Cost of Living in Harare - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $990 monthly including rent, or $634 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,688 with rent, or $1,196 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,385 including rent, or $1,759 for daily expenses alone.

Harare sits 16–26% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are close to average – just 2% lower.

Currency
Do you live in Harare? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.92 ZWL 265
$4.46 ZWL 119
$19.84 ZWL 529
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.31 ZWL 1,316
$39.45 ZWL 1,052
$118 ZWL 3,157
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.09 ZWL 189
$5.06 ZWL 135
$8.10 ZWL 216
Cappuccino
$2.96 ZWL 78.9
$1.00 ZWL 26.57
$4.98 ZWL 133
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 ZWL 18.70
$0.51 ZWL 13.55
$2.03 ZWL 54.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ZWL 12.36
$0.31 ZWL 8.24
$1.03 ZWL 27.47
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.53 ZWL 40.70
$1.02 ZWL 27.13
$3.05 ZWL 81.4
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 ZWL 54.6
$1.53 ZWL 40.94
$3.07 ZWL 81.9
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 ZWL 42.01
$0.99 ZWL 26.42
$1.98 ZWL 52.8
White Bread (500g)
$0.97 ZWL 25.93
$0.97 ZWL 25.93
$1.17 ZWL 31.12
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.86 ZWL 49.50
$0.97 ZWL 25.92
$2.91 ZWL 77.8
Eggs
$2.10 ZWL 55.9
$1.48 ZWL 39.56
$2.97 ZWL 79.1
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.83 ZWL 289
$2.98 ZWL 79.4
$29.77 ZWL 794
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.23 ZWL 166
$3.30 ZWL 88.0
$9.70 ZWL 259
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.21 ZWL 166
$4.38 ZWL 117
$10.72 ZWL 286
Apples (1kg)
$2.87 ZWL 76.6
$1.46 ZWL 38.95
$3.89 ZWL 104
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 ZWL 45.01
$1.02 ZWL 27.12
$3.05 ZWL 81.4
Oranges (1kg)
$2.17 ZWL 57.9
$0.97 ZWL 25.96
$3.59 ZWL 95.8
Tomato (1kg)
$1.70 ZWL 45.39
$1.01 ZWL 27.02
$3.04 ZWL 81.1
Potato (1kg)
$1.55 ZWL 41.36
$0.51 ZWL 13.52
$3.04 ZWL 81.1
Onion (1kg)
$2.00 ZWL 53.3
$0.99 ZWL 26.40
$2.97 ZWL 79.2
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 ZWL 27.49
$0.52 ZWL 13.88
$2.08 ZWL 55.5
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95 ZWL 25.31
$0.48 ZWL 12.91
$1.45 ZWL 38.74
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.08 ZWL 28.83
$0.98 ZWL 26.21
$1.96 ZWL 52.4
Wine (Bottle)
$9.32 ZWL 249
$4.91 ZWL 131
$9.81 ZWL 262
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 ZWL 29.98
$0.98 ZWL 26.07
$1.47 ZWL 39.11
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71 ZWL 45.70
$0.98 ZWL 26.12
$2.94 ZWL 78.4
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.98 ZWL 26.27
$0.49 ZWL 13.13
$0.98 ZWL 26.27
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.84 ZWL 1,116
$24.61 ZWL 657
$59.1 ZWL 1,576
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.98 ZWL 133
$2.99 ZWL 79.7
$9.95 ZWL 266
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.98 ZWL 52.9
$1.98 ZWL 52.9
$2.98 ZWL 79.4
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.03 ZWL 134
$5.03 ZWL 134
$5.03 ZWL 134
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 ZWL 41.37
$1.46 ZWL 39.01
$1.62 ZWL 43.20
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9K ZWL 531.5K
$17.9K ZWL 478.3K
$24.9K ZWL 664.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0K ZWL 613.8K
$21.6K ZWL 577.1K
$24.6K ZWL 655.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$58.0 ZWL 1,547
$39.76 ZWL 1,061
$99.4 ZWL 2,652
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.53 ZWL 468
$14.87 ZWL 397
$24.78 ZWL 661
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$92.1 ZWL 2,456
$59.7 ZWL 1,592
$199 ZWL 5,308
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.1 ZWL 1,442
$25.34 ZWL 676
$81.1 ZWL 2,163
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.23 ZWL 380
$5.02 ZWL 134
$20.08 ZWL 536
Cinema Ticket
$10.11 ZWL 270
$6.07 ZWL 162
$20.22 ZWL 540
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$277 ZWL 7,384
$199 ZWL 5,316
$498 ZWL 13.3K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,215 ZWL 192.5K
$2,960 ZWL 79.0K
$14.8K ZWL 394.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.55 ZWL 522
$10.09 ZWL 269
$30.26 ZWL 807
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.55 ZWL 575
$10.09 ZWL 269
$50.4 ZWL 1,346
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$35.11 ZWL 937
$25.38 ZWL 677
$50.8 ZWL 1,354
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.98 ZWL 1,093
$20.31 ZWL 542
$60.9 ZWL 1,625
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$398 ZWL 10.6K
$250 ZWL 6,675
$801 ZWL 21.4K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$279 ZWL 7,436
$150 ZWL 4,004
$450 ZWL 12.0K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$954 ZWL 25.5K
$597 ZWL 15.9K
$1,792 ZWL 47.8K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$695 ZWL 18.5K
$401 ZWL 10.7K
$1,302 ZWL 34.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$934 ZWL 24.9K
$504 ZWL 13.5K
$1,061 ZWL 28.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$390 ZWL 10.4K
$349 ZWL 9,305
$421 ZWL 11.2K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$400 ZWL 10.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.31
10
18

