Cost of Living in Zimbabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

42.43

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $596 (excluding rent), and $874 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,479 (excluding rent), and $2,044 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.96 ZWL 188

$2.98 ZWL 80.4

$19.88 ZWL 536

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.1 ZWL 1,352

$35.1 ZWL 947

$120 ZWL 3,246

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.17 ZWL 166

$5.14 ZWL 139

$8.22 ZWL 222

Cappuccino

$2.66 ZWL 71.7

$0.97 ZWL 26.26

$4.87 ZWL 131

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

$0.69 ZWL 18.55

$0.49 ZWL 13.25

$1.97 ZWL 53

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 ZWL 13.13

$0.34 ZWL 9.22

$1.04 ZWL 27.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.52 ZWL 41.02

$1.01 ZWL 27.35

$3.04 ZWL 82.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 ZWL 53.2

$1.48 ZWL 39.9

$2.96 ZWL 79.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 ZWL 41.61

$0.99 ZWL 26.67

$1.98 ZWL 53.4

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 ZWL 26.58

$0.71 ZWL 19.14

$1.97 ZWL 53.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 ZWL 51.1

$1.01 ZWL 27.31

$3.04 ZWL 81.9

Eggs

$2.05 ZWL 55.3

$1.35 ZWL 36.43

$3.5 ZWL 94.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.3 ZWL 278

$3.01 ZWL 81.1

$30.07 ZWL 811

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.73 ZWL 155

$3.04 ZWL 82.1

$10.14 ZWL 274

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.72 ZWL 154

$3.99 ZWL 108

$10.97 ZWL 296

Apples (1kg)

$2.67 ZWL 72.1

$1 ZWL 27.09

$4.02 ZWL 108

Banana (1kg)

$1.78 ZWL 48.06

$1.01 ZWL 27.15

$3.02 ZWL 81.5

Oranges (1kg)

$2.04 ZWL 55.1

$0.97 ZWL 26.25

$3.89 ZWL 105

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 ZWL 42.28

$0.99 ZWL 26.76

$2.98 ZWL 80.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.53 ZWL 41.32

$0.49 ZWL 13.33

$2.97 ZWL 80

Onion (1kg)

$1.84 ZWL 49.53

$1.03 ZWL 27.67

$3.08 ZWL 83

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 ZWL 28.55

$0.49 ZWL 13.34

$1.98 ZWL 53.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 ZWL 29.12

$0.51 ZWL 13.73

$1.53 ZWL 41.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.36 ZWL 36.77

$1.01 ZWL 27.24

$2.02 ZWL 54.5

Wine (Bottle)

$6.94 ZWL 187

$4.96 ZWL 134

$14.87 ZWL 401

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 ZWL 30.98

$0.99 ZWL 26.7

$1.5 ZWL 40.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 ZWL 48.75

$1.02 ZWL 27.54

$3.06 ZWL 82.6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 ZWL 27.56

$0.51 ZWL 13.78

$1.02 ZWL 27.56

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.68 ZWL 800

$26.71 ZWL 720

$59.4 ZWL 1,601

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.07 ZWL 137

$3.04 ZWL 82

$10.13 ZWL 273

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.04 ZWL 55.1

$1.53 ZWL 41.29

$3.06 ZWL 82.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.93 ZWL 133

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 ZWL 42.01

$1.44 ZWL 38.82

$1.68 ZWL 45.2

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

$23.8K ZWL 642.1K

$20.3K ZWL 546.4K

$25.3K ZWL 683.1K

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

$24.4K ZWL 657.7K

$22K ZWL 594.6K

$25.1K ZWL 675.7K

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

$54.2 ZWL 1,462

$30.26 ZWL 816

$101 ZWL 2,720

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

$17.5 ZWL 472

$15.05 ZWL 406

$25.08 ZWL 676

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$91.6 ZWL 2,470

$50.3 ZWL 1,356

$201 ZWL 5,423

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.26 ZWL 1,248

$19.66 ZWL 530

$78.6 ZWL 2,121

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.03 ZWL 298

$2.03 ZWL 54.7

$20.28 ZWL 547

Cinema Ticket

$9.88 ZWL 267

$6.92 ZWL 187

$19.77 ZWL 533

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

$218 ZWL 5,873

$118 ZWL 3,173

$490 ZWL 13.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,274 ZWL 223.1K

$4,021 ZWL 108.5K

$15.1K ZWL 406.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.68 ZWL 504

$9.98 ZWL 269

$29.94 ZWL 807

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.54 ZWL 527

$10.15 ZWL 274

$30.46 ZWL 821

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.42 ZWL 1,009

$20.11 ZWL 542

$65.4 ZWL 1,763

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.71 ZWL 1,152

$20.23 ZWL 546

$80.9 ZWL 2,183

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$334 ZWL 9,021

$189 ZWL 5,107

$498 ZWL 13.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$222 ZWL 5,991

$118 ZWL 3,178

$393 ZWL 10.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$823 ZWL 22.2K

$509 ZWL 13.7K

$1,528 ZWL 41.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$535 ZWL 14.4K

$296 ZWL 7,975

$1,183 ZWL 31.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$977 ZWL 26.3K

$401 ZWL 10.8K

$2,004 ZWL 54K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$580 ZWL 15.6K

$348 ZWL 9,387

$3,743 ZWL 101K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$353 ZWL 9,508

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.5

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

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.