Cost of Living in Morocco in 2020

Hello Loïc ,

This is based on my experiences.

In TANGIER:

BUYING

To buy a House or an Apartment; Three bedroom with no garden, located in the best part of town: Mershan, California and Iberia: €900 - €1100 per square-meter, un-renovated. Add 10% if the property comes with a garden. Renovation cost - depending of one's taste - is about 10-25% of the purchase cost.

The Old Medina gives us the options of many properties at more affordable prices. But the Old Medina is an old commercial hub, very touristic, very loud and unpleasant if one expect a less touristic surrounding. Also, the properties tend to be neglected, as performing a renovation project in the Old Medina is very challenging, even when one has the means.

Property prices in the Kasbah is between the Old Medina and the Mershan Neighbourhood. The Kasbah is a good neighbourhood, but much less attractive than its immediate neighbourhood, Mershan.

The Old Mountain is the hallowed ground in Tangier. Prices per square meter are a bit higher; but one will be in good company of many people - local or foreigners - that one can only see on the newspaper or glossy publications.

RENTING

Cost of renting in the best part of the town; the Kasbah, Mershan, California and Iberia:
* Furnished Three-Bedroom and with bathrooms: €1000-€1200 per month, Utility not included. Note: It is cheaper for unfurnished units, but tenants must provide their own kitchen appliances and furniture.
* Furnished Two-Bedroom with two bathrooms: €800-€1000 per month, Utility not included. Note: Same as above, it is cheaper for unfurnished, but tenants must provide their own kitchen appliances and furniture.

If one is willing to live far in Malabata, or in the Old Medina or New Medina, basically in the Commercial locations; housing prices are 10-15% cheaper.

MEAL ETC.

Put aside €300 per person per month for meal; assuming one cooks at home or eat out at modest establishment. Add €200 per person per month if one enjoys alcoholic beverages (and cigarettes); either in the privacy of one's home or outside.

NOTE for buying properties: Always buy between the month of November and April, when Tangier weather is most un-accommodating; and get in touch only with the most reliable agent. DM me for contacts.

In ESSAOUIRA:

BUYING

To buy a House or an Apartment - Inside the Old Medina: €700 - €900 per square-meter, un-renovated. Add 10% if the property comes with a small garden. However, buying a property inside the Medina in Essaouira is NOT ADVISABLE - Unless one has spent a long winter in Essaouira. The Medina in Esssouira is very damp in the winter and the town it has chronic sewer problem. The fact that part of Essaouira is below Sea level doesn't help. An investment outside the Old Medina is much safer.

To buy a House or an Apartment - New construction outside the Medina €950 - €1050 per square-meter; Add 15% - 20% if the property comes with a garden.

COMPARISON

Essaouira is a Sleepy fishing town on the coast of the Atlantic, fully populated by middle-class French retirées and European hippies chasing the winds and the waves, and the locals who work in the tourist industry.

Tangier, on the other hand, is a very vibrant and cosmopolitan city, offering many advantages compared to other medium-size town in Morocco due to its proximity to Europe. It is actually a much better town in terms of amenities and social activities  than its sister town across the Mediterranean, Tarifa, Gibraltar and Algeciras, soooo boring! And if one needs to visit glamorous shops, the TGV is at your service, taking you form the city center to Casa Voyager station in Casablanca!

The Moroccan TGV/LGV is even better and cleaner than its older sister, the French TGV, and both train stations; Tanger Ville and Casa Voyager, are cleaner and much more attractive than the old, tired, unfriendly and morose Gare du Nord in Paris.........

Dear Loic

You can find my answers below:

Regarding accommodation, how much does it cost to rent or buy an apartment or a house in Morocco?

I rent an apparmtent at 2.000 MAD a month. It is furnished, has 2 bedrooms. It is not located in any popular area, but I appreciate the neighborhood.

How much do you pay on average for public transport (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)? 5 MAD for a seat in a shared taxi, 30MAD to take a red taxi to work (8km).

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank? About 500 MAD

Concerning your food expenses : how much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta? What is the average price of your monthly food shopping? Bread is very cheap, 1 or 2 MAD a piece. I spend around 1500 MAD a month on buying supplies.

