Cost of Living in Essaouira - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $816 per month with rent, or $443 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,214 per month with rent, or $733 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,613 per month with rent, or $1,023 without housing.

Overall, Essaouira is 41–45% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are 14% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.80 MAD 44.82

$3.20 MAD 29.85

$7.46 MAD 69.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.41 MAD 181

$16.18 MAD 151

$64.7 MAD 604

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 MAD 72.4

$7.20 MAD 67.2

$9.96 MAD 93.0

Cappuccino

$1.48 MAD 13.80

$1.11 MAD 10.35

$4.42 MAD 41.29

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

$0.48 MAD 4.50

$0.33 MAD 3.06

$2.76 MAD 25.75

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 MAD 3.67

$0.23 MAD 2.13

$1.68 MAD 15.67

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.24 MAD 48.94

$1.95 MAD 18.19

$7.35 MAD 68.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.57 MAD 42.68

$3.18 MAD 29.65

$8.46 MAD 79.0

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 MAD 8.44

$0.84 MAD 7.89

$1.16 MAD 10.82

White Bread (500g)

$0.51 MAD 4.80

$0.26 MAD 2.40

$0.82 MAD 7.64

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.82 MAD 16.98

$0.66 MAD 6.16

$2.18 MAD 20.39

Eggs

$1.69 MAD 15.77

$1.26 MAD 11.76

$3.15 MAD 29.44

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.60 MAD 80.3

$3.26 MAD 30.49

$13.06 MAD 122

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.26 MAD 58.4

$2.63 MAD 24.55

$10.98 MAD 103

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.96 MAD 102

$9.54 MAD 89.1

$13.78 MAD 129

Apples (1kg)

$1.31 MAD 12.27

$0.96 MAD 8.95

$2.12 MAD 19.84

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 MAD 11.02

$1.05 MAD 9.84

$1.37 MAD 12.75

Oranges (1kg)

$0.69 MAD 6.42

$0.52 MAD 4.82

$1.03 MAD 9.63

Tomato (1kg)

$0.80 MAD 7.49

$0.44 MAD 4.08

$1.42 MAD 13.27

Potato (1kg)

$0.57 MAD 5.36

$0.53 MAD 4.91

$1.15 MAD 10.73

Onion (1kg)

$0.72 MAD 6.74

$0.44 MAD 4.14

$1.44 MAD 13.47

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.36 MAD 3.37

$0.21 MAD 1.95

$1.23 MAD 11.45

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 MAD 5.72

$0.56 MAD 5.24

$0.78 MAD 7.27

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.98 MAD 37.17

$3.71 MAD 34.69

$4.78 MAD 44.62

Wine (Bottle)

$6.56 MAD 61.2

$2.18 MAD 20.37

$21.85 MAD 204

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 MAD 17.10

$5.33 MAD 49.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 MAD 20.51

$4.95 MAD 46.26

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 MAD 8.22

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.66 MAD 6.19

$0.55 MAD 5.14

$1.10 MAD 10.28

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.64 MAD 5.95

$0.32 MAD 3.02

$1.26 MAD 11.81

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.50 MAD 14.01

$1.41 MAD 13.17

$1.68 MAD 15.71

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

$35.5K MAD 331.0K

$32.2K MAD 300.9K

$36.6K MAD 342.1K

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

$30.8K MAD 287.3K

$27.5K MAD 256.9K

$34.0K MAD 317.8K

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

$25.43 MAD 237

$16.41 MAD 153

$38.31 MAD 358

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

$18.07 MAD 169

$12.97 MAD 121

$21.61 MAD 202

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.61 MAD 286

$21.29 MAD 199

$53.2 MAD 497

Cinema Ticket

$5.49 MAD 51.3

$6.60 MAD 61.6

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

$71.3 MAD 666

$63.4 MAD 592

$84.6 MAD 789

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,919 MAD 17.9K

$1,413 MAD 13.2K

$2,675 MAD 25.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$30.05 MAD 281

$10.69 MAD 99.8

$49.62 MAD 463

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.60 MAD 426

$16.09 MAD 150

$99.7 MAD 930

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.7 MAD 576

$30.43 MAD 284

$109 MAD 1,015

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.99 MAD 401

$21.49 MAD 201

$69.9 MAD 652

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$406 MAD 3,794

$379 MAD 3,541

$433 MAD 4,047

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$356 MAD 3,325

$274 MAD 2,558

$438 MAD 4,093

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$970 MAD 9,055

$862 MAD 8,049

$1,078 MAD 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$594 MAD 5,544

$540 MAD 5,040

$648 MAD 6,048

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$268 MAD 2,504

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $406, dropping to $356 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 152% of the average salary ($268) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $268 – below monthly costs of $816. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $177 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $19.00 – well below the African average of $42.00.

Cost Highlights

Local beer is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa

Essaouira is cheaper than 77% globally but more expensive than 67% within Africa.

Essaouira Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Essaouira - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

By most standards, Essaouira is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $816, 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.

Housing in Essaouira takes a heavy bite – about 152% 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.

In Essaouira, $1,224 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.

Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Essaouira – 1-bedroom apartments range from $356 to $406 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.

Private kindergarten in Essaouira costs about $71.3 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.

Groceries in Essaouira are cheap – a single person spends about $177 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.

$1,000 a month in Essaouira? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $816, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

Essaouira has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to low crime rates, clean air, digital nomad infrastructure. At around $816 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.

Essaouira is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $816 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

Essaouira is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $816 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.