Last update: Oct 2026 Zimbabwe 72.5K

Cost of Living in Masvingo

For one person, living costs in Masvingo are estimated at $597 a month, including rent and utilities – 29% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Masvingo

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

A single person spends around $597 per month with rent, or $546 for everyday expenses alone.

$597 /mo

A couple spends around $990 per month with rent, or $938 for everyday expenses alone.

$990 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,383 per month with rent, or $1,331 without housing.

$1,383 /mo

Overall, Masvingo is 51–56% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are well below average (34% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
Do you live in Masvingo? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.10 ZWL 269
$3.03 ZWL 80.7
$20.21 ZWL 538
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.94 ZWL 1,196
$29.96 ZWL 797
$79.9 ZWL 2,126
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.82 ZWL 155
$5.06 ZWL 135
$10.12 ZWL 269
Cappuccino
$3.03 ZWL 80.7
$1.52 ZWL 40.32
$6.06 ZWL 161
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 ZWL 26.30
$0.51 ZWL 13.70
$2.06 ZWL 54.8
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ZWL 11.94
$0.29 ZWL 7.62
$0.95 ZWL 25.40
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.28 ZWL 33.96
$0.92 ZWL 24.45
$3.06 ZWL 81.5
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 ZWL 52.0
$1.47 ZWL 39.00
$2.93 ZWL 78.0
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.52 ZWL 40.57
$1.51 ZWL 40.31
$2.02 ZWL 53.7
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 ZWL 27.36
$1.03 ZWL 27.36
$1.23 ZWL 32.83
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.65 ZWL 43.86
$0.98 ZWL 26.11
$2.94 ZWL 78.3
Eggs
$1.89 ZWL 50.4
$1.57 ZWL 41.78
$2.36 ZWL 62.7
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.58 ZWL 308
$5.05 ZWL 134
$30.32 ZWL 807
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.47 ZWL 145
$3.02 ZWL 80.5
$7.06 ZWL 188
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.59 ZWL 175
$5.04 ZWL 134
$9.08 ZWL 242
Apples (1kg)
$2.93 ZWL 78.1
$1.95 ZWL 51.9
$4.87 ZWL 130
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 ZWL 43.17
$0.97 ZWL 25.85
$1.94 ZWL 51.7
Oranges (1kg)
$1.97 ZWL 52.4
$1.08 ZWL 28.66
$2.43 ZWL 64.5
Tomato (1kg)
$1.52 ZWL 40.39
$0.87 ZWL 23.19
$1.96 ZWL 52.1
Potato (1kg)
$1.70 ZWL 45.32
$0.98 ZWL 26.09
$1.98 ZWL 52.7
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 ZWL 45.45
$0.97 ZWL 25.83
$2.91 ZWL 77.5
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.30 ZWL 34.48
$0.77 ZWL 20.52
$2.06 ZWL 54.7
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01 ZWL 26.95
$0.52 ZWL 13.89
$1.57 ZWL 41.67
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.95 ZWL 51.9
$1.17 ZWL 31.12
$2.92 ZWL 77.8
Wine (Bottle)
$8.27 ZWL 220
$3.05 ZWL 81.1
$10.15 ZWL 270
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 ZWL 37.16
$1.03 ZWL 27.32
$1.56 ZWL 41.53
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 ZWL 51.3
$1.49 ZWL 39.70
$2.98 ZWL 79.4
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.04 ZWL 107
$3.03 ZWL 80.6
$5.05 ZWL 134
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.96 ZWL 52.0
$1.47 ZWL 39.03
$2.93 ZWL 78.1
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.03 ZWL 134
$5.03 ZWL 134
$15.10 ZWL 402
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.87 ZWL 49.74
$1.53 ZWL 40.72
$2.26 ZWL 60.1
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K ZWL 589.3K
$20.1K ZWL 535.7K
$25.2K ZWL 669.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K ZWL 732.7K
$23.0K ZWL 612.8K
$36.0K ZWL 959.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$51.5 ZWL 1,370
$30.09 ZWL 801
$100 ZWL 2,669
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.86 ZWL 582
$12.20 ZWL 325
$50.8 ZWL 1,353
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2 ZWL 1,841
$45.13 ZWL 1,201
$100 ZWL 2,669
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$9.80 ZWL 261
$5.88 ZWL 157
$19.61 ZWL 522
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$428 ZWL 11.4K
$148 ZWL 3,943
$938 ZWL 25.0K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,587 ZWL 228.5K
$4,817 ZWL 128.2K
$21.1K ZWL 560.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.29 ZWL 620
$10.03 ZWL 267
$50.1 ZWL 1,334
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.32 ZWL 567
$10.08 ZWL 268
$30.24 ZWL 805
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$39.40 ZWL 1,048
$25.46 ZWL 678
$61.1 ZWL 1,626
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.85 ZWL 1,060
$19.74 ZWL 525
$79.0 ZWL 2,101
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.69
10
19

