Morocco vs South Africa

Morocco
Africa
Capital Rabat · 36M people · Dirham
South Africa
Africa
Capital Pretoria · 58M people · Rand
Cost of living
Morocco
$388/mo
Safety
Morocco
1.5/5
Getting around
Morocco
0.3/5
Culture
South Africa
0.6/5
Passport reach
South Africa
not scored
Airports
South Africa
13M passengers/yr
Climate
Depends on you
not scored
Overall
Morocco edges it, 3–2.
Across 5 scored factors, each counted once — we don't weight them for you. Healthcare, visas and tax aren't included.

Cost of living

monthly median · solo budget

Morocco is cheaper
$906/mo
Minimalist $675 · Comfort $1,585
ranks #7 of 95 worldwide
$1,294/mo
Minimalist $969 · Comfort $2,082
ranks #39 of 95 worldwide

Cost in the three biggest cities

Morocco is cheaper than South Africa — $906/mo vs $1,294/mo.

Morocco is cheaper than 5 of 7 African countries; South Africa is pricier than 4 of 7 African countries.

Safety

safety index

Morocco is safer

Morocco

2.3/5
Use caution

South Africa

0.8/5
Use caution
Street safety3.3/51.8/5+1.5
Property safety2.3/51.0/5+1.3
Road safety1.3/51.0/5+0.3
Earthquake safety2.7/53.6/5+0.9
Wildfire safety3.7/51.9/5+1.8
Flood safety2.9/52.6/5+0.3

Morocco is safer than South Africa — 2.3/5 vs 0.8/5.

Morocco is safer than 5 of 7 African countries; South Africa is less safe than 5 of 7 African countries.

Getting around

transit & transport systems

Morocco scores higher

Morocco

2.4/5
Plan around it

South Africa

2.1/5
Plan around it
Walkability2.4/51.5/5+0.9
Transit2.9/52.0/5+0.9
Cycling1.0/51.1/5+0.1
Airport access3.3/53.0/5+0.3

Morocco scores higher on mobility than South Africa — 2.4/5 vs 2.1/5.

Morocco is easier to get around than 5 of 7 African countries; South Africa is easier to get around than 4 of 7 African countries.

Culture

cultural depth

South Africa scores higher

Morocco

2.9/5
City-dependent

South Africa

3.5/5
Strong scene

South Africa scores higher on culture than Morocco — 3.5/5 vs 2.9/5.

Morocco is lighter on culture than 4 of 7 African countries; South Africa is richer in culture than 5 of 7 African countries.

Passport reach

what the passport opens

South Africa reaches more
Visa-free destinations4465+21
GDP reach10%15%+5%
Heritage sites reachable271371+100

Morocco's passport reaches 44 destinations visa-free to South Africa's 65 — South Africa opens more doors without a visa.

Passport strength shifts over years of naturalisation, not months of planning, so it's a long-horizon footnote — not scored in the tally.

Airports

international connectivity

South Africa is better connected

Flight connectivity in the biggest cities

MarrakeshRAK6.9M10MCape TownCPT
RabatRBA1.2M4.8MDurbanDUR
Major airports75+2
Annual passengers25M38M+13M

South Africa is better connected than Morocco — 38M passengers/yr vs 25M passengers/yr.

Morocco is quieter than 44 of 87 countries worldwide; South Africa is busier than 50 of 87 countries worldwide. Morocco sees ~69 air passengers per 100 residents a year; South Africa sees ~65 air passengers per 100 residents a year — a derived figure, not itself ranked.

Climate

where most people live · °C

Depends on you
Morocco1°C to 38°C

Extremes — coldest Midelt -9°C

South Africa-2°C to 33°C
-15°0°20°30°45°

Morocco runs 1°C to 38°C for most people; South Africa runs -2°C to 33°C for most people.

Midelt runs colder, at -9°C. Depends on you — which range fits your tolerance is the real question here, not a score.

Morocco vs South Africa: frequently asked

▶Should I move to Morocco or South Africa?
Morocco edges it, 3–2. Across 5 scored factors, each counted once — we don't weight them for you. Healthcare, visas and tax aren't included.
▶Is Morocco or South Africa cheaper?
Morocco is cheaper than South Africa — $906/mo vs $1,294/mo. Morocco is cheaper than 5 of 7 African countries; South Africa is pricier than 4 of 7 African countries.
▶Is Morocco or South Africa safer?
Morocco is safer than South Africa — 2.3/5 vs 0.8/5. Morocco is safer than 5 of 7 African countries; South Africa is less safe than 5 of 7 African countries.
▶Is it easier to get around in Morocco or South Africa?
Morocco scores higher on mobility than South Africa — 2.4/5 vs 2.1/5. Morocco is easier to get around than 5 of 7 African countries; South Africa is easier to get around than 4 of 7 African countries.
▶Does Morocco or South Africa have a richer culture?
South Africa scores higher on culture than Morocco — 3.5/5 vs 2.9/5. Morocco is lighter on culture than 4 of 7 African countries; South Africa is richer in culture than 5 of 7 African countries.
▶Which has better flight connections, Morocco or South Africa?
South Africa is better connected than Morocco — 38M passengers/yr vs 25M passengers/yr. Morocco is quieter than 44 of 87 countries worldwide; South Africa is busier than 50 of 87 countries worldwide. Morocco sees ~69 air passengers per 100 residents a year; South Africa sees ~65 air passengers per 100 residents a year — a derived figure, not itself ranked.
▶Which passport is stronger, Morocco or South Africa?
Morocco's passport reaches 44 destinations visa-free to South Africa's 65 — South Africa opens more doors without a visa. Passport strength shifts over years of naturalisation, not months of planning, so it's a long-horizon footnote — not scored in the tally.
▶What is the climate like in Morocco versus South Africa?
Morocco runs 1°C to 38°C for most people; South Africa runs -2°C to 33°C for most people. Midelt runs colder, at -9°C. Depends on you — which range fits your tolerance is the real question here, not a score.