Cost Of Living in Rabat 2025

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

Whether you're living in Rabat 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.

Affordable living in Rabat

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Rabat?

Around 63% of surveyed residents think that living in Rabat is affordable with proper budgeting while 37% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Rabat

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 Rabat is 85% This means that on average, people spend around 85% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

69%

84%

Couple
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

73%

89%

Family
89%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

81%

98%

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

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

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Rabat

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

70 MAD

500 MAD

3,300 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7

$50

$330

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

180 MAD

620 MAD

4,100 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$18

$62

$400

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

320 MAD

920 MAD

6,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$32

$92

$600

Internet and cable cost

65 MAD

130 MAD

170 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$6.5

$13

$17

Mobile phone bill and charges

52 MAD

87 MAD

260 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.2

$8.7

$26

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Rabat ranges between 70 MAD and 3,300 MAD with average being 500 MAD, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 620 MAD with 180 MAD and 4,100 MAD 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 920 MAD. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 65 MAD to 170 MAD with 130 MAD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 87 MAD but can range between 52 MAD and 260 MAD 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 Rabat is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.

Saving Challenges in Rabat

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

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

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 16% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% 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. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 19% 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. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Low-cost alternatives in Rabat

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 options59%

Few low-cost options41%

Based on the survey, 59% of the people living in Rabat have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Rabat is 8,300 MAD. Expenses can range from 1,200 MAD at the minimum level to 55,000 MAD at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Rabat is 14,000 MAD. Expenditure can range from 4,600 MAD to 74,000 MAD per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Rabat is 18,000 MAD per month. Families spend anywhere from 6,400 MAD to 120,000 MAD.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Rabat is 6,100 MAD. Students spend from 920 MAD to 40,000 MAD per month.

Typical saving choices for people in Rabat

Where do people choose to put their savings?

Financial goals of people in Rabat

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Rabat, 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 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 37% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 9% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 11% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

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

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Rabat

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

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in 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 about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Rabat

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 whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes63%

No37%

Based on the survey, 37% of the people living in Rabat said that they don't have an emergency fund while 63% said that they do.

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Rabat

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 26% of the people in Rabat have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 74% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Rabat

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 30% of the people's monthly income in Rabat goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Rabat pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 14% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 13% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Rabat

11% of debtors in Rabat confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 27% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 19% of people and personal loans rose at 39%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Rabat.

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 Rabat

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents 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 Rabat

Rent Cost in Rabat

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,000 MAD

1,600 MAD

4,100 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100

$150

$410

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,600 MAD

2,500 MAD

6,200 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$150

$250

$620

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,100 MAD

3,100 MAD

8,300 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$210

$310

$820

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,500 MAD

4,100 MAD

11,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$250

$410

$1,100

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

5,000 MAD

12,000 MAD

25,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$490

$1,200

$2,500

Townhouse monthly rent cost

4,100 MAD

6,200 MAD

18,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$410

$620

$1,800

House monthly rent cost

5,000 MAD

12,000 MAD

25,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$490

$1,200

$2,500

Villa monthly rent cost

6,200 MAD

16,000 MAD

25,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$620

$1,500

$2,500

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Rabat ranges between 1,000 MAD and 4,100 MAD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,600 MAD to 6,200 MAD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 2,100 MAD and 8,300 MAD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 2,500 MAD to 11,000 MAD. The average rent of a townhouse in Rabat is around 6,200 MAD while house rental costs can be as high as 12,000 MAD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 6,200 MAD to 25,000 MAD per month.

Apartment and house prices in Rabat

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

210,000 MAD

310,000 MAD

620,000 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21,000

$31,000

$62,000

1-bedroom apartment price

250,000 MAD

410,000 MAD

1.6M MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$25,000

$41,000

$150,000

2-bedroom apartment price

410,000 MAD

1.2M MAD

2.5M MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$41,000

$120,000

$250,000

3-bedroom apartment price

1.4M MAD

2.1M MAD

6.2M MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$140,000

$210,000

$620,000

Townhouse price

1.8M MAD

4.1M MAD

16M MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$180,000

$410,000

$1.5M

House price

2.1M MAD

12M MAD

18M MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$210,000

$1.2M

$1.8M

Villa price

2.5M MAD

14M MAD

21M MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$250,000

$1.4M

$2.1M

The average price of a studio apartment in Rabat can range from 210,000 MAD to 620,000 MAD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 250,000 MAD to 1.6M MAD. A villa can cost you 14M MAD on average with prices ranging from 2.5M MAD to 21M MAD.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Rabat can be x102 to x201 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x102 multiples of the average monthly salary in Rabat.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Rabat is around 30%. This means that people pay 30% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 40% 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.

