Cost Of Living For a Student in Zimbabwe 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: ZWL
Average monthly spending for students in Zimbabwe
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Zimbabwe?
Students in Zimbabwe spend around 110,000 ZWL per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 17,000 ZWL or as high as 760,000 ZWL. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Zimbabwe
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 730 ZWL | 1,100 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL |
Fine dining meal for one
| 1,500 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL | 8,700 ZWL |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,100 ZWL | 1,500 ZWL | 2,900 ZWL |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,100 ZWL | 1,500 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL |
Average car price
| 540,000 ZWL | 1.1M ZWL | 1.5M ZWL |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 1,500 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL | 4,400 ZWL |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 680 ZWL | 4,600 ZWL | 30,000 ZWL |
Internet and cable
| 1,100 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL | 2,900 ZWL |
Mobile phone charges
| 870 ZWL | 1,500 ZWL | 4,400 ZWL |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 540 ZWL | 730 ZWL | 1,100 ZWL |
One month gym membership
| 1,700 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL | 4,400 ZWL |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,300 ZWL | 1,800 ZWL | 2,700 ZWL |
Woman dress
| 1,200 ZWL | 1,700 ZWL | 5,400 ZWL |
Woman shoes
| 1,100 ZWL | 1,600 ZWL | 3,600 ZWL |
Men's shoes
| 990 ZWL | 1,200 ZWL | 2,400 ZWL |
Men suit
| 1,100 ZWL | 1,400 ZWL | 7,300 ZWL |
Regular t-shirt
| 540 ZWL | 730 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 18,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL | 73,000 ZWL |
1-bedroom apartment
| 27,000 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL | 110,000 ZWL |
2-bedroom apartment
| 36,000 ZWL | 54,000 ZWL | 150,000 ZWL |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 3.6M ZWL | 5.4M ZWL | 11M ZWL |
1-bedroom apartment
| 4.4M ZWL | 7.3M ZWL | 27M ZWL |
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 22,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL | 36,000 ZWL |
Double Bed
| 15,000 ZWL | 22,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL |
Single Bed
| 13,000 ZWL | 17,000 ZWL | 22,000 ZWL |
Living Room
| 24,000 ZWL | 31,000 ZWL | 110,000 ZWL |
Dining Table
| 11,000 ZWL | 15,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL |
Sofa or Couch
| 15,000 ZWL | 20,000 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 15,000 ZWL | 22,000 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL |
Fridge or Freezer
| 13,000 ZWL | 20,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL |
Washing Machine
| 17,000 ZWL | 24,000 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL |
Stove or Cooker
| 16,000 ZWL | 20,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL |
Mobile Phone
| 18,000 ZWL | 22,000 ZWL | 31,000 ZWL |
Laptop or Computer
| 20,000 ZWL | 24,000 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL |
How do students spend their money in Zimbabwe?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost15%
15% of total expenses on average (10% to 21%)
| LOW | $0.25 4,100 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $1.7 27,000 ZWL |
| HIGH | $11 180,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
Students in Zimbabwe typically spend from 10% to 21% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 15% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 27,000 ZWL with expenditure ranging from 4,100 ZWL to 180,000 ZWL. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $0.04 680 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $0.28 4,600 ZWL |
| HIGH | $1.9 30,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Zimbabwe ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 4,600 ZWL with 680 ZWL and 30,000 ZWL being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $0.07 1,200 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $0.49 8,000 ZWL |
| HIGH | $3.3 53,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 1,200 ZWL to 53,000 ZWL in a month on commuting with 8,000 ZWL being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $0.21 3,400 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $1.4 23,000 ZWL |
| HIGH | $9.3 150,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Zimbabwe is 23,000 ZWL. The cost of groceries can range between 3,400 ZWL to 150,000 ZWL. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $0.06 1,000 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $0.42 6,900 ZWL |
| HIGH | $2.8 46,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
Students in Zimbabwe allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,000 ZWL to 46,000 ZWL with 6,900 ZWL being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $0.05 850 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $0.35 5,700 ZWL |
| HIGH | $2.3 38,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 850 ZWL to 38,000 ZWL with 5,700 ZWL being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $0.20 3,200 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $1.3 22,000 ZWL |
| HIGH | $8.8 140,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 22,000 ZWL per month with 3,200 ZWL being the minimum spent amount and 140,000 ZWL being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $0.16 2,600 ZWL |
| AVERAGE | $1 17,000 ZWL |
| HIGH | $7 110,000 ZWL |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Zimbabwe
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Zimbabwe?
