Living in Casablanca: about $1,500 a month in Morocco's business capital
Mild Atlantic weather, high-speed trains from Casa-Voyageurs, and the U.S. Consulate in town. Here's who Casablanca suits, and the laws to weigh before you move.
- 3,215,935
- Population (2024)
- $1,500/mo
- Monthly budget · single
- 66°F / 19°C
- Avg temperature
Plan on about $1,500 a month in U.S. dollars for one person in Casablanca, around $2,200 for a couple, and about $3,200 for a family of four, based on our 2026 data. Most single budgets land somewhere between $1,200 and $1,800. Rent drives the spread: a one-bedroom in a central area averages about $700, with most between $550 and $850, and about $500 farther out.
Casablanca is Morocco's biggest city, with about 3.2 million people as of 2024, and its commercial center. It suits people who come here to work, families who want an English-language school, and anyone who wants the country's better hospitals and Royal Air Maroc's nonstop flights to New York close by. Anfa and Maarif are the neighborhoods that suit people who work here.
It isn't postcard Morocco. The city sprawls, traffic is heavy, and it's not much of a beach town, so if you're picturing medina lanes and quiet afternoons, look hard before you sign a lease. The weather is the easy part: Atlantic air keeps the yearly average near 66 F (18.7 C).
Reviewed and updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read
At a glance
$1,500
Monthly budget · single person
$700/mo 1-bed rent, center
55/100
Safety index
$30
Internet / month
66°Fannual average
Jan 56° · Aug 75°
Climate
3,215,935
Population (2024)
Expatsi estimates, updated Oct 2026, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting.
Cost of living
What it costs to live in Casablanca
Single person
$1,200–$1,800/mo
about 50% below Austin, TX
Couple
$1,800–$2,700/mo
about 50% below Austin, TX
Family of four
$2,700–$3,800/mo
about 60% below Austin, TX
Compared with Austin, TX (Expatsi estimate, 2026).
- $5 −75%
- Inexpensive meal
- $550–$850/mo −64%
- 1-bed rent, center
- $400–$550/mo −63%
- 1-bed rent, outside
- $30/mo −54%
- Internet
- $25/mo −39%
- Transit pass
- $186/sq ft −71%
- Buy price, center
Expatsi estimates, updated Oct 2026, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting.
Daily life
How Casablanca lives
- A- grade, 75th percentile among the cities we track
- Dining & cafésstrong
- B- grade, 37th percentile among the cities we track
- Arts & culturetypical
- B- grade, 36th percentile among the cities we track
- Parks & outdoorstypical
- B grade, 52nd percentile among the cities we track
- Schools & educationtypical
- A- grade, 77th percentile among the cities we track
- Healthcare accessstrong
- C+ grade, 25th percentile among the cities we track
- Bike infrastructuremodest
- B grade, 55th percentile among the cities we track
- Public transittypical
- A- grade, good physical accessibility
- Accessibilitygood
Graded on OpenStreetMap amenity density relative to the 436 cities we track. Accessibility is the exception: it's graded against a fixed standard (terrain steepness and sidewalk surfaces), not a curve.
Climate
Weather through the year
Annual average 66°F (19°C) · 16 in of rain a year · Source: Meteostat station normals (60155, 1991-2020)
On the ground
Scenes from Casablanca
Getting around
Transport in Casablanca
Most people get around Casablanca by tram, taxi, and more and more by app. The Casa Tramway network crosses the city and links up with busway lines that opened in March 2024. Trams come often but fill up at rush hour. Line T1 stops right in front of Casa-Voyageurs, the main train station.
Casa-Voyageurs is also the southern end of Al Boraq, Morocco's high-speed line, and has direct trains to Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier. Flying in? Trains leave from the basement of Terminal 1 at Mohammed V airport and reach Casa-Voyageurs in about 30 minutes, generally between 6:50 a.m. and 10:50 p.m.
Red taxis are the everyday option. They're required by law to use the meter, and many drivers only take cash. Uber came back in late 2025, starting in Casablanca and Marrakech, but it only works with licensed transport operators. inDrive, Careem, Yango, and Heetch also run here, in a legal gray area that taxi unions still fight.
The car question mostly answers itself. The State Department calls driving practices very poor and says city buses aren't considered safe, so most newcomers lean on trams, taxis, and the train. Walking works inside a neighborhood, but this is a big, spread-out city, and most trips across it take a ride.
