If you're planning on relocating from the United States to Zimbabwe, it’s important to build a realistic budget based on the cost of living in your chosen destination. The cost of everyday life, from rent and utilities, to childcare and education, tax and other unavoidable costs, can vary enormously based on market forces, the strength of the local economy and government policies.
Cost of living is highly personalised, and can depend on the things you like to do, food you like to eat, type of home you want to live in, and so on. Naturally, living in a new country with a family, paying for a larger property, education and healthcare, would cost significantly more than an international student looking only to cover basic expenses during a relatively short term stay.
In this guide we look at differences in cost of living between Zimbabwe & the United States, so you can start to build up a budget to cover your costs when you relocate. To help you plan your spending we’ve covered different common expenses in Zimbabwe such as transport, healthcare, childcare and entertainment. Read on for more detail on each.
The cost of living in Zimbabwe is $876, which is 1.3 times less expensive than the world average. Zimbabwe ranked 116th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 160th best country to live in.
The average salary after taxes in Zimbabwe is $233, which is enough to cover living expenses for 0.3 months. Why living in Zimbabwe costs 3.8 times more than the average salary? Because we have a developed country lifestyle as a reference and in some least developed countries maintaining such a standard of living is hard and expensive.
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Thus, living costs in Zimbabwe for locals and expats differ significantly. Discover best places to live in Zimbabwe.
Cost of Living in Zimbabwe | Monthly Budget Breakdown | Expensive?
Key Expenses to Consider
Accommodation in Zimbabwe
If you’re moving to Zimbabwe you’ll likely need to rent a place to live. No matter where in the world you choose to reside, the costs of rent tend to make up a huge slice of your monthly budget.
Utilities (monthly) in Zimbabwe
No matter where you choose to live in Zimbabwe you’ll need to pay utility bills for electricity, gas, water and other similar services. Utility costs are often dictated, or capped, by government policies, as well as market forces, which can mean that what you pay in one country is quite different to another.
Grocery costs in Zimbabwe
Daily grocery costs and availability changes depending on the country you’re in, with factors like the proportion of foods that are imported making a big difference.
Transport in Zimbabwe
Getting around will be an important cost to consider when living in Zimbabwe.
Read also: Africa Cost of Living
Salaries in Zimbabwe
The amount of money you have in your pocket when you’re living in Zimbabwe is a function of both the salary you can earn, and the amount of tax you need to pay on your income.
Education and childcare in Zimbabwe
For people moving to Zimbabwe with a family, the costs of education and childcare will be an important budget line. Childcare, school fees and university costs can be a huge proportion of your annual budget, particularly when you’re outside of your home country, and may not have access to government funded educational institutions.
Here’s a look at some common costs in Zimbabwe to help your research.
Entertainment and eating out in Zimbabwe
Don’t forget to include discretionary spending on entertainment and personal care to your budget for Zimbabwe.
Cost Breakdown
Here's a summary of the estimated monthly costs for individuals and families in Zimbabwe:
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- One person:
- Total with rent: $876
- Without rent: $553
- Family of 4:
- Total with rent: $2178
- Without rent: $1673
Detailed breakdown:
- Rent & Utilities: $323 (one person) / $505 (family of 4)
- Food: $339 (one person) / $916 (family of 4)
- Transport: $144 (one person) / $397 (family of 4)
Additional Data:
- Monthly salary after tax: $233
- GDP per capita: $2656
- Human freedom index: 4.87
- Life expectancy: 62.8
- English speaking %: 82.1%
- Population: 16.6M
Childcare Costs Comparison: United States vs. Zimbabwe
Here’s a look at some common costs in Zimbabwe to help your research.
Comparison of childcare costs between the United States and Zimbabwe:
| Expense | United States | Zimbabwe | % difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | $1374.4 | $220.7 | -83.9% |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | $22696.4 | $8027.3 | -64.6% |
Exchange rates between the United States & Zimbabwe
Understanding the differences in exchange rate between the United States & Zimbabwe is important to allow you to manage your money across currencies. Looking at historical data and trends for the USD/USD exchange rate can help you understand how far your funds will go once you move.
Pro tips: When you're traveling internationally, a debit card from a service like Wise can make spending money cheaper.
Using a multi-currency card from Wise for your travels is often a more cost-effective option. Wise provides conversions at the mid-market exchange rate without any markups or hidden fees, ensuring you get the bets possible value for your money.
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