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Daily Living and Household Costs

A full x-ray of a Mozambican household budget: meals, groceries, fuel, monthly bills, children, and family leisure.

Updated: August 2026

How to read these figures

The numbers on this page are price bands collected in Maputo and Matola and cross-checked against public sources: the Consumer Price Index published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the maximum fuel prices set by the energy regulator (ARENE), and the published tariffs of EDM (Electricidade de Moçambique, the national electricity utility) and the water companies. They are not fixed prices; they are for comparison and budgeting.

Maputo sits at the top of the range. Beira, Nampula, Quelimane, Chimoio, and Tete usually run 15% to 30% lower on fresh groceries and meals, although imported goods can cost more because of transport. In Pemba, Vilankulo, and Inhambane, restaurants and lodging follow the tourist season.

Indicative conversions use Banco de Moçambique reference averages: about 64 MZN to the dollar and 73 MZN to the euro. Exchange rates and inflation move quickly, so confirm figures in the month you will actually spend.

Eating out - what each option actually is

"A local meal" means nothing until you say what is on the plate. These are the four situations anyone encounters in Mozambique, from the simplest to the most formal.

  • Street or bakery snack: a bread roll with cheese or egg, badjia, a rissole, a samosa, and a soft drink. It stops the hunger but does not replace lunch (100–200 MZN (≈USD 1.56–3 / EUR 1.37–2.73))
  • Prato do dia at a casa de pasto or a neighbourhood diner, a genuinely full lunch: xima or rice, grilled chicken, meat or fish, beans, and salad. This is the benchmark whenever anyone says "local lunch" (300–600 MZN (≈USD 5–9 / EUR 4–8))
  • Lunch or dinner at a neighbourhood restaurant with table service: main course, bread, and a drink (700–1,200 MZN (≈USD 11–19 / EUR 10–16) per person)
  • Mid-range restaurant in Polana, Sommerschield, Costa do Sol, or a shopping centre: starter, main, drink, and coffee (1,200–2,500 MZN (≈USD 19–39 / EUR 16–34) per person). Fresh seafood and imported items push well past this
Matapa dish with fish in Mozambique

A full local meal

A neighbourhood lunch (xima or rice, fish or meat, and vegetables) is what “local meal” means here. Not a snack or street bite.

Stalls, food trucks, and takeaway

Beyond restaurants, Maputo and Matola are full of fixed stalls, food trucks, and takeaway kiosks. The figures below were collected from local partners on the ground and reflect what you pay today; they give a broad picture, not a fixed menu.

The contrast with a city restaurant is stark: at a stall, a full lunch usually runs 150–200 MZN (≈USD 2.35–3 / EUR 2.05–2.73); in a restaurant, a main course starts around 750 MZN (≈USD 12 / EUR 10) and can pass 3,500 MZN (≈USD 55 / EUR 48). Soft drinks, juices, and beer follow the same pattern: cheaper on the street, more expensive with table service.

  • Daily plate (rice or xima with horse mackerel, chicken, goat, bean stew, or greens, plus salad): 150–200 MZN (≈USD 2.35–3 / EUR 2.05–2.73) at most spots
  • Plates with red fish, prawns, squid, crab, or clams: 200–300 MZN (≈USD 3–5 / EUR 2.73–4)
  • Vegetable or bean soup: 50–75 MZN (≈USD 0.78–1.17 / EUR 0.68–1.02)
  • Half chicken with chips or xima and salad: about 350 MZN (≈USD 5 / EUR 5); whole chicken: about 600 MZN (≈USD 9 / EUR 8)
  • Savouries (samosa, badjia, rissole): 2–10 MZN (≈USD 0.03–0.16 / EUR 0.03–0.14); bread roll (mahante): 5 MZN (≈USD 0.08 / EUR 0.07)
  • Egg or rachel sandwich, simple burger: 100–150 MZN (≈USD 1.56–2.35 / EUR 1.37–2.05); steak sandwich (prego): about 200 MZN (≈USD 3 / EUR 2.73)
  • Mineral water (0.5 L / 1 L): 25 MZN (≈USD 0.39 / EUR 0.34) / 50 MZN (≈USD 0.78 / EUR 0.68); bottled or canned soft drink: 25–60 MZN (≈USD 0.39–0.94 / EUR 0.34–0.82)
  • Maheu (0.5 L): 10–15 MZN (≈USD 0.16–0.23 / EUR 0.14–0.20); sugar-cane juice, malambe yogurt, or coconut water: 50–150 MZN (≈USD 0.78–2.35 / EUR 0.68–2.05)
  • National beer, 350 ml bottle (2M, Txilar, Impala, Laurentina, Manica): 50–75 MZN (≈USD 0.78–1.17 / EUR 0.68–1.02); aguardente (750 ml): 50–75 MZN (≈USD 0.78–1.17 / EUR 0.68–1.02)
Fresh produce stall at a Maputo market

Weekly groceries

Municipal markets sell eggs, onions, potatoes, and vegetables at posted stall prices; the base of a weekly food shop.