- 25/sq mi
- Transit stops
- 0.1/sq mi
- Bike infrastructure
- 3.8/sq mi
- Wheelchair-accessible places
Mapped features per square mile from OpenStreetMap.
Keep exploring
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Community
Community & practical notes
Community: Most foreigners in Casablanca are here for work, so you'll meet more professionals and families than retirees. The U.S. Consulate General sits at 8 Boulevard Moulay Youssef; it's where every U.S. citizen in Morocco goes for help, including passports. A few phrases of French or Moroccan Arabic make taxis, markets, and paperwork a lot smoother.
Healthcare: The State Department says adequate care is available in Casablanca and Rabat, though not every facility meets Western standards. Most providers expect cash up front, many medical staff speak little English, and Medicare doesn't cover you abroad. Hunter Schultz, our healthcare coach, can help you size up the care near where you'll live, and ExpatInsure sets up international coverage that goes with you.
Safety: The State Department rates Morocco Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, as of September 2026, citing the risk of terrorism. Day to day, petty crime is the bigger issue in major cities, and police response to reports from Americans can be inconsistent. Keep your phone and bag close in crowds.
LGBTQ expats: Same-sex relations are a crime in Morocco, with fines and up to three years in prison. That applies in Casablanca like everywhere else, and it should come first in your decision.
Black Americans: We couldn't find official guidance on this. One Black American student who wrote about studying in Meknes in 2024 described a mostly warm welcome, along with stares, strangers asking for photos, and one slur. He also noted that Black Africans selling goods nearby wouldn't get the treatment he did as an American. That's one person's account, so talk to Black Americans living in Casablanca now before you decide.
Limited mobility: The State Department warns that accessibility is very different from what you're used to in the U.S. Add the heavy traffic and city sprawl, and you'll find that getting around in a wheelchair takes planning. Check building entrances, elevators, and your route to the tram in person before you sign a lease. Budget for taxis.
Remote work and schools: Spaces runs a coworking center at Anfa Place on Boulevard de la Corniche. For families, Casablanca American School in the Californie area teaches nursery through grade 12 in English, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and has offered the International Baccalaureate since 1986.
Retirement: Morocco has no dedicated retirement visa. Retirees stay on a residence card from the police, and first-time applicants need a criminal record check that you can only get in the U.S., so order it before you leave. Compare retirement visa options or read our full Morocco guide.
Housing
Renting and buying
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $550–$850/mo
- 1-bed rent (outside center)
- $400–$550/mo
- Buy price (center)
- $186/sq ft
- Buy price (outside center)
- $102/sq ft
Expatsi estimates, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is healthcare good in Casablanca?
Casablanca and Rabat have the best care in Morocco, which the State Department calls adequate, though not every facility meets Western standards. Expect to pay cash up front, and plan on international health insurance, since Medicare doesn't apply outside the U.S.
What is the weather like in Casablanca?
Mild all year. January averages highs near 64 F and lows near 49 F, and August highs average near 80 F. Most of the rain falls from November through January, and summers are nearly dry, with about 16 inches of rain a year in total.
How much does it cost to live in Casablanca?
Our 2026 data puts one person at about $1,500 a month in U.S. dollars, with most single budgets between $1,200 and $1,800. A couple typically spends $1,800 to $2,700, and a family of four $2,700 to $3,800. A central one-bedroom usually rents for $550 to $850 a month.
Is Casablanca safe for Americans?
The State Department rates Morocco Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, as of September 2026, because of terrorism risk. In big cities like Casablanca, petty crime such as pickpocketing is the everyday concern. Same-sex relations are a crime in Morocco, which matters a great deal for LGBTQ Americans.
Can you fly nonstop from the U.S. to Casablanca?
Yes. Royal Air Maroc flies nonstop between Casablanca and New York. From Mohammed V airport, a train takes about 30 minutes to Casa-Voyageurs station in the city.
Can I retire in Casablanca?
Yes, but not on a retirement visa, because Morocco doesn't have one. Retirees live on a residence card issued by the police, backed by income from abroad. First-time applicants need a U.S. criminal record check, which can only be obtained in the United States.
Are there American or international schools in Casablanca?
Yes. Casablanca American School teaches nursery through grade 12 in English, offers the International Baccalaureate, and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Visit and ask about fees and waiting lists early.
Do I need a car in Casablanca?
Most newcomers don't. Trams, metered red taxis, ride-hailing apps, and trains cover daily life, and the State Department describes Moroccan driving practices as very poor. A car mainly helps if you'll make regular trips outside the city.
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