Cost of Living in Zimbabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zimbabwe
Address: ZW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $595 (excluding rent), and $890 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,445 (excluding rent), and $2,043 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.88 ZWL 176

$2.95 ZWL 75.5

$19.66 ZWL 504

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.29 ZWL 1,262

$34.51 ZWL 884

$118 ZWL 3,030

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.89 ZWL 151

$4.91 ZWL 126

$7.85 ZWL 201

Cappuccino

$2.71 ZWL 69.5

$0.99 ZWL 25.44

$4.97 ZWL 127

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

$0.68 ZWL 17.38

$0.48 ZWL 12.42

$1.94 ZWL 49.66

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 ZWL 12.44

$0.34 ZWL 8.73

$1.03 ZWL 26.46

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.48 ZWL 38.01

$0.99 ZWL 25.34

$2.97 ZWL 76.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 ZWL 52.1

$1.53 ZWL 39.06

$3.05 ZWL 78.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.52 ZWL 38.88

$0.97 ZWL 24.92

$1.95 ZWL 49.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 ZWL 26.07

$0.73 ZWL 18.77

$2.04 ZWL 52.1

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.88 ZWL 48.22

$1.01 ZWL 25.79

$3.02 ZWL 77.4

Eggs

$2.16 ZWL 55.4

$1.42 ZWL 36.48

$3.69 ZWL 94.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.45 ZWL 268

$3.05 ZWL 78.1

$30.50 ZWL 781

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.82 ZWL 149

$3.09 ZWL 79.1

$10.30 ZWL 264

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.84 ZWL 150

$4.07 ZWL 104

$11.20 ZWL 287

Apples (1kg)

$2.72 ZWL 69.6

$1.02 ZWL 26.16

$4.09 ZWL 105

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 ZWL 44.35

$0.98 ZWL 25.06

$2.94 ZWL 75.2

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 ZWL 54.5

$1.01 ZWL 25.97

$4.06 ZWL 104

Tomato (1kg)

$1.61 ZWL 41.15

$1.02 ZWL 26.04

$3.05 ZWL 78.1

Potato (1kg)

$1.58 ZWL 40.37

$0.51 ZWL 13.02

$3.05 ZWL 78.1

Onion (1kg)

$1.84 ZWL 47.09

$1.03 ZWL 26.31

$3.08 ZWL 78.9

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 ZWL 27.97

$0.51 ZWL 13.07

$2.04 ZWL 52.3

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 ZWL 26.70

$0.49 ZWL 12.59

$1.48 ZWL 37.78

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.37 ZWL 34.99

$1.01 ZWL 25.92

$2.02 ZWL 51.8

Wine (Bottle)

