD 11.26
White Bread (500g)
$0.54 MAD 5.25
$0.27 MAD 2.63
$0.86 MAD 8.39
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 MAD 16.28
$0.61 MAD 5.90
$2.02 MAD 19.71
Eggs
$1.68 MAD 16.37
$1.25 MAD 12.23
$3.14 MAD 30.57
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.27 MAD 80.6
$3.14 MAD 30.62
$12.56 MAD 122
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.81 MAD 56.6
$2.45 MAD 23.84
$10.19 MAD 99.3
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.62 MAD 104
$9.25 MAD 90.2
$13.35 MAD 130
Apples (1kg)
$1.30 MAD 12.63
$0.94 MAD 9.17
$2.09 MAD 20.42
Banana (1kg)
$1.14 MAD 11.12
$1.01 MAD 9.88
$1.32 MAD 12.85
Oranges (1kg)
$0.72 MAD 7.02
$0.54 MAD 5.29
$1.07 MAD 10.48
Tomato (1kg)
$0.77 MAD 7.52
$0.42 MAD 4.06
$1.36 MAD 13.26
Potato (1kg)
$0.58 MAD 5.67
$0.53 MAD 5.17
$1.16 MAD 11.34
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 MAD 6.66
$0.42 MAD 4.08
$1.37 MAD 13.32
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.38 MAD 3.67
$0.22 MAD 2.14
$1.30 MAD 12.64
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 MAD 5.68
$0.53 MAD 5.18
$0.74 MAD 7.17
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84 MAD 37.44
$3.59 MAD 35.02
$4.61 MAD 44.99
Wine (Bottle)
$6.32 MAD 61.6
$2.11 MAD 20.57
$21.06 MAD 205
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 MAD 17.76
$1.82 MAD 17.76
$5.32 MAD 51.9
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 MAD 20.77
$2.13 MAD 20.77
$4.78 MAD 46.65
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.82 MAD 7.99
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.64 MAD 6.22
$0.53 MAD 5.21
$1.06 MAD 10.33
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.63 MAD 6.19
$0.33 MAD 3.19
$1.27 MAD 12.37
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 MAD 14.16
$1.32 MAD 12.91
$1.58 MAD 15.42
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6K MAD 337.3K
$31.4K MAD 306.5K
$35.8K MAD 348.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.5K MAD 287.8K
$26.4K MAD 257.2K
$32.6K MAD 318.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$23.89 MAD 233
$15.43 MAD 150
$36.00 MAD 351
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.25 MAD 168
$12.23 MAD 119
$20.37 MAD 199
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.01 MAD 293
$20.88 MAD 204
$52.2 MAD 509
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$5.30 MAD 51.7
$5.30 MAD 51.7
$6.36 MAD 62.0
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$69.0 MAD 672
$61.3 MAD 598
$81.7 MAD 797
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,875 MAD 18.3K
$1,380 MAD 13.5K
$2,613 MAD 25.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.38 MAD 286
$10.45 MAD 102
$51.3 MAD 500
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.72 MAD 436
$15.78 MAD 154
$103 MAD 1,007
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.0 MAD 576
$28.84 MAD 281
$103 MAD 1,004
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.76 MAD 407
$20.87 MAD 204
$71.7 MAD 699
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$393 MAD 3,835
$367 MAD 3,579
$420 MAD 4,090
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$330 MAD 3,217
$254 MAD 2,475
$406 MAD 3,959
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$930 MAD 9,071
$827 MAD 8,063
$1,034 MAD 10.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$557 MAD 5,433
$507 MAD 4,939
$608 MAD 5,926
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$256 MAD 2,498
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.5
3
10

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

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Essaouira $782
Accommodation & Living
$330
Groceries & Markets
$171
Eating Out
$114
Clothing & Footwear
$79
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$71
Sport & Entertainment
$11 *
Getting Around
$7.1 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $393, dropping to $330 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 153% of the average salary ($256) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $256 – below monthly costs of $782. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $171 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $19.00 – well below the African average of $41.00.

Cost Highlights

Local beer is more expensive than 97% of cities in Africa

Essaouira is cheaper than 78% globally but more expensive than 71% within Africa.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
12:47 12:47 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
77,966
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MAD – Moroccan Dirham Converter

Moroccan Dirham exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 9.75 MAD (1 MAD = 0.103 USD). 1 EUR = 10.96 MAD (100 MAD = 9.12 EUR).

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Essaouira Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Essaouira - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Essaouira compare in terms of affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Essaouira tends to offer a warm blend of value and lifestyle that appeals to travelers, expats, and emerging digital nomads. The city balances modest lodging options, casual dining, and affordable local markets with a scenic, walkable layout. For many, Cost of Living in Essaouira feels approachable because you can anchor a comfortable routine without the price tag of larger hubs. Expect fair prices for fresh seafood, produce, and crafts, plus the option to negotiate longer-term rents or guesthouse stays. Seasonal crowds can shift prices, but the overall rhythm remains welcoming for flexible budgets. Tip: scout accommodations in advance and test neighborhoods before committing.
What does daily life look like in Essaouira in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
Daily life in Essaouira blends market freshness with coastal charm. Housing search centers on riads in the medina or modern apartments near the beachfront, often with flexible lease terms for short stays. Food options range from casual cafes to fish markets and home cooking with fresh produce. Transport is simple here, walk, bike, or use small taxis for longer trips. Co-working spaces with reliable WiFi are common near popular cafes and guesthouses. By gauging the Essaouira living cost across neighborhoods, you can tailor your search to balance rent, access, and lifestyle. Tip: start with a short-term rental to test commute times and noise levels before committing long-term.
How would you frame quality of life and budgeting in Essaouira, including ways to save and how seasonality and neighborhood fit affect daily living?
Essaouira rewards a mindful approach to budgeting and daily choices, blending sea breeze with culture. A practical framework centers on housing, meals, and occasional experiences, with a bias toward longer stays to secure fairer terms. Save by cooking at home with market produce, choosing guesthouses with kitchen access, and using bicycles or walking for errands. Seasonality shifts crowds and availability, so plan shoulder months for quieter streets and better deals. Neighborhood fit matters: some prefer the lively medina lanes, others the quiet beachfront paths, both offering easy access to cafes and coworking. Tip: build a simple monthly plan and adjust it as you explore different districts.
How affordable is daily life in Essaouira?
By most standards, Essaouira is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $782, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
How much of a salary does housing take in Essaouira?
Housing in Essaouira takes a heavy bite – about 153% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
How much should you earn to live well in Essaouira?
In Essaouira, $1,173 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
How affordable is housing in Essaouira?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Essaouira – 1-bedroom apartments range from $330 to $393 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
What are kindergarten prices in Essaouira?
Private kindergarten in Essaouira costs about $69.0 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Essaouira?
Groceries in Essaouira are cheap – a single person spends about $171 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Essaouira?
$1,000 a month in Essaouira? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $782, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What makes Essaouira attractive for remote workers?
Essaouira has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to low crime rates, clean air, digital nomad infrastructure. At around $782 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.
Is Essaouira a cheap city to live in?
Essaouira is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $782 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
Can you backpack through Essaouira cheaply?
Essaouira is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $782 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.

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