Cost of Living in Morocco: Rent, Housing & Income

Morocco combines large modern cities with old walled medinas, mountain villages and desert towns. Casablanca is the economic capital, Rabat the political capital, Marrakech the best-known tourist city, and Tangier and Agadir are coastal hubs. Housing in each is different. The figures in this guide are national estimates from Numbeo and Livingcost, converted from dirhams to US dollars, so they smooth over those differences.

The World Bank's price level ratio for Morocco was 42.1 in 2025, with the U.S. at 100. At market exchange rates, the same basket of goods and services cost about 42% of its U.S. price.

GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 11,112 international dollars in 2025 (U.S.: 90,027 international dollars in 2025). Consumer prices rose 0.7% in 2025 (U.S.: 2.9% in 2024).

Numbeo lists $476.60/mo excluding rent. Livingcost lists $412/mo excluding rent and $736/mo including it. The two non-rent figures are fairly close, with Numbeo a little higher.

A one bedroom apartment in a city centre is listed at $185.97 – $619.89/mo, with a typical value of $358.32/mo. Outside the centre the range is $123.98 – $413.26/mo, and the typical value is $205.98/mo.

Three bedroom homes are listed at $309.94 – $1,239.78/mo in a centre and $206.63 – $790.36/mo outside it. The central typical value is $596.01/mo.

Furnished or unfurnished

Many foreign newcomers choose furnished apartments in the first months because it avoids buying furniture. Long-term local rentals are commonly unfurnished. Ask whether the price includes the building's service fee, and who covers water heaters, which are sometimes the tenant's responsibility. Confirm contract terms in writing, and consider having a local lawyer read them, since rental conventions and the handling of deposits can differ from what you expect.

Utilities for an 85 square meter apartment are listed at $20.66 – $72.32/mo, with a typical value of $39.44/mo. A monthly public transport pass shows $10.33 – $25.83/mo, with a typical value of $20.66/mo. Casablanca and Rabat have trams, and cities have buses and petit taxis, which are cheap short-distance cabs.

Internet is listed at $25.83 – $51.66/mo, with a typical value of $38.17/mo. Compare broadband and mobile data plans from different providers, since coverage and speeds differ by neighborhood.

An inexpensive restaurant meal is listed at $2.58 – $7.23 each, with a typical value of $4.13 each. A liter of milk shows $0.89 each and a dozen large eggs show $1.85 each. Souks and neighborhood markets are the main place to buy produce, spices, bread and meat. Bargaining is normal in tourist areas and informal markets, and prices are fixed in supermarkets.

On these numbers, no. Daily food, transport and bills are modest, and the main variation lies in rent and in whether you live in a tourist-heavy part of a city. A riad in a medina may cost far more than an apartment in a residential area, because buyers and renters pay for atmosphere and location.

The medina in a city like Fez or Marrakech is atmospheric but can be noisy, with narrow lanes where cars cannot enter. Carrying groceries and furniture requires effort, and mobile coverage and heating differ from modern buildings. The new city districts have wider streets, supermarkets and parking. Coastal towns such as Essaouira and Agadir have milder summers and seasonal tourism, so rent can follow the holiday calendar.

Spending a few weeks in one of each type of neighborhood shows which suits you. Winters can be colder indoors than newcomers expect, since many homes have no central heating, so ask what heating the apartment has.

Arabic and Amazigh languages are spoken across the country, and French is widely used in business, government forms and signs. English is increasingly common among younger people and in tourist areas, but newcomers who learn some French or Moroccan Arabic find it easier to negotiate a lease, set up utilities and shop at markets.

Setting up an apartment involves a few visits. Water and electricity accounts may need to be moved into your name, and internet installers can take days to arrive. Ask the landlord to introduce you to the building's caretaker, who often knows how everything works. Keep copies of every payment receipt.

Budget some time for scams aimed at tourists. Settle taxi fares or use the meter, confirm prices before you order, and use official guides in the medina. Residents quickly learn which shops give fair prices.

• Health insurance and private clinic fees
• Residence permit and visa fees
• Car purchase, fuel and insurance
• International school tuition
• Taxes

Morocco has specific rules for foreign residents. Check the Moroccan government's official websites and consult a licensed adviser.