Cost of Living in Mozambique
for Expats 2026

Maputo's expat enclaves (Polana, Malhangalene, Costa do Sol) offer modern 2-bedroom apartments for $250–$450/month furnished; unfurnished units rent for $150–$280/month. Beira and Nampula, secondary cities serving the energy sector, charge 30–40% less. Most expat housing includes security walls, backup generators, and water tanks due to infrastructure variability. Utilities (electricity, water) add $30–$60/month; diesel backup power for load-shedding periods is increasingly standard in city centers.

Local markets stock cassava, beans, maize, fresh fish, and tropical fruits at minimal cost—$10–$20/week for basic groceries. Imported items (cereal, canned goods, wine) attract 120–180% markups due to Mozambique's reliance on regional imports. Eating at local tascas (restaurants) costs $2–$5/meal; international-style restaurants in Maputo charge $8–$15. Mixed expat grocery budgets run $100–$180/month; seafood is exceptionally affordable along the Indian Ocean coast.

Maputo taxis charge $1–$4 for city trips; informal chapa vans cost $0.30–$0.80. Motorcycle taxis (mototaxis) run $0.50–$1.50 for short distances. Fuel averages $1.15–$1.35/liter. Many energy sector expats use company transportation or hire drivers at $250–$400/month. Inter-city travel via Greyhound-style coaches costs $3–$8 for 2–4 hour routes; the Maputo–Gaza–Inhambane coastal corridor is well-serviced.

Public hospitals are limited in quality; expats use private clinics in Maputo (CIMEC, HCB International) charging $50–$100 for consultations and $10–$20 for medications. Dental and optometry services run $30–$70/visit. Expat health insurance costs $100–$250/month; serious medical cases often route to South Africa (Johannesburg). Pharmacies are well-stocked with international medications; malaria prophylaxis and tropical disease awareness are essential for expats in southern Mozambique.