Cost of Living Comparison Between Dar es Salaam and Tanga Cost of Living Comparison Between Dar es Salaam and Tanga

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $707 per month in Dar es Salaam vs $39.13 in Tanga, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,107 per month in Dar es Salaam vs $57.0 in Tanga, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,508 per month in Dar es Salaam vs $74.7 in Tanga, rent included.

Dar es Salaam costs about 1706% more than Tanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Dar es Salaam and Tanga are more affordable than the global median – Dar es Salaam 48% lower, Tanga 97% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.93 TZS 5,071

$1.47 TZS 3,855

31.29%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.23 TZS 50.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.41 TZS 22.1K

$3.42 TZS 8,965

145.91%

Cappuccino

$1.96 TZS 5,134

$0.58 TZS 1,528

237.93%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 TZS 950

$0.29 TZS 751

24.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.21 TZS 549

$0.40 TZS 1,044

-47.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.90 TZS 2,357

$0.92 TZS 2,420

-2.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 TZS 5,024

$1.15 TZS 3,018

66.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.84 TZS 2,192

White Bread (500g)

$0.60 TZS 1,582

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.05 TZS 2,762

Eggs

$1.91 TZS 5,006

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.32 TZS 24.5K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.59 TZS 12.0K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.80 TZS 9,982

Apples (1kg)

$2.54 TZS 6,675

Banana (1kg)

$1.01 TZS 2,650

Oranges (1kg)

$1.00 TZS 2,631

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 TZS 2,710

Potato (1kg)

$0.87 TZS 2,271

Onion (1kg)

$1.05 TZS 2,757

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.86 TZS 2,259

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 TZS 998

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.19 TZS 5,757

Wine (Bottle)

$6.66 TZS 17.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 TZS 2,340

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 TZS 4,088

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 TZS 683

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$14.83 TZS 38.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.69 TZS 4,424

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 TZS 4,026

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.30 TZS 34.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 TZS 3,411

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$16.7K TZS 43.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K TZS 69.4M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$56.3 TZS 147.6K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.99 TZS 23.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.32 TZS 90.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.7 TZS 211.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.16 TZS 21.4K

Cinema Ticket

$5.16 TZS 13.6K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$560 TZS 1.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.1K TZS 34.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.37 TZS 37.7K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.55 TZS 69.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.64 TZS 117.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.2 TZS 171.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$590 TZS 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$201 TZS 527.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,337 TZS 3.5M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$445 TZS 1.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,551 TZS 4.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,067 TZS 2.8M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$279 TZS 731.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.25

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

Last update for Dar es Salaam: August 18, 2026

Last update for Tanga: August 16, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Dar es Salaam vs Tanga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Dar es Salaam is pricier by about 1706%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,060 per month in Dar es Salaam and $58.7 in Tanga. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Tanga, where all-in costs run around $39.13, than in Dar es Salaam at $707. In Tanga it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dar es Salaam it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Tanga – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Tanga. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dar es Salaam makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.