Cost of living in Harare
Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, is a vibrant urban center known for its cultural diversity and economic significance. Understanding the cost of living in Harare is crucial for both residents and newcomers, as it impacts financial planning and lifestyle choices.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Harare for 2024, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $9 on average, with a range between $5 and $20.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $60, with prices ranging from $40 to $100.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $5.5, with a range between $5 and $7.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1 to $3, imported beer $1.5 to $3, cappuccino $1 to $5, and Coke/Pepsi $0.5 to $2.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $1 and $2.6 per liter, averaging $1.61.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1 and $1.2, with an average price of $1.01.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.44 to $3.5, averaging $2.18.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.5 to $4.5 per kg, while oranges range from $1 to $3.69 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.5 and $3 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.5 to $1 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.5 and $1, with a monthly pass priced between $25 and $60.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.55 and $1.75 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $4, with a cost of $2 per km and $5 to $10 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $250 to $800, averaging $367.86.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $200 to $600, averaging $283.33.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $600 to $1800, averaging $942.31.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $400 to $1300, averaging $626.92.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $500 to $2000, averaging $1333.33.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $300 to $1000, averaging $550.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $30 and $100, averaging $59.
- Internet - Internet services range from $80 to $250, with an average cost of $119.22.
Cost of Living Rankings
Harare ranks 1st on the Cost of Living rankings in Zimbabwe. The cost of living indices for Zimbabwe are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Zimbabwe, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Harare offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many global cities, with moderate prices for dining and groceries.
Housing costs vary significantly depending on location, with city centre apartments being more expensive.
Transportation is economical, especially for public transport, though fuel prices are relatively high.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Harare presents a balanced cost of living with affordable dining and grocery options, though housing prices can vary widely.
Potential residents should consider their lifestyle preferences and budget constraints when planning a move to Harare, as costs can differ greatly between city centre and suburban areas.
Nearby Cities
All cities in Zimbabwe