How much does it cost to have health insurance? How much for a health specialist's consultation in Morocco? Health insurance is very expensive,I only have the mandatory insurance via work. Additional insurance would cost 5.000 MAD / year

How much does childcare cost on average per month? What about school fees? I don't have any children

How much do you pay for electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile's subscription etc., per month? Gas: 40 MAD per 2 months, electricity 80 Dirhams per month, internet subscription 200MAD/month, water 70 MAD/month

Kind regards

I am rather surprised that the Moroccan cost of living is expensive like Europe according to these posts. Are they correct

JIMMY BOND wrote:

I am rather surprised that the Moroccan cost of living is expensive like Europe according to these posts. Are they correct

Hi Jimmy,

I am seeing it from an expat's (American / New Yorker) life styles in Tangier.
And this is just an average / median spending, not the spending of the wealthy ones.

I have also excluded the fact that we expats need to go out of the country every 90 days or less to re-stamp our passports. This was not included in my calculation.

My writing was based on personal experiences and observation between October 2016 and today, January 2020.

Tangier is not a cheap city. But it's worth every penny!

Wow, I didn't realize Tangier was that expensive. That's no different than living in Florida, USA. Which is much cleaner and greener, much better beaches, better fresh and saltwater, better fishing, and pretty much better everything else. I've never been there, so I could be wrong about somethings, so I've to go there to see. I agree it's closer to traveling to European countries and experience their culture which is a big plus.

My experience is much closer to I.Chafi in cost and that's staying in Marrakesh with my wife's family.

Yahya411 wrote:

Wow, I didn't realize Tangier was that expensive. That's no different than living in Florida, USA. Which is much cleaner and greener, much better beaches, better fresh and saltwater, better fishing, and pretty much better everything else. I've never been there, so I could be wrong about somethings, so I've to go there to see. I agree it's closer to traveling to European countries and experience their culture which is a big plus.

My experience is much closer to I.Chafi in cost and that's staying in Marrakesh with my wife's family.

Tangier can be cheaper, say by 20-30%, if one doesn't live in the most desirable and fashionable neighbourhoods;
Iberia, Marshan, the Old Mountain and California; And one doesn't fall into the trap of frequenting the establishments catering specifically to the expats and the UAE visitors. 

But this is a website for Expats - (Definition: Someone who lives or works abroad for a period of time, without having any intention to seek the citizenship of the host country) - so what I have been giving here is a typical expats' spending and preferences in terms of housing, meal and entertainment. 

Comparing to a US mid-size city; there is something that Tangier is definitely much better: Very low crime rate. One doesn't need to be afraid to get shot even when one happens to be walking alone at four O'clock in the morning in any residential areas.

The commercial and industrial area where the migrants form South of the Sahara congregate is a different condition altogether.

Making a comparison between several cities in Marocco; Tangier and Rabat are the only medium-size cities (that I have stayed for several months consecutively) where a foreigner (be it a European or Asian) is not treated like A Wallet with Two Legs. Because unlike Marrakech, Essaouira, Meknès or Fes; Tangier (and Rabat) provides its citizen a vast array of employment other than tourism. In fact, tourism is just a small portion of Tangier economy. 

Tangier is also a very authentic city. It is not the cleanest, not the most beautiful, not the best cuisine, but it still preserves the blend of International Zone in the 50s and the local Andalusian Muslim. Imagine a place where the people look like the native of Seville, Cádiz or Grenada; But instead of doing the Station of the Cross during Lent on Friday, the congregation would put long djelabas and head to the mosque, passing happily through pristine neighbourhoods where big villas and townhouses silently stood by.

Or where the hard working women from the Rif Mountain with their distinctive headdress would sell local vegetables on Sunday Market just outside the Church of St. Andrews, where the congregation would mingle with their Muslim neighbours after the service, getting their allotted veggies of the week. It is Cosmopolitan without necessarily being Westernised.

For a New Yorker like me, Marrakech is only tolerable for a week, best to visit periodically to get the best Moroccan crafts. More than a week, one would feel like living in Miami where everybody is wearing Caftan and trying to sell you hard drugs, girls, or boys...... Casablanca is also another city that is of no use for expats unless one is still actively making money, either in Banking, Industrial sectors, or commerce (trading). And it is more expensive than Tangier, even for non-expats.