$7.03 ZWL 180

$4.02 ZWL 103

$15.06 ZWL 386

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ZWL 28.92

$0.97 ZWL 24.93

$1.48 ZWL 37.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 ZWL 46.24

$1.02 ZWL 26.12

$3.06 ZWL 78.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.01 ZWL 25.91

$0.51 ZWL 12.95

$1.01 ZWL 25.91

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.49 ZWL 781

$27.44 ZWL 703

$61.0 ZWL 1,562

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 ZWL 129

$3.02 ZWL 77.4

$10.07 ZWL 258

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.96 ZWL 50.1

$1.47 ZWL 37.56

$2.93 ZWL 75.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.15 ZWL 132

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 ZWL 41.01

$1.48 ZWL 37.89

$1.72 ZWL 44.12

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

$23.2K ZWL 594.2K

$19.7K ZWL 505.7K

$24.7K ZWL 632.1K

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

$24.7K ZWL 632.6K

$22.3K ZWL 571.9K

$25.4K ZWL 649.9K

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

$54.4 ZWL 1,393

$30.35 ZWL 777

$101 ZWL 2,591

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

$17.78 ZWL 455

$15.29 ZWL 392

$25.49 ZWL 653

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.6 ZWL 2,320

$49.71 ZWL 1,273

$199 ZWL 5,093

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.66 ZWL 1,221

$20.26 ZWL 519

$81.0 ZWL 2,075

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.93 ZWL 280

$2.01 ZWL 51.5

$20.09 ZWL 515

Cinema Ticket

$10.13 ZWL 259

$7.09 ZWL 182

$20.26 ZWL 519

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

$220 ZWL 5,638

$119 ZWL 3,046

$496 ZWL 12.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,067 ZWL 206.6K

$3,921 ZWL 100.4K

$14.7K ZWL 376.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.97 ZWL 486

$10.13 ZWL 259

$30.39 ZWL 778

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.99 ZWL 486

$9.87 ZWL 253

$29.60 ZWL 758

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$36.84 ZWL 943

$19.79 ZWL 507

$64.3 ZWL 1,648

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.04 ZWL 1,077

$19.91 ZWL 510

$79.7 ZWL 2,040

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$340 ZWL 8,706

$192 ZWL 4,929

$506 ZWL 13.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$230 ZWL 5,898

$122 ZWL 3,129

$407 ZWL 10.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$814 ZWL 20.8K

$504 ZWL 12.9K

$1,511 ZWL 38.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$535 ZWL 13.7K

$296 ZWL 7,575

$1,183 ZWL 30.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$836 ZWL 21.4K

$433 ZWL 11.1K

$1,035 ZWL 26.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$383 ZWL 9,812

$343 ZWL 8,795

$415 ZWL 10.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$350 ZWL 8,952

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.5

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

By City in Zimbabwe

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Beitbridge	41767						219.79	36.03
2	Bindura	40233	29	$558	$582	$1,179	$1,313	620.85	48.85
3	Bulawayo	653337	39	$658	$775	$1,455	$1,746	209.7	37.99
4	Chinhoyi	56794	33	$377	$642	$1,173	$1,402	23.28	69.7
5	Chiredzi	26129						15.52	51.26
6	Gweru	141260	30	$563	$607	$1,144	$1,567	208.59	41.04
7	Harare	1606000	50	$675	$1,009	$1,571	$2,306	286.29	34.62
8	Hwange	-						138.72	68.55
9	Kadoma	77749	31	$639	$625	$1,243	$1,459	160.72	55.05
10	Kariba	24210						32.87	73.16
11	Karoi	22293						20.98	56.94
12	Kwekwe	93072	38	$596	$770	$1,232	$2,297	182.57	45.41
13	Marondera	52283	40	$436	$807	$1,091	$1,588	337.63	29.39
14	Masvingo	72527	31	$498	$615	$1,364	$1,561	114.66	54.38
15	Mutare	188243	40	$424	$776	$1,220	$1,685	39.55	39.69
16	Redcliff	32346	31	$632	$634	$1,324	$1,466	57.72	45.41
17	Ruwa	22038						12.87	35.33
18	Shurugwi	16866	31	$608	$609	$1,446	$1,350	139.65	40.28
19	Victoria Falls	-		$594	$889	$1,709	$1,994	38.36	68.55

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Zimbabwe - Frequently Asked Questions

Exploring the Cost of Living in Zimbabwe reveals a mix of value depending on location and lifestyle. Urban centers offer convenient access to amenities, while rural towns keep daily costs down. For travelers and nomads, local meals, public transport, and basic services can be budget-friendly, but imported goods and reliable high-speed internet may push expenses higher in certain areas. The balance hinges on how you split time between city hubs and quieter towns, plus your housing style and work setup. A flexible plan and longer stays in a single area often increase value through cheaper terms and deeper local connections. Tip: Start with a short-term base in a central neighborhood to test routines before committing longer-term stays.

Zimbabwe living cost varies by area, but daily life tends to be practical and local-focused. Housing search starts with short-term options like guesthouses or serviced apartments, then you can switch to longer leases in neighborhoods that balance safety and connectivity. Food options range from vibrant markets to affordable local eateries, with fresh produce often available at good value. Transport leans on minibuses, ride-hailing, and walking in dense districts, while longer trips benefit from a car-share or rental. Errands flow smoothly when you keep a local mobile money wallet and common suppliers on speed dial. Tip: Build a short list of reliable service providers and check with expat or neighborhood groups for current tips.

Think of budgeting as a simple framework: fixed costs like rent in a chosen area, variable expenses such as food and utilities, and occasional travel or coworking fees. To maximize value, compare a few neighborhoods by how they align with your work needs, safety tolerance, and access to groceries, cafes, and Wi‑Fi. Seasonality can shift prices and workloads – dry seasons may bring steadier services and longer days for outdoor exploration, while wet periods alter transport and market hours. Prioritize a checkered balance of quiet residential blocks with nearby amenities, and keep a safety and health contingency fund. Tip: Build a lightweight, one-page budgeting plan you update monthly and test new areas for one month before moving.