Cost of Living in Zimbabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zimbabwe
Address: ZW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $613 (excluding rent), and $892 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,487 (excluding rent), and $2,046 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.97 ZWL 180

$2.99 ZWL 77.0

$19.93 ZWL 513

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.8 ZWL 1,309

$35.56 ZWL 916

$122 ZWL 3,141

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.91 ZWL 152

$4.92 ZWL 127

$7.88 ZWL 203

Cappuccino

$2.75 ZWL 70.9

$1.01 ZWL 25.97

$5.04 ZWL 130

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

$0.73 ZWL 18.83

$0.52 ZWL 13.45

$2.09 ZWL 53.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 ZWL 11.54

$0.31 ZWL 8.10

$0.95 ZWL 24.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 ZWL 37.99

$0.98 ZWL 25.33

$2.95 ZWL 76.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 ZWL 50.1

$1.46 ZWL 37.56

$2.92 ZWL 75.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.58 ZWL 40.71

$1.01 ZWL 26.10

$2.03 ZWL 52.2

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 ZWL 26.12

$0.73 ZWL 18.81

$2.03 ZWL 52.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 ZWL 48.74

$1.01 ZWL 26.07

$3.04 ZWL 78.2

Eggs

$2.06 ZWL 52.9

$1.35 ZWL 34.88

$3.51 ZWL 90.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.41 ZWL 268

$3.04 ZWL 78.2

$30.37 ZWL 782

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.80 ZWL 149

$3.08 ZWL 79.4

$10.27 ZWL 265

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.65 ZWL 146

$3.94 ZWL 101

$10.83 ZWL 279

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 ZWL 70.3

$1.03 ZWL 26.44

$4.11 ZWL 106

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 ZWL 46.28

$1.01 ZWL 26.15

$3.04 ZWL 78.4

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 ZWL 52.8

$0.98 ZWL 25.13

$3.90 ZWL 101

Tomato (1kg)

$1.61 ZWL 41.40

$1.02 ZWL 26.20

$3.05 ZWL 78.6

Potato (1kg)

$1.51 ZWL 39.00

$0.49 ZWL 12.58

$2.93 ZWL 75.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.74 ZWL 44.76

$0.97 ZWL 25.01

$2.91 ZWL 75.0

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 ZWL 27.23

$0.49 ZWL 12.72

$1.98 ZWL 50.9

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 ZWL 28.02

$0.51 ZWL 13.22

$1.54 ZWL 39.65

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.33 ZWL 34.16

$0.98 ZWL 25.31

$1.96 ZWL 50.6

Wine (Bottle)

$6.88 ZWL 177

$3.93 ZWL 101

$14.74 ZWL 380

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ZWL 29.48

$0.99 ZWL 25.41

$1.50 ZWL 38.63

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 ZWL 46.53

$1.02 ZWL 26.29

$3.06 ZWL 78.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 ZWL 26.40

$0.51 ZWL 13.20

$1.02 ZWL 26.40

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.70 ZWL 765

$26.73 ZWL 689

$59.4 ZWL 1,530

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.09 ZWL 131

$3.06 ZWL 78.7

$10.19 ZWL 262

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.05 ZWL 52.9

$1.54 ZWL 39.64

$3.08 ZWL 79.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.08 ZWL 131

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 ZWL 39.93

$1.43 ZWL 36.90

$1.67 ZWL 42.97

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

$23.5K ZWL 606.6K

$20.0K ZWL 516.2K

$25.0K ZWL 645.3K

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

$24.2K ZWL 623.6K

$21.9K ZWL 563.8K

$24.9K ZWL 640.7K

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

$52.7 ZWL 1,358

$29.43 ZWL 758

$98.1 ZWL 2,527

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

$17.10 ZWL 440

$14.71 ZWL 379

$24.51 ZWL 631

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.8 ZWL 2,338

$49.80 ZWL 1,283

$199 ZWL 5,132

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.84 ZWL 1,207

$19.91 ZWL 513

$79.6 ZWL 2,051

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.73 ZWL 276

$1.97 ZWL 50.8

$19.72 ZWL 508

Cinema Ticket

$9.94 ZWL 256

$6.96 ZWL 179

$19.89 ZWL 512

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

$226 ZWL 5,832

$122 ZWL 3,150

$510 ZWL 13.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,179 ZWL 210.7K

$3,975 ZWL 102.4K

$14.9K ZWL 384.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.84 ZWL 485

$10.06 ZWL 259

$30.19 ZWL 778

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.34 ZWL 498

$10.05 ZWL 259

$30.14 ZWL 776

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.60 ZWL 969

$20.20 ZWL 520

$65.7 ZWL 1,691

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.78 ZWL 1,076

$19.79 ZWL 510

$79.2 ZWL 2,039

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$335 ZWL 8,626

$190 ZWL 4,884

$499 ZWL 12.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$229 ZWL 5,899

$122 ZWL 3,130

$405 ZWL 10.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$800 ZWL 20.6K

$495 ZWL 12.8K

$1,485 ZWL 38.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$543 ZWL 14.0K

$300 ZWL 7,728

$1,200 ZWL 30.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$838 ZWL 21.6K

$434 ZWL 11.2K

$1,037 ZWL 26.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$383 ZWL 9,858

$343 ZWL 8,837

$415 ZWL 10.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$331 ZWL 8,525

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.5

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

Last update: March 2, 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	$580	$590	$1,263	$1,337	620.85	48.85
3	Bulawayo	653337	39	$581	$759	$1,093	$1,758	209.7	37.99
4	Chinhoyi	56794	33	$433	$663	$1,069	$1,406	23.28	69.7
5	Chiredzi	26129						15.52	51.26
6	Gweru	141260	31	$434	$620	$1,395	$1,564	208.59	41.04
7	Harare	1606000	50	$667	$998	$1,604	$2,333	286.29	34.62
8	Hwange	-						138.72	68.55
9	Kadoma	77749	32	$616	$633	$1,412	$1,458	160.72	55.05
10	Kariba	24210						32.87	73.16
11	Karoi	22293						20.98	56.94
12	Kwekwe	93072	39	$679	$763	$1,596	$2,255	182.57	45.41
13	Marondera	52283	40	$525	$791	$1,039	$1,609	337.63	29.39
14	Masvingo	72527	32	$576	$634	$1,314	$1,580	114.66	54.38
15	Mutare	188243	40	$526	$804	$1,202	$1,681	39.55	39.69
16	Redcliff	32346	32	$590	$639	$1,218	$1,458	57.72	45.41
17	Ruwa	22038						12.87	35.33
18	Shurugwi	16866	31	$562	$608	$1,165	$1,365	139.65	40.28
19	Victoria Falls	-		$581	$873	$1,787	$1,981	38.36	68.55

Zimbabwe Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.