Cost of Living in Zimbabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zimbabwe
Address: ZW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $599 (excluding rent), and $895 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,458 (excluding rent), and $2,028 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.17 ZWL 180

$3.07 ZWL 77.3

$20.47 ZWL 516

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.7 ZWL 1,277

$35.50 ZWL 894

$122 ZWL 3,064

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.98 ZWL 151

$4.98 ZWL 125

$7.97 ZWL 201

Cappuccino

$2.69 ZWL 67.6

$0.98 ZWL 24.78

$4.92 ZWL 124

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

$0.73 ZWL 18.41

$0.52 ZWL 13.15

$2.09 ZWL 52.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 ZWL 11.26

$0.31 ZWL 7.91

$0.95 ZWL 23.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 ZWL 36.93

$0.98 ZWL 24.62

$2.93 ZWL 73.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 ZWL 50.1

$1.49 ZWL 37.55

$2.98 ZWL 75.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.52 ZWL 38.30

$0.98 ZWL 24.55

$1.95 ZWL 49.11

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 ZWL 25.49

$0.73 ZWL 18.35

$2.02 ZWL 51.0

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.90 ZWL 47.86

$1.02 ZWL 25.59

$3.05 ZWL 76.8

Eggs

$2.09 ZWL 52.5

$1.37 ZWL 34.60

$3.56 ZWL 89.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.12 ZWL 255

$2.95 ZWL 74.4

$29.54 ZWL 744

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.82 ZWL 147

$3.09 ZWL 77.8

$10.30 ZWL 259

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.66 ZWL 142

$3.94 ZWL 99.2

$10.84 ZWL 273

Apples (1kg)

$2.69 ZWL 67.8

$1.01 ZWL 25.49

$4.05 ZWL 102

Banana (1kg)

$1.82 ZWL 45.90

$1.03 ZWL 25.93

$3.09 ZWL 77.8

Oranges (1kg)

$2.14 ZWL 53.8

$1.02 ZWL 25.61

$4.07 ZWL 102

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ZWL 40.04

$1.01 ZWL 25.34

$3.02 ZWL 76.0

Potato (1kg)

$1.52 ZWL 38.32

$0.49 ZWL 12.36

$2.95 ZWL 74.2

Onion (1kg)

$1.82 ZWL 45.86

$1.02 ZWL 25.62

$3.05 ZWL 76.9

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 ZWL 26.39

$0.49 ZWL 12.33

$1.96 ZWL 49.33

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 ZWL 26.02

$0.49 ZWL 12.27

$1.46 ZWL 36.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.31 ZWL 33.08

$0.97 ZWL 24.50

$1.95 ZWL 49.00

Wine (Bottle)

$6.80 ZWL 171

$3.89 ZWL 97.9

$9.72 ZWL 245

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 ZWL 30.08

$1.03 ZWL 25.93

$1.57 ZWL 39.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 ZWL 44.82

$1.01 ZWL 25.32

$3.02 ZWL 76.0

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.97 ZWL 24.52

$0.49 ZWL 12.26

$0.97 ZWL 24.52

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.42 ZWL 741

$26.48 ZWL 667

$58.9 ZWL 1,482

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.04 ZWL 127

$3.03 ZWL 76.2

$10.09 ZWL 254

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.04 ZWL 51.4

$1.53 ZWL 38.52

$3.06 ZWL 77.0

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.87 ZWL 123

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.62 ZWL 40.82

$1.50 ZWL 37.72

$1.74 ZWL 43.92

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

$23.9K ZWL 600.7K

$20.3K ZWL 511.2K

$25.4K ZWL 639.0K

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

$24.8K ZWL 624.9K

$22.4K ZWL 565.0K

$25.5K ZWL 642.0K

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

$53.3 ZWL 1,342

$29.73 ZWL 749

$99.1 ZWL 2,495

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

$17.23 ZWL 434

$14.82 ZWL 373

$24.70 ZWL 622

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$89.8 ZWL 2,261

$49.29 ZWL 1,241

$197 ZWL 4,964

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.31 ZWL 1,166

$19.68 ZWL 496

$78.7 ZWL 1,982

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.79 ZWL 272

$1.98 ZWL 49.93

$19.83 ZWL 499

Cinema Ticket

$10.06 ZWL 253

$7.04 ZWL 177

$20.12 ZWL 507

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

$221 ZWL 5,567

$119 ZWL 3,007

$498 ZWL 12.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,190 ZWL 206.2K

$3,981 ZWL 100.2K

$14.9K ZWL 375.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.90 ZWL 476

$10.10 ZWL 254

$30.29 ZWL 763

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.08 ZWL 481

$9.91 ZWL 250

$29.74 ZWL 749

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.54 ZWL 945

$20.17 ZWL 508

$65.6 ZWL 1,651

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.87 ZWL 1,079

$20.31 ZWL 511

$81.2 ZWL 2,045

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$335 ZWL 8,424

$189 ZWL 4,769

$498 ZWL 12.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$224 ZWL 5,651

$119 ZWL 2,998

$397 ZWL 9,994

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$797 ZWL 20.1K

$493 ZWL 12.4K

$1,480 ZWL 37.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$540 ZWL 13.6K

$298 ZWL 7,508

$1,193 ZWL 30.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$853 ZWL 21.5K

$442 ZWL 11.1K

$1,056 ZWL 26.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$391 ZWL 9,834

$350 ZWL 8,815

$423 ZWL 10.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$342 ZWL 8,619

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.5

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

Last update: April 14, 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						57.85	61.39
2	Bindura	40233	29	$496	$587	$1,156	$1,351	13.42	55.19
3	Bulawayo	653337	39	$583	$761	$1,314	$1,777	118.34	37.6
4	Chinhoyi	56794	33	$396	$659	$956	$1,413	49.31	43.54
5	Chiredzi	26129						93.61	77.3
6	Gweru	141260	30	$482	$609	$1,349	$1,585	165.76	44.68
7	Harare	1606000	50	$673	$1,020	$1,579	$2,322	59.07	29.93
8	Hwange	-						7.16	48.71
9	Kadoma	77749	31	$589	$632	$1,524	$1,427	24.21	42.95
10	Kariba	24210						108.27	43.72
11	Karoi	22293						17.69	39.02
12	Kwekwe	93072	39	$541	$758	$1,520	$2,261	98.87	43.52
13	Marondera	52283	40	$467	$801	$1,281	$1,621	59.05	30.17
14	Masvingo	72527	31	$558	$637	$1,424	$1,571	15.04	43.77
15	Mutare	188243	40	$443	$780	$1,330	$1,702	264.86	43.69
16	Redcliff	32346	31	$571	$639	$1,331	$1,442	220.71	43.52
17	Ruwa	22038						157.67	33.97
18	Shurugwi	16866	31	$620	$610	$1,367	$1,346	69.17	39.72
19	Victoria Falls	-		$634	$894	$1,773	$2,041	66.52	48.71

Zimbabwe Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.