Cost of living in Morocco

One of the most asked questions on the blog what is the cost of living in Morocco? Here are many reasons to live there

Money

In comparison to other nations in North America or Europe, the cost of living in Morocco is comparatively affordable for foreign people. When it comes to cost of living, Mercer placed Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, 120th out of 214 cities worldwide.

Buying Real Estate

Morocco’s property market is now steady, owing to the massive expansion of the tourist sector, which attracts a large number of international investors. Cost of living in Morocco in terms of real estate, prices increased by 1% in 2012, with flats seeing the largest yearly price rise of 2.3%. Except for agricultural land, foreigners are generally permitted to acquire property in Morocco. Choosing a property, locating a professional notary and lawyer, making a verbal offer, signing legally binding documents, and making deposits to finalize the purchase of the property are all part of the process. Foreign nationals are strongly encouraged, as a precaution, to have all titles and paperwork thoroughly reviewed, since there are individuals who sell fraudulent land titles or are not permitted to sell the property under their name.
An apartment in the Moroccan city center costs between $1,227 and $2,453 per square meter, while one outside the city center costs between $920 and $1,472 per square meter. Casablanca and Rabat are two popular areas to purchase real estate in Morocco.

Renting

The bulk of the expat population in Morocco rents homes in major cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, and Tangier. These areas provide a more western way of life, which is why they are popular among foreign immigrants. Expats in Morocco must use a “samsar,” which is equivalent to a real estate agent, to locate rental housing. However, they charge commission fees to both the landlord and the renter, so expats should include this into their budget while looking for an apartment. Because the kinds of apartments in Morocco vary greatly, from furnished to unfurnished, it is advisable to inform the samsar of your precise preferences. Month-to-month lease agreements are also prevalent in Morocco, although more frequently than not, renters may negotiate the duration of their stay in the property, such as a one-year tenure. This is what you should know about the cost of living in Morocco in terms of renting.

A one-bedroom apartment in Morocco’s city center costs between $245 to $550 per month, while a three-bedroom apartment costs about $481 to $1,226 per month. Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment outside of town costs between $98 and $300 per month, while a three-bedroom apartment costs between $220 and $600 per month.

Utilities

The cost of basic utilities in Morocco vary from $35 to $88 per month for those living in an 85m2 flat. Water, power, heating, and rubbish collection are examples of utilities. A one-minute local call on a prepaid mobile phone costs about $0.33, while monthly internet charges for a cable/ADSL connection with unlimited data and a speed of 6Mbps vary from $18 to $27.

Consumption of Food

A three-course lunch for two at an affordable restaurant in Morocco will cost about $3 to $6, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant would cost around $18 to $37. A combination lunch at McDonald’s or another fast food restaurant will cost about $6. In a restaurant, a normal cappuccino costs around $1.67. One liter of regular milk costs approximately $0.83, 1.5 liters of bottled water costs approximately $0.73, one kilogram of local cheese costs approximately $9.31, one kilogram of white rice costs approximately $1.61, a dozen eggs costs approximately $1.50, a loaf of fresh white bread costs approximately $0.64, and one kilogram of boneless chicken breasts costs approximately $4.34.

Book a food tour in Morocco!

Transportation

In Morocco, one liter of gasoline costs between $1.08 and $1.47. A one-way ticket on local transportation, such as trains or buses, costs roughly $0.49, while a typical monthly pass costs approximately $25. Taxis in Morocco start at $0.61, with an extra $0.61 charged for each kilometer traveled.

Taxation

All working inhabitants in Morocco, including foreign nationals, must pay income tax on a graduated basis ranging from 0% to 38%. The rate of income tax that people must pay is determined by their income band. Meanwhile, people earning less than $2,795 do not have to pay income tax. Property tax, which is charged at 10% for a non-primary dwelling and 25% for a principal residence, is another kind of tax in Morocco. Morocco’s VAT rate is 20%, including a 6% transfer tax and a 1% real estate tax. Expats in the nation should be aware that Morocco has double tax treaties with a number of countries, which helps to lower the amount of foreign income tax they must pay. Read more about taxes here.

Morocco is not as cheap as you may believe

  • “Wow, Morocco is more costly than I expected; I’m being ripped off!”
  • “I used to think Morocco was a lot cheaper than Europe.”
  • “This is just too expensive for Morocco.”

Every combination of these statements, as well as many, many more, have been repeated to me since relocating to Morocco. They’re also quite widespread in the tourist business. I decided to publish this essay in the hopes that visitors would realize how much items really cost in Morocco.

Nine times out of 10, there is a significant difference between what goods cost and what consumers believe they cost.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still bargains to be obtained, but Morocco today is not what it was 10 or even five years ago. Many visitors have informed me that they anticipated Morocco to be priced similarly to Southeast Asia, but this is not the case. Morocco’s prices are fairly comparable to those seen in many countries of Europe (especially southern Europe). In fact, I’ve discovered that Eastern Europe is far less costly than Morocco. The cost of living has risen significantly, as has the cost of conducting business. Please keep in mind that these are for Marrakech; other cities may vary significantly. Rural regions will most likely be much smaller.

Prices are given in US dollars since it is a simple unit of measurement.

Food and Drink

  • 1 kilogram of raw lamb costs $10+ (cooked lamb costs $15+).
  • 1 kilogram of in-season apples costs $1.
  • Dinner for four at a mid-priced restaurant: $60
  • $25 for one bottle of Moroccan wine
  • 1 liter of cola costs $1.25.
  • Dinner for two at a high-end restaurant: $75-$150

Accommodation and Transportation

  • $15 for a hostel room
  • Mid-Range Hotel/Riad: $40-75
  • $150-250 for a luxury riad/hotel
  • Rent: $80-$100 per month
  • Daily car rental ranges from $50 for a small to $200+ for an SUV.
  • The daily rate for a car with a driver is $60.

Attractions and Excursions

  • Museum admission is $2-12.
  • $45 for a half-day guided tour
  • $70+ for a full-day guided tour
  • A full-day tour outside of town costs between $100 and $250. (location really makes a difference)
  • Cooking class costs between $25 and $75 per participant.

Why are you asking whether I provide two pricing for guided tours? If you choose the cheaper alternative, I can nearly promise you will spend a significant amount of time shopping – whether you want to or not.

Monthly Salaries

  • The average compensation for a public school teacher is $400.
  • The average compensation for a police officer is $400-$500.
  • The average doctor’s income is $1000.
  • The average tour guide wage is $600.
  • Laborer’s average wage is $200.

In general, the average pay for Moroccans in Morocco is about $11,000 PER YEAR. Other wages were approximated based on degree of service, duration in position, and any extra work done outside of the typical office employment. Salaries for many expats in Morocco might vary greatly.

Is this to say you shouldn’t come? No, you should definitely come visit, but be prepared for the reality of how much things cost. Expect a 2-star experience at a 5-star price. I’ve found that having a realistic idea before coming is quite beneficial.

This is also useful to remember while negotiating the price of anything. What about the $50 handcrafted leather backpack? A leather artisan may manufacture two or three tops every day. His expenses are quickly depleted when he buy the supplies for the bag. While a few bucks may not seem significant to you, they are to him. A few bucks may cover a dinner or his children’s school expenses. When making purchases, keep this in mind.

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