Thanks for all that info. As I've mentioned , my wife is from Marrakech and likes to be close to her family there. We have been traveling to Morocco, since 1997, and stay for a month in the Summer which is so hot. I've to go to the beach just to get away from the heat. My wife already made it clear that she wants her own place in Marrakech, so this Summer, inchallah, we'll get an apartment. She received inheritance money  from her father's home when the family sold it which was over $10,000 USD and now she has to file FBAR which is new to us. After finding out about the FBAR, she plans to close bank account in Morocco and put it towards the apartment. The penalties for not filing the FBAR is astronomical and we only found out about this, because we had to file Schedule B for taxes.

US citizen expats need to be aware of this.

Hi,

Yes, FBAR.

If you need to file from abroad, I have been using Bright!Tax. They specialise in American expat taxes. Prices a bit steep, but they give excellent service, beyond imagining. DM me if you are interested to know the name of my contacts at their head office.

As for banking, I would suggest Attijariwafa, simply because their officers are trained to handle international transaction, especially the one in the big cities (Marrakech, Tangier, Casa and Rabat). It's the King's bank, so everything - at least so far - is being kept in very good order. I can say Attijariwafa is almost as efficient as CitiBank. 

I have heard horror cases about other expats banking with BMCE and BMCI & Paribas. International banking law is rather convoluted - and they simply haven't caught up yet with the latest law and regulations. Make sure you have Compte Étranger en Dirham Convertible, so that your funds can be expatriated when (if) needed. But if you have dual citizenships (US and Morocco) this is less important. Many French citizens using the black market to move their cash out of the country, mainly from Marrakech to Paris, due to bank fees on top of the exchange rate. But this method doesn't work for U.S. Citizens.....

Good luck with everything!

Thanks so much for your detailed answer.It was very informative & helpful.
Could you be so kind as to say something about the speed & stability of home internet service & how Morocco does mobile plans? For example, can one get unlimited mobile plans & top up their hotspot affordably?
I ask because i work online from home and require good speeds.Also, i use my cell phone's hotspot when away from home or as a back-up if there's an issue with the home internet service.
Also, when i lived in South America the cable internet service was spotty at best and cellular service was quite expensive, no unlimited plans.
Cheers!

Just Google or walk in one of their stores. Google, Orange Maroc, Inwi, and Maroc Telecom. The service can be spotty when using phone internet in certain areas and using as hotspot. You can get mixed plans as in data and phone. Next time, I'm going with unlimited data, because most people have Whatsapp to make phone calls or you can walk in cafe, buy a something to drink and connect to their wifi to make calls.

Hi Dglorioso,

This is regarding internet and WiFi.

The service is very good in three cities: Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier. Basically where the King lives when in Marocco.
Price wise, they are three-tier options, either by Orange or MarocTelecom.

Basic: +/- €22 per month
Advance: +/- €30-€35 per month
Fiber-Optics: +/- €40-€45 per month. 

Basic subscription for Mobile phone is about €22 per month, and you can always top off its “mobile internet” anytime from anywhere in the world as long as you have WiFi connection. More detail info you need to contact the provider.

Just like in developing countries in Asia (South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia), the technology and quality of its telecommunication infrastructure is very good in Morocco.

One caution: Do Not use public WiFi if your work involves banking or transferring money electronically. I have had a rather alarming experience in Casablanca, from within a posh hotel. If your bank of origin - in Europe or USA - doesn't apply vigilant fraudulent transaction vetting, you might end up having to deal with unpleasant situation.

Hello...wow where do you live.....Marrakech? 2000 dhm a month is very cheap....i need to know! Thanks

JIMMY BOND wrote:

I am rather surprised that the Moroccan cost of living is expensive like Europe according to these posts. Are they correct

Hi Jimmy,

There is a more detailed essay in enclosed tread, written in French.
This is a very good source, as it gives you the option to calculate the cost of children education (following European Standard).
Same conclusion as what I have written above, if not even slightly more expensive. This essay follows a full-throttle expat's lifestyle, complete with “bells and whistles”.


Coût de la vie au Maroc ? Le budget d'une famille expatriée au Maroc


http://o-maroc.com/cout-expatriation-maroc

Salam
How much for a 2 bedroom flat on the ground
Floor in the city of missour  Boulame
All in Fez

Thanks for your answer. Can you tell me what city you are living in?

