Cost of Living in Zimbabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zimbabwe
Address: ZW

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $606 (excluding rent), and $894 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,445 (excluding rent), and $2,034 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.05 ZWL 181

$3.02 ZWL 77.4

$20.15 ZWL 516

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.2 ZWL 1,285

$35.12 ZWL 899

$120 ZWL 3,084

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.17 ZWL 158

$5.14 ZWL 132

$8.22 ZWL 211

Cappuccino

$2.75 ZWL 70.3

$1.01 ZWL 25.75

$5.03 ZWL 129

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

$0.73 ZWL 18.73

$0.52 ZWL 13.38

$2.09 ZWL 53.5

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.45 ZWL 11.46

$0.31 ZWL 8.05

$0.95 ZWL 24.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.49 ZWL 38.05

$0.99 ZWL 25.37

$2.97 ZWL 76.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 ZWL 51.8

$1.52 ZWL 38.85

$3.03 ZWL 77.7

Milk (1 liter)

$1.58 ZWL 40.43

$1.01 ZWL 25.91

$2.02 ZWL 51.8

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 ZWL 25.94

$0.73 ZWL 18.68

$2.03 ZWL 51.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.82 ZWL 46.53

$0.97 ZWL 24.88

$2.91 ZWL 74.6

Eggs

$2.05 ZWL 52.6

$1.35 ZWL 34.62

$3.50 ZWL 89.7

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.38 ZWL 266

$3.03 ZWL 77.5

$30.28 ZWL 775

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.55 ZWL 142

$2.95 ZWL 75.5

$9.82 ZWL 251

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.57 ZWL 143

$3.88 ZWL 99.4

$10.68 ZWL 273

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 ZWL 69.9

$1.03 ZWL 26.27

$4.10 ZWL 105

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 ZWL 46.32

$1.02 ZWL 26.17

$3.07 ZWL 78.5

Oranges (1kg)

$2.14 ZWL 54.7

$1.02 ZWL 26.04

$4.07 ZWL 104

Tomato (1kg)

$1.61 ZWL 41.19

$1.02 ZWL 26.07

$3.05 ZWL 78.2

Potato (1kg)

$1.56 ZWL 40.06

$0.50 ZWL 12.92

$3.03 ZWL 77.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.82 ZWL 46.57

$1.02 ZWL 26.02

$3.05 ZWL 78.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 ZWL 26.77

$0.49 ZWL 12.51

$1.95 ZWL 50.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.03 ZWL 26.41

$0.49 ZWL 12.46

$1.46 ZWL 37.38

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.33 ZWL 34.16

$0.99 ZWL 25.30

$1.98 ZWL 50.6

Wine (Bottle)

$6.85 ZWL 175

$3.92 ZWL 100

$14.68 ZWL 376

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ZWL 29.23

$0.98 ZWL 25.20

$1.50 ZWL 38.30

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 ZWL 46.45

$1.02 ZWL 26.25

$3.07 ZWL 78.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.03 ZWL 26.27

$0.51 ZWL 13.13

$1.03 ZWL 26.27

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.53 ZWL 756

$26.57 ZWL 681

$59.1 ZWL 1,512

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.95 ZWL 127

$2.97 ZWL 76.1

$9.90 ZWL 254

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.03 ZWL 52.0

$1.52 ZWL 39.03

$3.05 ZWL 78.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.07 ZWL 130

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.59 ZWL 40.78

$1.47 ZWL 37.68

$1.71 ZWL 43.87

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

$23.5K ZWL 602.4K

$20.0K ZWL 512.7K

$25.0K ZWL 640.9K

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

$24.4K ZWL 623.7K

$22.0K ZWL 563.9K

$25.0K ZWL 640.8K

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

$53.5 ZWL 1,371

$29.87 ZWL 765

$99.6 ZWL 2,550

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

$17.34 ZWL 444

$14.91 ZWL 382

$24.85 ZWL 636

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.7 ZWL 2,322

$49.76 ZWL 1,274

$199 ZWL 5,098

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.50 ZWL 1,191

$19.76 ZWL 506

$79.1 ZWL 2,025

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.75 ZWL 275

$1.98 ZWL 50.6

$19.77 ZWL 506

Cinema Ticket

$10.04 ZWL 257

$7.03 ZWL 180

$20.08 ZWL 514

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

$222 ZWL 5,684

$120 ZWL 3,071

$500 ZWL 12.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,119 ZWL 207.9K

$3,946 ZWL 101.1K

$14.8K ZWL 379.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.56 ZWL 475

$9.92 ZWL 254

$29.75 ZWL 762

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.41 ZWL 497

$10.08 ZWL 258

$30.24 ZWL 775

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$37.66 ZWL 964

$20.23 ZWL 518

$65.8 ZWL 1,684

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.24 ZWL 1,082

$20.01 ZWL 512

$80.0 ZWL 2,050

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$336 ZWL 8,599

$190 ZWL 4,868

$500 ZWL 12.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$223 ZWL 5,721

$119 ZWL 3,035

$395 ZWL 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$808 ZWL 20.7K

$500 ZWL 12.8K

$1,500 ZWL 38.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$547 ZWL 14.0K

$302 ZWL 7,736

$1,208 ZWL 30.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$849 ZWL 21.7K

$440 ZWL 11.3K

$1,051 ZWL 26.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$395 ZWL 10.1K

$354 ZWL 9,060

$428 ZWL 10.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$347 ZWL 8,878

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 20, 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	$543	$585	$1,367	$1,314	620.85	48.85
3	Bulawayo	653337	39	$527	$769	$1,173	$1,737	209.7	37.99
4	Chinhoyi	56794	33	$423	$663	$1,084	$1,442	23.28	69.7
5	Chiredzi	26129						15.52	51.26
6	Gweru	141260	30	$551	$609	$1,142	$1,593	208.59	41.04
7	Harare	1606000	50	$664	$984	$1,596	$2,388	286.29	34.62
8	Hwange	-						138.72	68.55
9	Kadoma	77749	31	$544	$626	$1,249	$1,445	160.72	55.05
10	Kariba	24210						32.87	73.16
11	Karoi	22293						20.98	56.94
12	Kwekwe	93072	38	$568	$766	$1,337	$2,234	182.57	45.41
13	Marondera	52283	40	$552	$803	$1,043	$1,600	337.63	29.39
14	Masvingo	72527	31	$533	$633	$1,284	$1,570	114.66	54.38
15	Mutare	188243	40	$440	$779	$1,160	$1,660	39.55	39.69
16	Redcliff	32346	31	$613	$627	$1,509	$1,454	57.72	45.41
17	Ruwa	22038						12.87	35.33
18	Shurugwi	16866	31	$626	$603	$1,334	$1,363	139.65	40.28
19	Victoria Falls	-		$757	$899	$1,656	$2,025	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.