Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbeya and Moshi Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbeya and Moshi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $424 per month in Mbeya vs $247 in Moshi, rent included.

A couple spends around $649 per month in Mbeya vs $428 in Moshi, rent included.

A family of three spends $873 per month in Mbeya vs $608 in Moshi, rent included.

Mbeya costs about 72% more than Moshi, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Mbeya and Moshi are more affordable than the global median – Mbeya 69% lower, Moshi 82% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.98 TZS 7,826

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.62 TZS 59.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.74 TZS 20.3K

Cappuccino

$1.54 TZS 4,030

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

$0.36 TZS 949

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 TZS 1,032

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.76 TZS 2,004

Milk (1 liter)

$0.59 TZS 1,557

$0.58 TZS 1,528

1.72%

White Bread (500g)

$0.93 TZS 2,440

$0.72 TZS 1,891

29.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.91 TZS 2,397

$1.33 TZS 3,494

-31.58%

Eggs

$2.22 TZS 5,814

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.80 TZS 9,984

$8.43 TZS 22.1K

-54.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.85 TZS 10.1K

$3.73 TZS 9,801

3.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.48 TZS 9,135

$2.95 TZS 7,748

17.97%

Apples (1kg)

$1.14 TZS 2,997

Banana (1kg)

$0.72 TZS 1,893

$0.39 TZS 1,026

84.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.90 TZS 2,353

$1.49 TZS 3,920

-39.60%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 TZS 1,994

$0.72 TZS 1,890

5.56%

Potato (1kg)

$0.91 TZS 2,393

$0.76 TZS 2,002

19.74%

Onion (1kg)

$0.72 TZS 1,902

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.55 TZS 1,441

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 TZS 2,008

$0.36 TZS 949

113.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.12 TZS 2,932

Wine (Bottle)

$3.69 TZS 9,677

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 TZS 1,903

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 TZS 3,000

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.39 TZS 1,033

$0.73 TZS 1,906

-46.58%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.15 TZS 3,006

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 TZS 5,019

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.57 TZS 6,733

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 TZS 3,229

$1.19 TZS 3,131

3.36%

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

$23.79 TZS 62.4K

$115 TZS 301.4K

-79.29%

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

$18.75 TZS 49.2K

$3.88 TZS 10.2K

383.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.31 TZS 118.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.23 TZS 100.3K

Cinema Ticket

$9.23 TZS 24.2K

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

$190 TZS 498.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,116 TZS 2.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.28 TZS 29.6K

$18.91 TZS 49.6K

-40.35%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$9.57 TZS 25.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$18.60 TZS 48.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.89 TZS 67.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$112 TZS 293.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$74.1 TZS 194.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$188 TZS 492.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$115 TZS 301.3K

$186 TZS 487.9K

-38.24%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$190 TZS 499.5K

$94.6 TZS 248.1K

101.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mbeya: August 17, 2026

Last update for Moshi: August 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 101% higher in Mbeya, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Mbeya vs Moshi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Mbeya is pricier by about 72%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $637 per month in Mbeya and $371 in Moshi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $424 in Mbeya and $247 in Moshi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 28% more in Mbeya, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $424 in Mbeya and $247 in Moshi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

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

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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