Am looking at Missour all Fez

Thank you for the thorough breakdown of costs. It is very helpful to have someone in the know explain the different areas in Tangier. We are considering relocating to Tangier with our kids, initially as a sabbatical. We would need to find a school, our kids only speak English the are aged 6 and 8. Is the American School of Tangier the best option? Any comments on schools would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

H1tchcock wrote:

Thank you for the thorough breakdown of costs. It is very helpful to have someone in the know explain the different areas in Tangier. We are considering relocating to Tangier with our kids, initially as a sabbatical. We would need to find a school, our kids only speak English the are aged 6 and 8. Is the American School of Tangier the best option? Any comments on schools would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

Without a doubt.
AST

Sarah Putnam is the current director, a colleague from NYC
[email protected]

Email her for any enquiry and she will respond in less than two weeks.

Carol Young of Young Associates can help you find the perfect place to live, to raise your children within the city limit, avoiding all the hidden trap of bad landlords and empty promises of local street samsars.
[link moderated]

+212 5 39 33 20 95

I have used their services in the last three years.
Because you have children, then Mershan is the most suitable area. Because it has its “Mini Central Park” - And it's even safer than its sister in NYC as Mershan park is located between the King's Palace and his Private Guard Barrack complex.

Good luck!

C est bon monsieur Abe

I. Chafi
Your rent 2000dhms    £160  is very good
Your monthly food bill is good.
You present a much less expensive way of life to Abe.
How is your rent so cheap.

Our rent is this cheap because we don't live in an expensive/popular neighborhood and in a smaller appartment.
I prefer not to live too close to the center. It takes me about 45 min to drive to work

Hi when you say rent is cheap how cheap??

Love vicki wrote:

Hi when you say rent is cheap how cheap??

Vicky,

This is the ballpark - you can do the math.

The Median price in well-developed, safe, and centralised area is €6 per square meter of habitable area (excluding garden) for a furnished property in Tangier, Rabat and Marrakech; And €5 per square meter of habitable area for unfurnished properties; Applicable to any properties between 50-250 square meter habitable for long-term tenancy (one year minimum).

Basic maintenance to be provided by landlord.

Prices are slightly more expensive in Casablanca, and a bit cheaper in Essaouira and Agadir.

Hi could you just say how much rent in these cities are a month I don't understand when you say £5 in Square etc 
And am looking at long term 
In Fez all Missour 
Thank you

Love vicki wrote:

Hi could you just say how much rent in these cities are a month I don't understand when you say £5 in Square etc 
And am looking at long term 
In Fez all Missour 
Thank you

It all depends on where and how much space do you want; Hence the price per square meter.

2bm  apartment all flat

Love vicki wrote:

2bm  apartment all flat

Assuming it is in a safe, centralised and highly desirable part of town (In Tangier, Rabat, Essaouira and Marrakech); Again, the Median Price are:

A) A minuscule Unfurnished 2-BR with one bathroom of 60 square-meter of habitable surface, without a terrace or balcony will start at € 300

B) A medium-size Unfurnished 2-BR with one bathroom of 100 square-meter of habitable surface with a balcony will start at € 500

C) A large Unfurnished 2-BR with two bathrooms of 200 square-meter of habitable surface and a terrace facing a desirable part of the town - or better, the sea - will start at € 1000

Remember: In Morocco ‘unfurnished' means no refrigerator, no cooker and definitely no comfortable furniture. Water and Electricity is the responsibility of the tenants.

Your choice.

Why are you interested in Fès? It is not a safe city for expats, especially ones with limited means. The city of Fès is surrounded by so much poverty, full of crime ridden pockets. Fès only looks good in pictures and it is great only to shop, to visit the museums, or to stay for a week or so.

This rent is monthly ?
What do you know about Missour Verta Boulmane  if you say Fez is not good I take your word for it I prefer quite cities like Missour it not to big all small

Love vicki wrote:

This rent is monthly ?
What do you know about Missour Verta Boulmane  if you say Fez is not good I take your word for it I prefer quite cities like Missour it not to big all small

Yes. Monthly Rent - again they are Median Rental Price in highly desirable neighbourhood for expats.

But not in Missour (Misur) as I have no clue where it is......... 🤷🏻‍♂️

I've only got valid informations at places where I have tried to stay for a relatively long period.