For one person, living costs in Meknes are estimated at $683 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $16 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Meknes actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $683 monthly including rent, or $480 excluding housing.
$683 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,051 with rent, or $790 without housing.
$1,051 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,419 including rent, or $1,100 for daily expenses alone.
$1,419 /mo
📊
Meknes sits about 50% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are 25% below average – relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.2KMAD 304.3K
$31.1KMAD 303.3K
$35.4KMAD 344.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.9KMAD 301.3K
$28.1KMAD 274.1K
$33.1KMAD 322.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$31.22MAD 304
$27.84MAD 271
$77.7MAD 757
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45MAD 92.2
$5.11MAD 49.84
$22.45MAD 219
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.10MAD 332
$27.98MAD 273
$51.0MAD 497
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.52MAD 278
$15.35MAD 150
$71.6MAD 698
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.68MAD 319
$15.48MAD 151
$61.9MAD 604
Cinema Ticket
$4.20MAD 40.96
$3.15MAD 30.75
$15.77MAD 154
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$123MAD 1,202
$73.0MAD 712
$840MAD 8,193
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,616MAD 54.8K
$2,544MAD 24.8K
$7,989MAD 77.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.7MAD 591
$15.64MAD 153
$104MAD 1,017
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.86MAD 437
$15.34MAD 150
$71.6MAD 698
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.3MAD 909
$72.0MAD 702
$134MAD 1,303
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.5MAD 580
$40.81MAD 398
$89.6MAD 874
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$267MAD 2,599
$203MAD 1,980
$305MAD 2,970
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$172MAD 1,674
$104MAD 1,014
$208MAD 2,029
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$457MAD 4,460
$356MAD 3,469
$508MAD 4,955
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$287MAD 2,802
$261MAD 2,547
$314MAD 3,057
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$965MAD 9,406
$913MAD 8,902
$994MAD 9,693
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$603MAD 5,876
$510MAD 4,968
$728MAD 7,095
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$475MAD 4,632
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
4
6
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 13, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Meknes$683
Meknes$1,419
🛒Groceries & Markets
$177 26%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$172 25.2%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$116 17%
🍽Eating Out
$86 12.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$75 11%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$37 5.4%
🚌Getting Around
$20 2.9%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$400 28.2%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$287 20.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$258 18.2%
🍽Eating Out
$242 17.1%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$84 5.9%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$107 7.5%
🚌Getting Around
$40 2.8%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $267 for a central one-bedroom, or $172 outside the center. At 56% of the average salary ($475), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $475, while typical expenses reach $683. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $177 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $16.00 for two – well below the African average of $41.00.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $15.76 per month – among the cheapest in Africa (average $30.00).
Cost Highlights
⭐Local beer is more expensive than 95% of cities in Africa
⭐Local beer is more expensive than 90% of cities in Africa
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
French is commonly spoken or the national language
Cost of Living in Meknes - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Meknes compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
For many, Meknes offers a balanced approach to travel and residence. The Cost of Living in Meknes, Morocco tends to be approachable for short stays and longer relocations alike, especially if you prioritize local markets and modest apartments over tourist areas. You’ll find affordable groceries, inexpensive street food, and reasonably priced utilities compared with bigger cities. Housing in the old town and nearby neighborhoods can be budget-friendly, while newer compounds offer more space for remote work. Daily life is calmer, making it easier to focus on work or exploration. Tip: map your week around the city's markets and mosques for an authentic routine.
What does daily life look like in Meknes for housing, food, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Meknes blends markets, cafes, and manageable commutes. Housing options range from compact apartments in the old town to brighter units in the Ville Nouvelle, often with common courtyards and easy access to coffee spots and groceries. For food, you’ll enjoy fresh produce at markets and affordable restaurant staples. Local transport includes taxis and bus routes, with walkable neighborhoods around the medina. Co-working spaces are growing, offering reliable Wi-Fi and social vibes. Meknes, Morocco living cost comes with room to balance leisure and work. Tip: start your search near central hubs for faster errands.
What strategies help maximize quality of life in Meknes, including budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Meknes comes from balancing your routines with local rhythm. Build a simple budgeting framework: track essentials, keep flex money for dining out, and reserve a buffer for seasonal travel or co-working days. Neighborhood fit matters – choose areas close to markets or a quiet street near cafes if you value social energy or calm. Embrace slow travel during hot summer afternoons and lively evenings in the spring. Tip: compare week-to-week options for housing, meals, and transit to spot recurring value.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Meknes?
With 56% of the average paycheck going to rent, Meknes is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What is the average cost of living in Meknes?
A single person in Meknes typically spends $683 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $480. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
Is the average salary in Meknes enough to cover living costs?
An average salary of $475 technically covers the $683 monthly cost of living in Meknes, but just barely. There's little room for surprises – a rent hike, medical bill, or unexpected repair can throw things off quickly at this income level.
What are typical rents in Meknes?
Where you live in Meknes makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $267; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $172. Overall, the market runs from $172 to $267 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Meknes?
Fitness in Meknes is cheap at around $28.52 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
How cheap is food in Meknes?
Meknes is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $177, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
Can you live on $800 a month in Meknes?
$800 stretches far in Meknes – all-in monthly costs average only $683. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What is quality of life like in Meknes?
Meknes offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, great local cuisine, and at around $683 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Meknes?
Monthly expenses in Meknes run around $683, so putting money aside takes more than $1,024 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Meknes good for backpackers on a budget?
Budget travelers love Meknes – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $683 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.