Casablanca VS Shanghai

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Casablanca
Morocco
22.1
COLI Index
#107
Global Rank
MAD
Currency
Shanghai
China
46.2
COLI Index
#60
Global Rank
CNY
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
22.1
46.2
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$400
$1,100
Total Deductions
29.6%
35.2%
Exchange Rate
1 MAD = 0.6930 CNY
Is Casablanca cheaper than Shanghai?

Yes, Casablanca is 52% cheaper than Shanghai based on our cost of living index. Casablanca has a COLI of 22.1, while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2. 52% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Casablanca vs Shanghai

Overall, Casablanca is approximately 52% cheaper than Shanghai based on our cost of living index. Casablanca has a COLI of 22.1 (ranked #107 of 182 cities), while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2 (ranked #60).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Casablanca averages $400/month compared to $1,100/month in Shanghai. That makes Casablanca approximately 64% cheaper for rent alone.

Casablanca has lower total deductions (29.6%) compared to Shanghai (35.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Casablanca. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Casablanca

Income Tax
23%
CNSS
6.3%
Total: 29.6%Take-Home: MAD 113,337/yr

Shanghai

Income Tax
13%
Five Insurances + Housing Fund
22.5%
Total: 35.2%Take-Home: ¥151,045/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn MAD 728,539 in Casablanca, you would need approximately ¥1,055,481 in Shanghai to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 52% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Casablanca (MAD) Shanghai (CNY)
Doctor (General) MAD 386,417 ¥559,827
Software Engineer MAD 182,475 ¥264,363
Product Manager MAD 214,676 ¥311,015
Lawyer MAD 214,676 ¥311,015
Data Scientist MAD 203,942 ¥295,464
Marketing Manager MAD 154,567 ¥223,931
Teacher MAD 103,045 ¥149,287
Nurse MAD 124,512 ¥180,389

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Casablanca (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Corniche (Ain Diab)1.25x (+25%)
Anfa1.22x (+22%)
Triangle d'Or1.18x (+18%)
Maarif1.15x (+15%)
Gauthier1.12x (+12%)

Shanghai (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Jing'an1.30x (+30%)
Xuhui (French Concession)1.28x (+28%)
Lujiazui (Pudong)1.25x (+25%)
Xintiandi1.25x (+25%)
Huangpu (The Bund)1.22x (+22%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Casablanca or Shanghai more expensive?

Shanghai is more expensive overall. Casablanca has a COLI of 22.1 while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2, making Casablanca approximately 52% cheaper.

What salary in Shanghai equals MAD 728,539 in Casablanca?

To maintain the same standard of living as MAD 728,539 in Casablanca, you would need approximately ¥1,055,481 in Shanghai.

Is rent cheaper in Casablanca or Shanghai?

Average one-bedroom rent in Casablanca is $400/month compared to $1,100/month in Shanghai. Casablanca has lower rent by approximately 64%.

Which city has lower taxes, Casablanca or Shanghai?

Casablanca has lower total deductions (29.6%) compared to Shanghai (35.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Casablanca.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.