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If you've ever considered moving to Zimbabwe, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Zimbabwe?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Zimbabwe and whether the reported $1270 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $292.88.
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
7.5 $ |
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
40.0 $ |
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
6.0 $ |
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
1.3 $ |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
2.0 $ |
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
2.27 $ |
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.71 $ |
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.48 $ |
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.61 $ |
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
1.04 $ |
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
1.77 $ |
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.87 $ |
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
8.83 $ |
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
4.86 $ |
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
5.27 $ |
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.94 $ |
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.66 $ |
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
2.16 $ |
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
1.63 $ |
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.59 $ |
|
Onion (1 lb) |
1.56 $ |
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
0.92 $ |
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
1.08 $ |
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
8.5 $ |
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.25 $ |
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
2.19 $ |
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
2.0 $ |
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.5 $ |
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
30.0 $ |
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
5.0 $ |
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.5 $ |
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
7.5 $ |
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.41 $ |
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
28000.0 $ |
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
29333.33 $ |
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
66.92 $ |
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
0.19 $ |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
102.44 $ |
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
34.55 $ |
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
9.17 $ |
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
8.0 $ |
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
290.0 $ |
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
8462.5 $ |
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
22.5 $ |
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
19.38 $ |
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
43.0 $ |
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
50.0 $ |
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
282.35 $ |
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
246.67 $ |
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
770.0 $ |
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
642.86 $ |
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
1155.28 $ |
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
1325.0 $ |
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
---|---|---|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
292.88 $ |
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
14.17 % |
|
The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 7.5 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 40.0 USD.
Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.61 USD, a loaf of bread 1.04 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 1.87 USD.
Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.5 USD and a monthly pass around 30.0 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.
For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 66.92 USD.
For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 34.55 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 9.17 USD.
Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 290.0 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 8462.5 USD.
Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 22.5 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 43.0 USD.
Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 282.35 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 246.67 USD.
If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 1155.28 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 1325.0 USD.
The average monthly net salary here is about 292.88 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 14.17% annually.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is, for the most part, a safe country to visit. However, it does have an extremely high rate of both petty and violent crime, though it's mainly ridden with petty street crime. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of getting stolen from.
Means of transportation in Zimbabwe are limited and not very reliable. Driving in Zimbabwe is not recommended since the driving conditions are really bad and the country is filled with irresponsible drivers. Taxis are available, but be wary as drivers might jack up prices for tourists. Always negotiate the price before your ride.
There is an extreme threat to petty crime. Pickpockets are an everyday occurrence, so you should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. Never carry all your money in the same place, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
As for natural disasters, the greatest risks in Zimbabwe are the floods that are known to kill people and leave large numbers of homeless people, causing irreparable damage.
Violent crime is also a common occurrence in Zimbabwe and you have to be very careful. If you are visiting Nyanga, you should avoid Pungwe Falls, Mterazi Falls, and the Honde Falls, as there have been many instances of armed robbery, theft, all kinds of assaults, and attempted rapes reported at these sites.
There haven't been any recent terrorist attacks in Zimbabwe's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Scams are an everyday occurrence in this country. There are a number of scams performed on tourists, and the locals use every situation to try and get money from you. Double-check everything, and negotiate everything in advance. Be careful when taking a taxi and make sure they use the meter or negotiate the ride before getting into the cab.
Zimbabwe isn't the safest place for a woman to be visiting alone. If you do, be sure to avoid remote streets, both during day and night, and do not flash your belongings or handle money in public. Stay out of the streets at night and be vigilant for any possible dangers at all times.
Many countries do need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Zimbabwe. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
The Zimbabwean dollar is the official currency in Zimbabwe. Visa is the preferred card for ATM cash withdrawals, though MasterCard is becoming more and more used and accepted.
The climate in Zimbabwe varies from region to region. Generally speaking, there are two seasons: a dry season, including a short cool season lasting from May to September when there's very little precipitation; and a rainy season, with heavy rainfall lasting from November to March.
The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, formerly known as the Harare International Airport, is the largest and busiest international airport in Zimbabwe. It is the base of Air Zimbabwe and is located in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Zimbabwe, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.