Around 41% of surveyed students think that living in Zimbabwe is affordable with proper budgeting while 59% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Zimbabwe
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options52%
Few low-cost options48%
Based on the survey, 52% of the students living in Zimbabwe have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 48% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of Zimbabwe whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes38%
No62%
Based on the survey, 62% of the students living in Zimbabwe said that they don't have an emergency fund while 38% 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 student guardians and parents in 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 students 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%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Zimbabwe
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Zimbabwe
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 18,000 ZWL | 27,000 ZWL | 73,000 ZWL |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 27,000 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL | 110,000 ZWL |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 36,000 ZWL | 54,000 ZWL | 150,000 ZWL |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 44,000 ZWL | 73,000 ZWL | 200,000 ZWL |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 87,000 ZWL | 220,000 ZWL | 440,000 ZWL |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 73,000 ZWL | 110,000 ZWL | 310,000 ZWL |
House monthly rent cost
| 87,000 ZWL | 220,000 ZWL | 440,000 ZWL |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 110,000 ZWL | 270,000 ZWL | 440,000 ZWL |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Zimbabwe ranges between 18,000 ZWL and 73,000 ZWL, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 27,000 ZWL to 110,000 ZWL. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 36,000 ZWL and 150,000 ZWL per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 44,000 ZWL to 200,000 ZWL. The average rent of a townhouse in Zimbabwe is around 110,000 ZWL while house rental costs can be as high as 220,000 ZWL per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 110,000 ZWL to 440,000 ZWL per month.
Apartment and house prices in Zimbabwe
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 3.6M ZWL | 5.4M ZWL | 11M ZWL |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 4.4M ZWL | 7.3M ZWL | 27M ZWL |
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
House price
| 36M ZWL | 220M ZWL | 310M ZWL |
Villa price
| 44M ZWL | 240M ZWL | 360M ZWL |
The average price of a studio apartment in Zimbabwe can range from 3.6M ZWL to 11M ZWL depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 4.4M ZWL to 27M ZWL. A villa can cost you 240M ZWL on average with prices ranging from 44M ZWL to 360M ZWL.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Zimbabwe will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 24 | x63 monthly income | 178 |
Property prices in Zimbabwe can be x63 to x178 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x63 multiples of the average monthly salary in Zimbabwe.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Zimbabwe is around 26%. This means that people pay 26% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 16% to 36% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
24% 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.
| 340 ZWL | 4,400 ZWL | 44,000 ZWL |
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 Zimbabwe
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Zimbabwe
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 680 ZWL | 4,600 ZWL | 30,000 ZWL |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,100 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL | 2,900 ZWL |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 870 ZWL | 1,500 ZWL | 4,400 ZWL |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 4,600 ZWL. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,100 ZWL to 2,900 ZWL with 2,200 ZWL being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,500 ZWL but can range between 870 ZWL and 4,400 ZWL depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Zimbabwe is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Zimbabwe
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Zimbabwe
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Zimbabwe is approximatly 440 ZWL with meal cost ranging from 220 ZWL to 730 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 |
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 Zimbabwe.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 1,500 ZWL | 2,200 ZWL | 8,700 ZWL |
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 Zimbabwe.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Zimbabwe is around 290 ZWL. Price ranges between 180 ZWL and 440 ZWL depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Zimbabwe is 170 ZWL. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 220 ZWL and the minimum being 150 ZWL depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 150 ZWL on average with 110 ZWL and 220 ZWL being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Zimbabwe is between 250 ZWL and 450 ZWL depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 320 ZWL.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 440 ZWL. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Zimbabwe costs around 160 ZWL on average with prices rangeing between 120 ZWL and 230 ZWL depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 44 ZWL to 110 ZWL. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 100 ZWL on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Zimbabwe is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 34% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 3,400 ZWL to 150,000 ZWL with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
