Cost Of Living in Harare 2025

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Harare

Whether you're living in Harare or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Harare is 160,000 ZWL. Expenses can range from 23,000 ZWL at the minimum level to 1.1M ZWL at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Harare is 270,000 ZWL. Expenditure can range from 90,000 ZWL to 1.4M ZWL per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Harare is 360,000 ZWL per month. Families spend anywhere from 130,000 ZWL to 2.3M ZWL.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Harare is 120,000 ZWL. Students spend from 18,000 ZWL to 800,000 ZWL per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Harare

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Harare is 94% This means that on average, people spend around 94% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 13% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
85%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

80%

92%

Couple
89%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

84%

97%

Family
99%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

93%

110%

How do people spend their money in Harare?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Harare typically spend from 10% to 29% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 21% being the average. The average spend on housing is 70,000 ZWL with expenditure ranging from 5,400 ZWL to 700,000 ZWL. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Harare ranges from 6% to 13% of total expenses with 9% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 12,000 ZWL with 900 ZWL and 120,000 ZWL being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 1,800 ZWL to 230,000 ZWL on commuting with 23,000 ZWL being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 2% or as high as 10%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Harare is 58,000 ZWL. The cost of groceries can range between 4,500 ZWL to 580,000 ZWL. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.

People in Harare allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,300 ZWL to 160,000 ZWL with 16,000 ZWL being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 720 ZWL to 94,000 ZWL with 9,400 ZWL being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 14,000 ZWL per month with 1,100 ZWL being the minimum spent amount and 140,000 ZWL being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Harare every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Harare manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 52% of the surveyed people in Harare said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 48% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Harare

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 5.3% to 26% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 11% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 64,000 ZWL on average with savings ranging from 5,000 ZWL to 640,000 ZWL.

57% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 52% of couples said the same. 46% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Harare?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 8.4% to 29% of their monthly income to savings, with 15% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 45,000 ZWL with 5,000 ZWL and 300,000 ZWL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 6.3% to 27% of their monthly income, with 13% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 74,000 ZWL with 25,000 ZWL and 400,000 ZWL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Harare can save anywhere between 5.3% to 25% of their monthly income, with 11% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 99,000 ZWL with 35,000 ZWL and 640,000 ZWL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Harare

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Harare. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 10% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 13% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 13% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 8% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 4% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 24% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 15% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 2% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 1% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Harare

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Harare

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Harare?

Around 43% of surveyed residents think that living in Harare is affordable with proper budgeting while 57% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Harare

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options55%

Few low-cost options45%

Based on the survey, 55% of the people living in Harare have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Harare whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes40%

No60%

Based on the survey, 60% of the people living in Harare said that they don't have an emergency fund while 40% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Zimbabwe

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy36%

We asked residents of Zimbabwe whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 64% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 36% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Zimbabwe have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 62% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 38% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance62%

Easily manages finances38%

Financial goals of people in Harare

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Harare, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 50% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 12% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 5% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 3% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 17% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Harare

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Harare and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Zimbabwe is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Harare about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Harare

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Harare

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 35% of the people in Harare have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 65% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Harare

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 36% of the people's monthly income in Harare goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 4% of the debtors in Harare pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 23% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 17% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 19% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 7% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Harare

5% of debtors in Harare confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 33% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 10% of people and personal loans rose at 48%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 5% of debtors in Harare.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Harare

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Harare how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Harare

Rent Cost in Harare

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

19,000 ZWL

29,000 ZWL

77,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2

$1.7

$4.7

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

29,000 ZWL

46,000 ZWL

110,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.7

$2.8

$7

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

38,000 ZWL

57,000 ZWL

150,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.3

$3.5

$9.3

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

46,000 ZWL

77,000 ZWL

210,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.8

$4.7

$13

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

92,000 ZWL

230,000 ZWL

460,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.6

$14

$28

Townhouse monthly rent cost

77,000 ZWL

110,000 ZWL

330,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.7

$7

$20

House monthly rent cost

92,000 ZWL

230,000 ZWL

460,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.6

$14

$28

Villa monthly rent cost

110,000 ZWL

290,000 ZWL

460,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7

$17

$28

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Harare ranges between 19,000 ZWL and 77,000 ZWL, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 29,000 ZWL to 110,000 ZWL. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 38,000 ZWL and 150,000 ZWL per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 46,000 ZWL to 210,000 ZWL. The average rent of a townhouse in Harare is around 110,000 ZWL while house rental costs can be as high as 230,000 ZWL per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 110,000 ZWL to 460,000 ZWL per month.

