Mozambique (MZ)
Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.
Capital: Maputo
Region: Africa
Language: Portuguese
Currency: MZN (MT)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 20)
Emergency: 119
Premium
Cost of Living
Real prices in Mozambique — 2026 data in MZN.
20
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Bread (local pão, 1 loaf) MT 30–80
Rice (1kg, local) MT 80–150
Milk (1L, Parmalat or imported) MT 100–180
Eggs (12, local) MT 150–250
Chicken (1kg, whole, local market) MT 250–400
Fresh prawns (1kg, medium, local market) MT 600–1,200
Imported pasta (500g) MT 80–200
Tipo Tinto beer (330ml, supermarket) MT 80–150
South African wine (750ml, Shoprite) MT 350–800
Imported cheese (200g) MT 300–700
Monthly groceries for 1 person (mid-range) MT 8,000–18,000
Monthly groceries for 1 person (local market focus) MT 3,000–7,000
Dining Out
Piri-piri chicken at local restaurant MT 300–600
Restaurant lunch (mid-range, Maputo) MT 500–1,500
Restaurant main course (upmarket Polana area) MT 1,000–3,000
Coffee (espresso, café in Maputo) MT 60–150
Tipo Tinto beer in a bar MT 120–250
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant, no wine) MT 1,500–4,000
Street food (matapa, chamussas, grilled maize) MT 30–150
Fresh coconut water (at beach) MT 30–80
Rent
1-bedroom apartment (Maputo, city centre/Polana, monthly) MT 20,000–50,000
2-bedroom apartment (Maputo, city centre, monthly) MT 35,000–80,000
3-bedroom house (Maputo, Sommerschield, monthly) MT 60,000–150,000
1-bedroom apartment (Maputo, outer suburbs, monthly) MT 10,000–25,000
Furnished expat house with pool (Maputo, monthly) MT 80,000–200,000
Apartment (Beira or Nampula, monthly) MT 8,000–25,000
Transport
Chapa (minibus, single trip within Maputo) MT 10–30
inDrive / Bolt ride (Maputo city) MT 150–600
Yellow taxi (city, negotiated) MT 200–600
Airport transfer (Maputo airport to city) MT 500–1,200
Petrol (1 litre, unleaded) MT 80–100
Domestic flight (Maputo–Beira, one way) MT 4,000–9,000
Inter-city bus (Maputo–Inhambane) MT 700–1,200
Car rental (4WD, per day, Maputo) MT 5,000–12,000
Health & Insurance
GP consultation (private, Maputo Medical Centre) MT 1,500–3,000
Specialist consultation (private) MT 2,500–6,000
Malaria test (rapid diagnostic test) MT 300–800
Prescription medication (malaria prophylaxis, monthly) MT 1,000–3,000
Private health insurance (expat, per month) MT 5,000–20,000
Dental check-up (private clinic) MT 1,500–4,000
Ambulance / medical evacuation insurance (annual) MT 13,000–39,000
Utilities
Electricity + water (Maputo apartment, monthly) MT 2,000–8,000
Generator fuel (monthly, essential for expat homes) MT 3,000–10,000
Mobile SIM card (Vodacom, with starter bundle) MT 100–300
Mobile data bundle (5GB, Vodacom) MT 200–400
Home fibre internet (20–50 Mbps, Liquid Telecom, Maputo) MT 3,500–8,000
Monthly mobile plan (calls + data) MT 500–1,500
LPG gas cylinder (12kg, refill) MT 700–1,200
Childcare
Domestic worker / housekeeper (monthly salary) MT 6,000–12,000
Full-time guard (securança, monthly) MT 5,000–10,000
Garden maintenance (monthly) MT 3,000–8,000
Nanny / childminder (monthly) MT 8,000–20,000
Plumber / electrician (call-out, Maputo) MT 1,500–5,000
International school (AISM, monthly equivalent) MT 52,000–110,000
Leisure
Gym membership (Maputo, monthly) MT 2,000–5,000
Cinema ticket (Maputo) MT 300–600
Beach resort day trip (Tofo or Ponta do Ouro) MT 500–2,000 (travel) + accommodation
Scuba diving (1 dive, Tofo) MT 3,500–6,000
Safari day trip (Gorongosa or Niassa) MT 10,000–23,000
Haircut (expat barbershop/salon, Maputo) MT 500–1,500
Cost of Living
Unlock the complete Cost of Living guide for Mozambique — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere