Marrakech – Moroccan cities are rising in Africa’s rental market, with three now ranked among the continent's 20 most expensive for housing, according to the latest data from the international cost-of-living platform, Numbeo.
Casablanca takes the lead, securing the 5th spot in Africa and ranking 271st globally out of 391 cities assessed.
Rabat follows in 8th place in Africa and 283rd worldwide. Marrakech has experienced a notable surge, climbing nine positions to 17th in Africa and 339th globally for rental costs.
On the African continent, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia tops the list, followed by Cape Town, Windhoek, Kigali, and Casablanca.
Globally, the top five cities with the highest rents remain dominated by the United States, with New York leading the way, followed by Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, and Singapore rounding out the top five.
Numbeo’s rankings are based on a cost-of-living index that compares average expenses across cities worldwide, using New York as a benchmark with an index of 100%.
The Rental Index specifically measures housing costs relative to New York— for example, an index of 80 means rents are approximately 20% lower than in New York.
In addition to the Rent Index, Numbeo provides several other cost-of-living indicators, including the Cost of Living Index (excluding rent), Groceries Index, Restaurants Index, Cost of Living Plus Rent Index, and Local Purchasing Power Index.
These indices offer valuable insights into the economic conditions of various cities, aiding individuals and organizations in making informed decisions about relocation, travel, and business opportunities.