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

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Masvingo $597
Groceries & Markets
$215
Eating Out
$151
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$143
Clothing & Footwear
$56
Sport & Entertainment
$20 *
Getting Around
$14 *

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

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $215 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $45.00 – broadly in line with the African average.

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is more expensive than 98% of cities in Africa

Internet is more expensive than 93% of cities in Africa

Cappuccino is more expensive than 90% of cities in Africa

Good to know
🕒 Local time
23:42 11:42 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
72,527
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ZWL – Zimbabwean Dollar Converter

Zimbabwean Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 26.61 ZWL (100 ZWL = 3.76 USD). 1 EUR = 29.92 ZWL (100 ZWL = 3.34 EUR).

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Masvingo Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Masvingo - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masvingo a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does its affordability compare with Zimbabwe's bigger cities?
Masvingo offers a slower rhythm and generally lower daily costs than Zimbabwe's bigger cities, which many travelers, expats, and digital nomads find attractive. You’ll notice affordable meals at local eateries, reasonable transport options, and more flexibility with short-term stays. The city rewards longer visits with better value in housing and services if you shop locally and avoid tourist hubs. Overall, you can align a modest budget with a comfortable routine here, especially if you prioritize local options over amenities aimed at visitors. Cost of Living in Masvingo, Zimbabwe helps set expectations for spenders across budgets. Tip: Start with a few dependable neighborhood hubs to compare value before settling in.
What is daily life like in Masvingo for travelers and remote workers, and where should you focus your housing search, groceries, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Masvingo blends market bustle with a calm pace. Housing ranges from simple apartments to houses in quieter districts; longer leases can improve terms, and negotiation is common. For groceries and meals, local markets and modest eateries offer fresh produce and affordable options, with more variety depending on the season. Transport relies on shared minibuses and taxis, with walking and biking viable in many parts of town. If you work remotely, look for cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi or small coworking spaces and consider neighbors who can share tips on access. Masvingo living cost varies by area and lifestyle, so budget with local staples and a flexible plan. Tip: Plan a weekly loop to cover errands in one area and save time.
What budgeting approach and neighborhood fit should you consider for Masvingo, taking seasonality into account?
Quality of life in Masvingo hinges on balancing essentials with discretionary spending, and seasonality can gently shift your routines. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, utilities, and groceries from nonessentials, then adjust as the seasons change. To find a neighborhood that fits, spend time in different districts, note access to markets, clinics, and Wi‑Fi, and talk with locals about safety and pace. Save by cooking at home, buying in bulk when possible, and choosing public transport or walking over rides. Seasonal events and harvests influence activity – use those rhythms to pace your outings. Tip: keep a lightweight, reusable plan and revisit it every few weeks.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Masvingo?
All in, Masvingo runs about $597 monthly with rent, or $546 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
Is Masvingo one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Masvingo is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $597, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Masvingo?
You'll want at least $896 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Masvingo. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Masvingo?
Groceries in Masvingo are cheap – a single person spends about $215 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Masvingo?
Food in Masvingo is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $215 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Masvingo?
$1,200 a month in Masvingo? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $597, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What is life like for foreigners living in Masvingo?
Masvingo works well for expats – there's a solid range of international services, diverse housing, and established communities of foreigners. English-language options for healthcare, banking, and real estate are increasingly available, making the transition fairly smooth.
Is Masvingo budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Masvingo is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $597 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
How much does a backpacker need per day in Masvingo?
Masvingo is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $597 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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