Apartment and house prices in Harare

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

3.8M ZWL

5.7M ZWL

11M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$230

$350

$700

1-bedroom apartment price

4.6M ZWL

7.7M ZWL

29M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$280

$470

$1,700

2-bedroom apartment price

7.7M ZWL

23M ZWL

46M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$470

$1,400

$2,800

3-bedroom apartment price

26M ZWL

38M ZWL

110M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,600

$2,300

$7,000

Townhouse price

33M ZWL

77M ZWL

290M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,000

$4,700

$17,000

House price

38M ZWL

230M ZWL

330M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,300

$14,000

$20,000

Villa price

46M ZWL

260M ZWL

380M ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,800

$16,000

$23,000

The average price of a studio apartment in Harare can range from 3.8M ZWL to 11M ZWL depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 4.6M ZWL to 29M ZWL. A villa can cost you 260M ZWL on average with prices ranging from 46M ZWL to 380M ZWL.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Harare can be x66 to x188 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x66 multiples of the average monthly salary in Harare.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Harare is around 27%. This means that people pay 27% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 17% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Harare

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Harare

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

1,400 ZWL

9,700 ZWL

65,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.08

$0.59

$3.9

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

3,600 ZWL

12,000 ZWL

79,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.22

$0.74

$4.8

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

6,300 ZWL

18,000 ZWL

120,000 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.38

$1.1

$7.1

Internet and cable cost

1,000 ZWL

2,100 ZWL

2,800 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.06

$0.13

$0.17

Mobile phone bill and charges

830 ZWL

1,400 ZWL

4,200 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.05

$0.08

$0.25

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Harare ranges between 1,400 ZWL and 65,000 ZWL with average being 9,700 ZWL, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 12,000 ZWL with 3,600 ZWL and 79,000 ZWL being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 18,000 ZWL. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 1,000 ZWL to 2,800 ZWL with 2,100 ZWL being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,400 ZWL but can range between 830 ZWL and 4,200 ZWL depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Harare is around 7.4%. This means that people pay 7.4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.2% to 12% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Harare

Prices and cost of goods and services in Harare

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

210 ZWL

420 ZWL

690 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.03

$0.04

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Harare is approximatly 420 ZWL with meal cost ranging from 210 ZWL to 690 ZWL. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

730 ZWL

1,100 ZWL

2,200 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.04

$0.07

$0.13

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 730 ZWL and 2,200 ZWL with 1,100 ZWL being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Harare.

Fine dining meal for one price

1,500 ZWL

2,200 ZWL

8,700 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.09

$0.13

$0.53

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,500 ZWL to 8,700 ZWL with the average cost being 2,200 ZWL for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Harare.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

170 ZWL

280 ZWL

420 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.02

$0.03

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Harare is around 280 ZWL. Price ranges between 170 ZWL and 420 ZWL depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

140 ZWL

170 ZWL

210 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Harare is 170 ZWL. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 210 ZWL and the minimum being 140 ZWL depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

100 ZWL

140 ZWL

210 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

A dozen eggs costs around 140 ZWL on average with 100 ZWL and 210 ZWL being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

240 ZWL

310 ZWL

430 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.02

$0.03

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Harare is between 240 ZWL and 430 ZWL depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 310 ZWL.

Pack of beef price

280 ZWL

420 ZWL

830 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.02

$0.03

$0.05

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 420 ZWL. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

110 ZWL

150 ZWL

220 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

A bag of rice in Harare costs around 150 ZWL on average with prices rangeing between 110 ZWL and 220 ZWL depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

42 ZWL

55 ZWL

100 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 42 ZWL to 100 ZWL. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

74 ZWL

97 ZWL

160 ZWL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.01

$0.01

$0.01

A bag of apples costs 97 ZWL on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Harare is around 30%. This means that people spend 30% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 36% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 26,000 ZWL per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 3,600 ZWL and 170,000 ZWL depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 38,000 ZWL per month. That number can be get as low as 13,000 ZWL or a high as 200,000 ZWL. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 23,000 ZWL to 420,000 ZWL with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Harare

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Harare

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Harare

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Harare