Moving to Zimbabwe from United States

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from United States to Zimbabwe? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from United States to Zimbabwe. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Harare averages 78°F vs 66°F in Washington, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zimbabwe compared to United States.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

US
6.4
ZW
6.7
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

US
14.2
ZW
29.9

United States performs better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

US
$13,473
ZW
$63
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

US
36.1
ZW
1.7

United States generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

US
14.0
ZW
56.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

US
13.6t
ZW
0.8t

United States generally does better on environment, though Zimbabwe leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

US
37.8
ZW
1.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

US
28.2%
ZW
46.1%

United States performs better than Zimbabwe across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

US
3.6%
ZW
8.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

US
$73,600
ZW
$3,500

United States performs better than Zimbabwe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

US
80.6 yrs
ZW
63.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

US
5.2
ZW
28.5

United States performs better than Zimbabwe across all family life metrics.

Data: Internal Revenue Service, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Washington Rain: 41.5 in/yr (1055 mm)
66° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Harare Rain: 33.1 in/yr (841 mm)
78° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Washington Harare
Jan–Mar 48°/28°F (9°/-2°C) 79°/59°F (26°/15°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/51°F (24°/11°C) 75°/49°F (24°/10°C)
Jul–Sep 85°/62°F (29°/17°C) 76°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Oct–Dec 57°/35°F (14°/2°C) 82°/59°F (28°/15°C)
View all months
Month Washington Harare
Jan 42°/24°F (5.8°/-4.5°C) 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C)
Feb 46°/26°F (8.0°/-3.3°C) 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C)
Mar 56°/33°F (13.1°/0.5°C) 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C)
Apr 67°/42°F (19.3°/5.6°C) 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C)
May 75°/51°F (23.9°/10.7°C) 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C)
Jun 84°/61°F (28.8°/16.1°C) 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C)
Jul 88°/65°F (31.1°/18.6°C) 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C)
Aug 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.9°C) 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C)
Sep 79°/56°F (26.3°/13.5°C) 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C)
Oct 68°/44°F (20.1°/6.6°C) 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C)
Nov 58°/35°F (14.2°/1.8°C) 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C)
Dec 46°/27°F (7.8°/-2.7°C) 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C)

Data: National Weather Service National Weather Service, Meteorological Services Department Meteorological Services Department

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Zimbabwe. To live, work, or study long-term in Zimbabwe, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Zimbabwe's immigration authority.

United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

Visa on Arrival
United States passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe passport

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Zimbabwe passport holders need a visa to enter United States.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zimbabwe?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zimbabwe: 1.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zimbabwe offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zimbabwe safe for expats?

United States performs better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zimbabwe is 6.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.4 in United States.

How is healthcare in Zimbabwe compared to United States?

United States generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Zimbabwe, compared to 36.1 in United States. Zimbabwe scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United States: 86).

What's the weather like in Zimbabwe compared to United States?

The average high temperature in Harare is 78°F, compared to 66°F in Washington. Harare receives around 33.1 in of rainfall per year, while Washington gets 41.5 in.

What language do they speak in Zimbabwe?

The official languages in Zimbabwe are Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language. In United States, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

US ZW
Population 337,341,954 15,121,004
Currency United States Dollar ($) Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL)
Languages English Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +263
Time zones 11 1
Emergency number 911 999