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

How much money can you save in Rabat 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 Rabat manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 63% of the surveyed people in Rabat said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 37% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Rabat

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 9% to 29% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 17% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 4,200 MAD on average with savings ranging from 320 MAD to 42,000 MAD.

64% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 59% of couples said the same. 54% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Rabat?

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 12% to 31% of their monthly income to savings, with 21% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 2,900 MAD with 320 MAD and 19,000 MAD 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 10% to 30% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 4,800 MAD with 1,600 MAD and 26,000 MAD 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 Rabat can save anywhere between 9% to 28% of their monthly income, with 16% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 6,400 MAD with 2,200 MAD and 42,000 MAD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Financial Literacy in

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 Leteracy58%

We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 42% 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 58% 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 have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 34% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 66% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance34%

Easily manages finances66%

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Rabat

Prices and cost of goods and services in Rabat

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

Fast food combo meal price

13 MAD

26 MAD

43 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.3

$2.6

$4.3

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Rabat is approximatly 26 MAD with meal cost ranging from 13 MAD to 43 MAD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

42 MAD

64 MAD

130 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.2

$6.3

$13

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 42 MAD and 130 MAD with 64 MAD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Rabat.

Fine dining meal for one price

85 MAD

130 MAD

510 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$8.4

$13

$51

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 85 MAD to 510 MAD with the average cost being 130 MAD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Rabat.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

11 MAD

17 MAD

26 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.1

$1.7

$2.6

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Rabat is around 17 MAD. Price ranges between 11 MAD and 26 MAD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

8.7 MAD

10 MAD

13 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.87

$1

$1.3

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Rabat is 10 MAD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 13 MAD and the minimum being 8.7 MAD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

6.5 MAD

8.7 MAD

13 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.65

$0.87

$1.3

A dozen eggs costs around 8.7 MAD on average with 6.5 MAD and 13 MAD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

15 MAD

19 MAD

27 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.5

$1.9

$2.7

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Rabat is between 15 MAD and 27 MAD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 19 MAD.

Pack of beef price

17 MAD

26 MAD

52 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.7

$2.6

$5.2

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 26 MAD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

7 MAD

9.6 MAD

14 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.70

$0.95

$1.4

A bag of rice in Rabat costs around 9.6 MAD on average with prices rangeing between 7 MAD and 14 MAD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

2.6 MAD

3.5 MAD

6.5 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.26

$0.35

$0.65

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 2.6 MAD to 6.5 MAD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

4.7 MAD

6.1 MAD

10 MAD

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.46

$0.61

$1.00

A bag of apples costs 6.1 MAD 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 Rabat is around 26%. This means that people spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 1,300 MAD per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 190 MAD and 8,800 MAD depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 1,900 MAD per month. That number can be get as low as 640 MAD or a high as 10,000 MAD. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 1,200 MAD to 22,000 MAD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

How do people spend their money in Rabat?

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

People living in Rabat typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 3,600 MAD with expenditure ranging from 280 MAD to 36,000 MAD. 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 Rabat ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 600 MAD with 46 MAD and 6,000 MAD 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 92 MAD to 12,000 MAD on commuting with 1,200 MAD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Rabat is 3,000 MAD. The cost of groceries can range between 230 MAD to 30,000 MAD. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Rabat allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 64 MAD to 8,400 MAD with 840 MAD 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 37 MAD to 4,800 MAD with 480 MAD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% 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 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 720 MAD per month with 55 MAD being the minimum spent amount and 7,200 MAD being the maximum.

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