Morocco's Urban Centers Join Africa's Most Expensive Cities in 2025

Three of Morocco's major cities have emerged among Africa's top 10 most expensive urban centers in 2025, according to Numbeo's latest Cost of Living Index. Casablanca leads the Moroccan contingent, securing the fourth position with a 31.4 cost of living index, while Rabat and Marrakech follow in ninth and tenth places with indices of 29.9 and 29.4, respectively.

The comprehensive analysis reveals notable cost variations between these urban centers. Rabat's overall living expenses, excluding rent, are 5.2% lower than Casablanca's, though the capital city commands 2.2% higher rental rates than its economic hub counterpart. The gap widens further when comparing Rabat to Marrakech, with the capital's rental market showing prices 34.1% above those in the historic tourist destination.

Monthly expenditure estimates for single residents, not including housing costs, paint a detailed picture of urban living expenses: Casablanca tops the list at MAD 5,483, followed by Rabat at MAD 5,290, and Marrakech at MAD 5,141. These figures reflect comprehensive costs including essentials such as food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

The continental ranking, compiled from Numbeo's extensive database of quality-of-life indicators contributed by over 829,000 global participants, places Harare, Zimbabwe at the summit, followed by Johannesburg, South Africa, and Accra, Ghana. Other prominent African cities in the top ten include Cape Town, Pretoria, Nairobi, and Lagos.

This development comes amid Morocco's broader economic challenges. Recent years have witnessed significant price increases across basic necessities, particularly in urban centers like Rabat and Casablanca. The impact was particularly severe in 2023, when food inflation peaked at 18.4% in February, prompting more than 60% of Moroccans to reduce their grocery purchases, according to market research firm Sunergia.

The inflation surge sparked public demonstrations in several cities, including Tangier and Meknes, as citizens expressed frustration over escalating prices and perceived governmental inaction. While 2024 saw some relief in basic commodity prices, many households continue to struggle with financial stability, indicating persistent economic pressure on urban residents.

Looking ahead, while inflation in Morocco is projected to decrease to 0.8%, the underlying cost pressures in these major cities are expected to remain significant, highlighting ongoing challenges in urban affordability across the nation.