🇲🇦 Morocco · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Rabat? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, Agdal or central RabatMAD 5,000–9,000 / month
One-bed flat, Hay Riad or SouissiMAD 6,500–12,000 / month
One-bed flat, Salé or TémaraMAD 2,500–4,500 / month
Utilities and internet, one personMAD 550–1,000 / month
Groceries, one personMAD 1,800–3,200 / month
Good to know
Population
≈580,000 in Rabat itself; around 1.9 million across the Rabat-Salé-Témara conurbation
Languages
Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and French in daily use; French dominant in administration and higher education; English common in the diplomatic and development sector
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD) — not freely convertible, and subject to Office des Changes rules
Time zone
GMT+1 year-round, reverting to GMT+0 for the month of Ramadan
Power plug
Type C and E, 220 V, 50 Hz
Climate
Mediterranean with strong Atlantic influence — mild wet winters, warm summers moderated by sea breeze, and cooler than inland Morocco all year
Public transport
Two tramway lines linking Rabat and Salé, plus buses; Al Boraq high-speed rail from Rabat-Agdal to Tangier and Casablanca
Driving side
Right
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Rabat checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Rabat
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.