What that adds up to monthly

Lunch at a stall or food truck (150–200 MZN (≈USD 2.35–3 / EUR 2.05–2.73) a day) comes to about 3,300–4,400 MZN (≈USD 52–69 / EUR 45–60) over 22 working days. Eating the prato do dia at a casa de pasto on all 22 working days costs roughly 6,600–13,200 MZN (≈USD 103–207 / EUR 90–180) a month. Bringing lunch from home cuts that line by more than half. Eating mid-range every day comfortably passes 30,000 MZN (≈USD 469 / EUR 410).

Breakfast out (coffee and a cheese roll at a kiosk or bakery) runs 80–250 MZN (≈USD 1.25–4 / EUR 1.09–3). Tipping is not obligatory; 5% to 10% is the habit when the service is good.

Petrol station in Mozambique

Fuel

ARENE sets maximum petrol and diesel prices; the rate is the same at every pump in the same zone.

Groceries - the weekly and monthly basket

The food bill depends mostly on where you shop. Municipal markets (Xipamanine, Janet, Estrela Vermelha, and the Fish Market in Maputo, Goto and Maquinino in Beira) are clearly cheaper for fruit, vegetables, and fish. Supermarkets win on rice, oil, tinned goods, and cleaning products, but imported items cost two to three times their local equivalent.

  • Rice, 1 kg: 90–140 MZN (≈USD 1.41–2.19 / EUR 1.23–1.91)
  • Maize flour for xima, 1 kg: 50–80 MZN (≈USD 0.78–1.25 / EUR 0.68–1.09)
  • Cooking oil, 1 litre: 180–260 MZN (≈USD 2.82–4 / EUR 2.46–4)
  • Beans, 1 kg: 150–250 MZN (≈USD 2.35–4 / EUR 2.05–3)
  • Whole frozen chicken, about 1.3 kg: 450–650 MZN (≈USD 7–10 / EUR 6–9)
  • Fresh market fish (horse mackerel, kingfish), 1 kg: 300–600 MZN (≈USD 5–9 / EUR 4–8)
  • Tray of 30 eggs: 400–600 MZN (≈USD 6–9 / EUR 5–8)
  • UHT milk, 1 litre: 110–160 MZN (≈USD 1.72–2.50 / EUR 1.50–2.18)
  • Tomatoes, onions, and greens for the week: 600–1,200 MZN (≈USD 9–19 / EUR 8–16)
  • Fresh bread for the family, per day: 60–120 MZN (≈USD 0.94–1.88 / EUR 0.82–1.64)
EDM building in Maputo

Electricity and water

EDM (Electricidade de Moçambique) manages power; Maputo water is handled by Águas da Região de Maputo. Top up your meter and keep receipts.

Two reference baskets

For a family of four, the economy basket (bought almost entirely at the market and built on xima, rice, beans, vegetables, eggs, and fish) runs 3,500–5,500 MZN (≈USD 55–86 / EUR 48–75) a week, or 15,000–24,000 MZN (≈USD 235–376 / EUR 205–328) a month.

The mixed basket, with supermarket shopping, meat, dairy, and some imported goods, runs 6,000–10,000 MZN (≈USD 94–156 / EUR 82–137) a week, or 26,000–42,000 MZN (≈USD 407–657 / EUR 355–574) a month.

Cleaning products, toiletries, and nappies are not in either basket: add 1,500–4,000 MZN (≈USD 23–63 / EUR 20–55) a month in a household with small children.

Bakery in Mozambique

Neighbourhood bakery

Bread, pastries, and breakfast out cost 80–250 MZN; handy for weekly budgeting.

Fuel and running your own car

Maximum petrol and diesel prices are set by ARENE and are the same at every pump in a given zone; there is no cheaper station to hunt for. In 2026 petrol sits at around 93 MZN (≈USD 1.46 / EUR 1.27) a litre and diesel above it, at around 113 MZN (≈USD 1.77 / EUR 1.54).

  • Full tank on a city car (40 litres): 3,700–4,500 MZN (≈USD 58–70 / EUR 51–61), depending on petrol or diesel
  • Typical Maputo commute of 15 km a day: 25–30 litres a month, or 2,300–3,400 MZN (≈USD 36–53 / EUR 31–46)
  • Family use with weekends away, 600 km a month: 5,100–8,500 MZN (≈USD 80–133 / EUR 70–116)
  • 4x4 or pick-up in mixed use, 900 km a month: 8,200–13,500 MZN (≈USD 128–211 / EUR 112–184)
  • Full car wash: 250–600 MZN (≈USD 4–9 / EUR 3–8)
Xima with fish in Mozambique

Neighbourhood stall

Rice or xima with fish or meat at a stall or food truck: the most common informal meal in the city.

Monthly household bills

Most electricity meters are prepaid and topped up by phone, at a bank, or through an agent. Watch your first two months before drawing conclusions: air conditioning and an electric water heater are by far the heaviest items on the bill.

