Cost of Living in Arusha - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $201 per month with rent, or $202 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $358 per month with rent, or $371 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $514 per month with rent, or $541 without housing.

Overall, Arusha is 82–85% below the global median across household types. Within Africa, costs are well below average (80% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40 TZS 8,767
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.94 TZS 72.1K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.09 TZS 23.4K
-
Cappuccino
$1.70 TZS 4,382
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 TZS 1,113
$0.18 TZS 470
$0.88 TZS 2,276
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 TZS 799
$0.18 TZS 474
$0.55 TZS 1,423
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.08 TZS 2,790
$0.99 TZS 2,553
$1.17 TZS 3,026
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 TZS 7,677
$1.39 TZS 3,574
$3.54 TZS 9,133
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.63 TZS 1,634
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.60 TZS 1,554
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.91 TZS 2,336
-
Eggs
$1.70 TZS 4,384
$1.58 TZS 4,081
$1.82 TZS 4,686
Tomato (1kg)
$0.79 TZS 2,027
-
Potato (1kg)
$0.41 TZS 1,048
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.00 TZS 2,571
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 TZS 1,212
$0.38 TZS 985
$0.57 TZS 1,464
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.19 TZS 497
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.94 TZS 4,992
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.50 TZS 19.3K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23 TZS 3,184
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42 TZS 24.3K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.3 TZS 129.7K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$3.97 TZS 10.2K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.4K TZS 26.9M
$7,351 TZS 19.0M
$13.5K TZS 34.9M
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$294 TZS 759.3K
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $36.00 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $28.00 – well below the African average of $42.00.

Cost Highlights

Fast food meal is more expensive than 94% of cities in Africa

Overall monthly cost (including rent) is cheaper than 92% of cities in Africa

Family monthly cost (including rent) is cheaper than 91% of cities in Africa

Arusha Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Arusha - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Arusha overall, and who tends to find value here compared with other destinations?
Overall, Arusha offers a compelling balance of value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want city life without the price tag of larger hubs. You will discover affordable everyday meals, accessible markets, and reasonably priced services, especially if you opt for local options over imported or tourist-oriented setups. The Cost of Living in Arusha tends to feel lower when you cook at home, shop at neighborhood markets, and choose neighbourhoods a short ride from the center. It’s easy to scale your budget up or down by adjusting housing and transport. Tip: start with a month-by-month plan that prioritizes essential expenses and flexibility.
What’s day-to-day life like in Arusha: housing search, food options, transport, co-working, errands?
Day-to-day life is approachable for many visitors who plan stays from a few weeks to several months. For housing, you will find a mix of basic apartments and quieter houses in districts like Sekei or Njiro, with rents that reflect location and amenities. Arusha living cost can stay friendly if you shop at local markets, cook at home, and prioritize longer leases. Food options range from vibrant street stalls to mid-range supermarkets, with seasonal produce widely available. Transport runs on shared minibuses, easy taxi apps, and bicycles in calmer areas; errands are manageable, and co-working spaces anchor remote work. Tip: map a reliable route network first.
What’s the best approach to budgeting, seasonality, and choosing a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle here?
Budgeting for Arusha comes easiest when you separate needs from discretionary spends and track small daily costs. A simple framework is to allot housing, food, transport, utilities, and leisure, with a buffer for occasional trips to nearby parks or safaris. Seasonality matters: the dry season can attract more visitors and push some service prices up, while the rainy months ease crowds but affect outdoor plans. To find a neighborhood that fits, consider proximity to work or social spots, safety, and access to markets. Start with a few weeks in different areas to feel walking routes, noise, and pace. Tip: build a flexible plan that can adapt to changing plans.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Arusha?
All in, Arusha runs about $201 monthly with rent, or $202 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
Is Arusha one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Arusha is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $201, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Arusha?
You'll want at least $302 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Arusha. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Arusha?
Food in Arusha is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $36.00 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Arusha?
Groceries in Arusha are cheap – a single person spends about $36.00 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Arusha?
$1,200 a month in Arusha? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $201, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What are the pros and cons of living in Arusha?
Quality of life in Arusha is genuinely good – highlights include vibrant nightlife, clean air, expat-friendly services, and monthly costs hover around $201. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.
Is Arusha budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Arusha is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $201 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
How much does a backpacker need per day in Arusha?
Arusha is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $201 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.

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