Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbeya and Mtwara Cost of Living Comparison Between Mbeya and Mtwara

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.25 TZS 60.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.69 TZS 19.9K

Cappuccino

$1.51 TZS 3,916

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

$0.41 TZS 1,049

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 TZS 967

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.79 TZS 2,038

Milk (1 liter)

$0.56 TZS 1,448

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 TZS 2,549

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 TZS 2,615

Eggs

$2.28 TZS 5,899

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.85 TZS 9,978

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.89 TZS 10.1K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.49 TZS 9,035

Apples (1kg)

$1.18 TZS 3,067

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 TZS 2,024

Oranges (1kg)

$0.92 TZS 2,391

Tomato (1kg)

$0.75 TZS 1,949

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 TZS 2,403

Onion (1kg)

$0.80 TZS 2,079

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.61 TZS 1,571

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 TZS 1,959

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.15 TZS 2,968

Wine (Bottle)

$3.86 TZS 9,985

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.75 TZS 1,940

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 TZS 3,032

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.40 TZS 1,039

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.19 TZS 3,086

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.68 TZS 4,343

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.73 TZS 7,069

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 TZS 3,160

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

$24.66 TZS 63.8K

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

$19.01 TZS 49.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.40 TZS 120.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.36 TZS 99.3K

Cinema Ticket

$9.73 TZS 25.2K

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

$191 TZS 494.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,144 TZS 3.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.56 TZS 29.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$9.94 TZS 25.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.48 TZS 50.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$27.26 TZS 70.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$114 TZS 294.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$77.0 TZS 199.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$191 TZS 494.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$118 TZS 304.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$192 TZS 498.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Mbeya: April 25, 2026

Last update for Mtwara: April 28, 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

Mbeya vs Mtwara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Mtwara – 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 Mtwara. 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.