Household help is ordinary practice in Mozambique, in Mozambican and foreign families alike. It calls for a written contract, social security registration, and the sector minimum wage, which is set annually by decree.

  • EDM electricity in a two- or three-bedroom flat without air conditioning: 1,200–2,500 MZN (≈USD 19–39 / EUR 16–34)
  • Electricity with daily air conditioning and an electric water heater: 3,500–7,000 MZN (≈USD 55–110 / EUR 48–96)
  • Mains water: 400–1,200 MZN (≈USD 6–19 / EUR 5–16)
  • 11 kg gas cylinder: 1,600–2,300 MZN (≈USD 25–36 / EUR 22–31), lasting a family six weeks to three months
  • Home fixed internet where fibre exists: 2,500–5,500 MZN (≈USD 39–86 / EUR 34–75)
  • Mobile airtime and data, per person: 500–1,500 MZN (≈USD 8–23 / EUR 7–20)
  • Building fees, refuse collection, and security: 500–3,500 MZN (≈USD 8–55 / EUR 7–48)
  • Full-time household help, registered with social security: 8,000–15,000 MZN (≈USD 125–235 / EUR 109–205)
Maputo municipal market

Municipal market

Fruit, fish, and vegetables at the market cost noticeably less than at the supermarket.

Children - clothing, shoes, and activities

Where you shop changes the price completely: markets and neighbourhood shops sell children's clothes for a fraction of shopping-centre prices, where imported brands match Portuguese or South African levels.

Because children grow, a family of four typically budgets 2,000–5,000 MZN (≈USD 31–78 / EUR 27–68) a month for clothes and shoes across the year, peaking in January when school starts and again in December. Tuition is handled separately, in the Schools and Education guide.

  • Child's t-shirt or shorts: 300–900 MZN (≈USD 5–14 / EUR 4–12)
  • School shoes or trainers: 1,200–3,000 MZN (≈USD 19–47 / EUR 16–41)
  • Complete school uniform: 1,500–4,000 MZN (≈USD 23–63 / EUR 20–55) per set
  • Backpack and stationery at the start of the year: 1,500–4,000 MZN (≈USD 23–63 / EUR 20–55)
  • Swimming, once or twice a week: 1,500–3,500 MZN (≈USD 23–55 / EUR 20–48) a month
  • Neighbourhood football or basketball academy: 800–2,500 MZN (≈USD 13–39 / EUR 11–34) a month
  • Music, dance, or ballet: 2,000–5,000 MZN (≈USD 31–78 / EUR 27–68) a month
  • Adult gym membership: 2,000–5,000 MZN (≈USD 31–78 / EUR 27–68) a month
Bahía shopping centre in Maputo

Family shopping

Clothes, shoes, and school supplies range from neighbourhood shops to shopping centres.

Family leisure

In practice, an urban family with two children spends 2,000–6,000 MZN (≈USD 31–94 / EUR 27–82) a week on leisure if they go out once each weekend and alternate paid outings with free ones.

And plenty needs no ticket: the Marginal and Costa do Sol, Jardim dos Namorados, the beaches at Catembe and Macaneta, open-air concerts, and the food and craft fairs that run in Maputo almost every month.

  • Cinema ticket in Maputo: 350–600 MZN (≈USD 5–9 / EUR 5–8)
  • Cinema outing for a family of four with popcorn and drinks: 2,000–3,500 MZN (≈USD 31–55 / EUR 27–48)
  • Day entry to a pool, beach club, or water park: 250–1,000 MZN (≈USD 4–16 / EUR 3–14) per person
  • Weekend lunch out, family of four: 3,000–7,000 MZN (≈USD 47–110 / EUR 41–96)
  • Pizza or burgers delivered: 1,200–2,500 MZN (≈USD 19–39 / EUR 16–34)
  • Weekend at Macaneta, Bilene, or Ponta do Ouro including lodging and fuel: 10,000–25,000 MZN (≈USD 156–391 / EUR 137–341)
Cinema Scala in Maputo

Cinema and leisure

Cinema, dining out, and family outings are separate budget lines; plan 2,000–5,000 MZN per trip.

Example monthly budgets

Three profiles for comparison, already excluding rent and school fees (those have guides of their own). Use them as a starting point, not a recipe.

  • One person, cooking at home, no car: 18,000–30,000 MZN (≈USD 282–469 / EUR 246–410) a month
  • Couple without children, one city car, eating out once or twice a week: 35,000–60,000 MZN (≈USD 548–939 / EUR 478–819) a month
  • Family of four, one car, household help, activities for two children: 65,000–110,000 MZN (≈USD 1,017–1,721 / EUR 888–1,502) a month
Restaurant in Maputo

City restaurant

A restaurant main course starts around 750 MZN and rises quickly, compared with 150–200 MZN at a stall.

Price update

Figures reviewed in August 2026. Stall prices reflect data collected from local partners in Maputo and Matola.

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