zimbabwe

Prices and Cost of Living in Zimbabwe

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Zimbabwe. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 9.35 USD to 19.23 USD

Transportation

from 2.00 USD

Sightseeing

from 5.10 USD to 10.20 USD

Accommodation

from 46.60 USD to 51.78 USD

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 63.05 USD to 83.21 USD

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 21 August 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 20302 ZWL (63.05 USD) to 26794 ZWL (83.21 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 36170 ZWL (112 USD) to 55825 ZWL (173 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Zimbabwe. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 5.09 USD to 8.78 USD

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 6.81 USD to 12.83 USD

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 21 August 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Zimbabwe?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 1639 ZWL (5.09 USD) to 2827 ZWL (8.78 USD) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 2193 ZWL (6.81 USD) to 4131 ZWL (12.83 USD) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 21 August 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Zimbabwe

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Zimbabwe, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)2.69 USD
Banana (1kg)1.77 USD
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)5.87 USD
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)7.00 USD
Chicken Fillets (1kg)5.74 USD
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)1.50 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)1.17 USD
Eggs (regular) (12)2.09 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)1.76 USD
Lettuce (1 head)1.07 USD
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)1.00 USD
Local Cheese (1kg)10.55 USD
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.60 USD
Onion (1kg)1.86 USD
Oranges (1kg)2.17 USD
Potato (1kg)1.64 USD
Rice (white), (1kg)1.92 USD
Tomato (1kg)1.58 USD
Water (1.5 liter bottle)1.08 USD

Food and beverage prices in Zimbabwe

Popular food products found on store shelves in Zimbabwe include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1.86 ZWL (1.86 USD) for a kilo of onions to 5.87 ZWL (5.87 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1.92 ZWL (1.92 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 1 ZWL (1 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 1.77 ZWL (1.77 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 2.69 ZWL (2.69 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 1.08 ZWL (1.08 USD). Dairy prices in Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 1.6 ZWL (1.6 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 10.55 ZWL (10.55 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 5.74 ZWL (5.74 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 2.09 ZWL (2.09 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 1.58 ZWL (1.58 USD) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)2.67 USD
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)0.70 USD
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)1.50 USD
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)2.00 USD
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)6.00 USD
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course50.00 USD
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant6.83 USD
Water (0.33 liter bottle)0.47 USD

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Zimbabwe vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 2.67 ZWL (2.67 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 0.7 ZWL (0.7 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 6 ZWL (6 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 50 ZWL (50 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 6.83 ZWL (6.83 USD).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)30.00 USD
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)1.00 USD
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)5.00 USD
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)2.00 USD
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)5.00 USD

How much does transportation cost in Zimbabwe?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 1 ZWL (1 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 30 ZWL (30 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 5 ZWL (5 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 2 ZWL (2 USD).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L1.50 USD
Gasoline 1L1.54 USD

Fuel prices in Zimbabwe

Average fuel prices in Zimbabwe are 496 ZWL (1.54 USD) per liter of gasoline and 483 ZWL (1.5 USD) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat10.00 USD
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult50.00 USD
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)10.88 USD

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre336 USD
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre236 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre820 USD
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre551 USD

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Zimbabwe?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Zimbabwe varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 236 ZWL (236 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 336 ZWL (336 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 975 ZWL (975 USD) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre975 USD
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre583 USD

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)348 USD

Hotel Prices in Zimbabwe

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
5
98.59 USD
Cosham guest house
28
134 USD
The Palace Guest House
6
177 USD
The Hawks Bed and Breakfast
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices of products and services in Zimbabwe. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 06/2025, latest data 07/2025.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs zimbabwe

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