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

Last update: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $398 for a central one-bedroom, or $279 outside the center. At 99% of the average salary ($400), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $400, while typical expenses reach $990. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $217 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $49.00 for two – above the African average of $42.00.

Public transport is priced at around $41.84 per month – above the African average of $29.00.

Cost Highlights

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 96% of cities in Africa

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa

Gym membership is more expensive than 94% of cities in Africa

Harare Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
Cost of Living in Harare - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Harare compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Harare offers a favorable balance of value and lifestyle for many travelers and longer-stay visitors. The Cost of Living in Harare tends to be modest for everyday essentials like produce, local dining, and basic services, while imported goods and premium neighborhoods push costs higher. Expat packages, where available, can ease budgeting, and many digital nomads find value in short-term rentals tied to neighborhoods with good Wi‑Fi and co-working spaces. The key is choosing areas that balance safety, access to transit, and amenities, plus learning the rhythms of markets and hours. Tip: Start with a few short stays in different neighborhoods to gauge value before committing.
What does daily life look like for budgeting day-to-day in Harare, including housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
Daily life here centers on flexibility and local options. For housing, explore secure, well-connected suburbs and be prepared for a range of rental terms; short-term or shared apartments are common entry points for newcomers. Groceries come from markets and shops offering fresh produce and staples; imported items push prices up. Transport blends minibus taxis, ride-hailing, and easy walking in compact areas. Co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi support remote work, though you may encounter peak-hour slowdowns. Errands flow more smoothly when you map markets, pharmacies, and banks by neighborhood. Harare living cost can shift with location, so budgeting around a couple of target areas helps you compare convenience to price. Tip: Build a simple weekly plan to corral groceries, transit, and work days.
How can you optimize your stay for quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Harare comes from neighborhood fit, a simple budgeting framework, and seasonal awareness. Start with three core districts that match your priorities – proximity to work, safe nightlife, and access to markets – and test them across a couple of weeks. Budget hygiene: separate recurring costs (housing, food, transport) and flex with goals for savings or experiences. Seasonal patterns affect outdoor activities, power availability, and travel times; plan accordingly. Save by cooking at home, buying in-season produce, and using public transport or walking where feasible. Building a routine helps reduce impulse spending and lets you enjoy local life without overstretching. Tip: Create a rotating weekly plan to balance errands, work, and exploration.
Does Harare offer good value for money?
At around $990 monthly all-in, Harare offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How expensive is daily life in Harare?
Everyday life in Harare is moderately priced at about $990 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Is the average income in Harare enough to cover living costs and save?
At $400 take-home, most residents in Harare can cover the $990 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,485 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What is the price of renting a flat in Harare?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Harare range from $279 to $398, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
What does commuting cost in Harare?
A monthly transit pass in Harare goes for roughly $41.84, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Harare?
Childcare averages $277 monthly at a private kindergarten in Harare. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,500 a month enough for Harare?
Living on $1,500 in Harare means careful planning, since monthly costs average $990. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Harare?
Living in Harare means access to vibrant nightlife, great local cuisine, multilingual environment at about $990 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Harare?
Monthly expenses in Harare run around $990, so putting money aside takes more than $1,485 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
How budget-friendly is Harare for travelers?
Budget travel in Harare works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $990 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.

Harare vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities