Have you been dreaming about moving to Morocco? I remember when I first arrived here eight years ago, settling into a simple earth house in a tiny village near Ouarzazate for just 700 dirhams (about €70) per month. Since then, I've moved four times across different regions, experiencing everything from rustic village homes to modern apartments.
One question I get asked constantly is: "Can you really live in Morocco for less than €1,000 per month?" The short answer is yes—but your lifestyle choices will make all the difference!
Understanding Your Monthly Budget in Morocco
People often say Morocco is an affordable country, but if you want to maintain a European lifestyle here, your expenses can quickly add up. Your budget will depend on several factors:
- Whether you're single, part of a couple, or have a family
- Your lifestyle habits and personal preferences
- Where you choose to live (tourist city vs. small town)
- The type of housing you select
For comparison, the Moroccan minimum wage (SMIG) in 2022 was about 2,698 dirhams (approximately €260) per month. Throughout this article, I'll share prices in dirhams—the local currency. For a quick conversion, simply divide by 10 (so 100 dirhams is roughly €10).
Let me walk you through the main expenses you'll encounter when living in Morocco, based on my personal experience.
Housing Costs: Finding Your Moroccan Home
Housing is typically your biggest monthly expense. Rental prices in Morocco can range dramatically from 700 dirhams to 20,000 dirhams or more depending on:
- Type of accommodation (apartment, villa, riad)
- Location (city center, countryside, popular tourist area)
- Neighborhood (secured residence, popular district)
- Whether it's furnished or unfurnished
- If utilities are included
My Personal Housing Journey
My housing experience in Morocco has evolved over the years:
- First home: A simple earth house in a small village near Ouarzazate for 700 dirhams/month
- Second home: A rustic house in Ourika Valley, 44km from Marrakech for 800 dirhams/month (I moved because it was between a mosque and a school—too noisy for me!)
- Third home: A brand-new apartment in the same village for 1,500 dirhams/month
- Current home: A house with a garden (essential for my two dogs) about 33km from Marrakech for 3,000 dirhams/month, which I share with my friend Omar (so we each pay 1,500 dirhams)
Typical Housing Costs by Area
For reference, here's what you might expect to pay:
- Well-located furnished apartment in tourist cities (like Marrakech): 5,000-6,000 dirhams/month
- City apartment: 3,000-10,000+ dirhams/month
- Apartment outside city centers: 700-1,500 dirhams/month
- Villa with pool in tourist areas: 15,000-20,000+ dirhams/month
- 3-4 bedroom apartment in popular neighborhoods: 700-5,000 dirhams
Remember, almost everything is negotiable in Morocco! Landlords might ask for one or two months' security deposit plus one month's rent in advance.
Renting Tips
If you're new to Morocco, I recommend renting first rather than buying. Give yourself time to adjust and make sure you like the region before committing. Renting is straightforward—you'll need minimal paperwork, just an appointment with the owner to sign the contract.
If you use a real estate agency, expect to pay additional fees. For your first rental contract, I suggest a duration of 6 months to 1 year, so you're not committed for too long.
Average monthly rent in Morocco: around 5,000 dirhams, but as you can see, it varies widely.
Utility Costs: Electricity, Water, and Gas
After securing your home, you'll need to budget for utilities:
- Electricity: 100-300 dirhams/month (I currently pay about 100 dirhams in my house)
- Water: Usually less than 100 dirhams/month
- Gas: You'll typically need bottled gas for water heating and cooking
In total, expect to pay:
- 400-600 dirhams/month for utilities in larger cities
- 200-300 dirhams/month in smaller towns
- Even less in rural areas
Winter Warning: Most Moroccan homes don't have central heating. I learned the hard way not to use electric heaters—they can significantly increase your electricity bill!
Food and Grocery Expenses
Your food budget will vary based on:
- Whether you cook at home or eat out
- If you shop at local markets or imported food stores
- Your dietary preferences
- Family size
Weekly grocery costs can range from 500 to 1,500 dirhams.
Shopping Like a Local
I keep my food costs reasonable by shopping smart:
- I buy fruits, vegetables, meat, and beldi (free-range) eggs from my village
- A kilo of ground beef costs about 90 dirhams
- A kilo of bananas costs around 10 dirhams
- Once a week, I go to Marrakech for items I can't find locally, spending between 200-500 dirhams
For a family eating European-style foods, expect to spend between 3,000-5,000 dirhams per month on groceries. If you have pets, don't forget to include their food in your budget!
Dining Out in Morocco
Morocco offers endless dining options:
- Popular snacks and street food
- Luxury restaurants
- International fast-food chains
- Vegan, Italian, French, and other international cuisines
In a popular snack spot near my gym in Ourika, I can get a delicious chicken sandwich and tasty panache for just 25 dirhams (€2.50). At nicer restaurants in Marrakech, like Aura, which serves vegetarian and local dishes, an average meal with a drink and dessert costs between 100-200 dirhams per person.
Your restaurant budget will depend entirely on your habits and restaurant choices.
Transportation Options and Costs
Transportation is another major consideration. You'll need to decide whether to:
- Rent a car long-term
- Buy a car
- Use public transportation
- Try carpooling
- Purchase a motorcycle or bicycle
My Car-Free Experience
In my eight years in Morocco, I've never owned a car—it's significantly reduced my monthly expenses. I only rent when absolutely necessary, like when I need to take my dogs to the vet (since they're not allowed on public transport).
For daily transportation, I:
- Use my bicycle for short trips around my village
- Take collective taxis from Ourika to Marrakech (about 35km) for just 12 dirhams one-way (25 dirhams round-trip for a 70km journey)
Vehicle Ownership Costs
If you want to buy a car in Morocco, you'll need a residence card, or you'll have to purchase it under a Moroccan company name.
Renting a car costs:
- About 5,000 dirhams/month for a standard car
- Up to 10,000 dirhams/month for luxury vehicles
Before the pandemic, I could easily rent a Dacia Logan for 200 dirhams/day, but prices have increased to 300-400 dirhams/day due to rental company closures and increased tourism.
You can bring your French vehicle to Morocco, but it can only remain in the country for six months during a calendar year, and the customs fees are expensive. It's usually more advantageous to buy locally.
If you do have a car, budget around 2,000+ dirhams monthly for maintenance, fuel (which is increasingly expensive), parking, and insurance.
Public Transportation
Morocco offers numerous public transportation options:
- Buses (cheapest but not always convenient)
- Small taxis (metered or fixed price depending on the region)
- Trams in cities like Casablanca and Rabat
- Minibuses and unofficial taxis
- Grand taxis for intercity travel
Budget 400-1,000 dirhams/month for public transportation, depending on your travel frequency and city size. In Casablanca, this could rise to 3,000 dirhams/month.
Leisure and Entertainment Budget
Don't forget to allocate funds for:
- Entertainment (cinema, concerts)
- Healthcare
- Leisure activities
- Family outings
- Domestic travel to explore Morocco
Education Costs for Families
Most expatriates choose private schools for their children due to teaching quality. Options include:
- AEFE/OSUI network schools
- Belgian schools in Morocco
- American schools
For these premium networks, budget approximately 50,000 dirhams per year per child. Other private schools range from 20,000-30,000 dirhams annually per child.
Discounts may be available upon request or if you enroll multiple children in the same school network.
Healthcare and Insurance
Healthcare often concerns foreigners moving to Morocco. Like education, there are public and private systems, with expatriates typically preferring private clinics available in all cities.
Insurance Options
I recommend:
- Initially keeping your home country health insurance until you receive your Moroccan residence card
- If you're French, consider the ACFE insurance for French citizens living abroad (from €72/month for those over 30)
- Look into private insurance like ACS, which offers health and assistance coverage for your first expatriation year (€845 if you're under 35, with prices increasing with age)
Once you obtain your residence card, you can purchase local health insurance, which will be much more affordable.
Internet and Phone Costs
Internet services might seem expensive compared to France:
- Fiber optic with 100Mbps: 500 dirhams/month
- 200Mbps package: 1,000 dirhams/month
I pay 358 dirhams monthly for my phone plan with 12 hours of calls, internet, and a 4G modem with 40GB of data. I registered under my company name to include it in my accounting. For less than 400 dirhams/month, I have phone service and home internet, plus I can take my small modem when traveling.
Additional Expenses to Consider
Don't forget about:
- Gym memberships
- Housekeeping or gardening services
- Pet care
- Unexpected costs and new purchases
So What's the Total? Is Living in Morocco Affordable?
It's difficult to provide a fixed budget that works for everyone, as it depends on your lifestyle, choices, and needs. However, for a European lifestyle in Morocco, the average budget ranges from €1,000 to €2,500 per month.
Can you live on less than €1,000 monthly? Absolutely! I did it for years. If you:
- Live alone
- Don't own a car
- Have reasonable rent
- Don't live in a major tourist city
- Maintain a simple lifestyle
You can easily live comfortably for under €1,000 per month.
If you prefer a more luxurious lifestyle in a tourist city, with a nice car, beautiful accommodation, and frequent outings, your budget might rise to €2,500-€3,000 monthly for a couple.
Final Thoughts: Planning Your Morocco Budget
Morocco offers incredible flexibility in living costs. Whether you're seeking a minimalist lifestyle in a peaceful village or luxury living in a vibrant city, there's something for every budget.
The key is understanding your priorities and being realistic about your lifestyle needs. Many expats find they can maintain a higher quality of life here for less than they spent back home, especially if they embrace local shopping, transportation, and living patterns.
Have you been thinking about moving to Morocco? What aspects of the budget surprise you most? Drop me a comment below—I'd love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions about life in this beautiful country!
Looking for more insights about living in Morocco? Check out my guide to Experiencing Ramadan in Morocco for a glimpse into one of the most special times of year in this amazing country.