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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $248 per month in Moshi vs $442 in Mbeya, rent included.

A couple spends around $429 per month in Moshi vs $669 in Mbeya, rent included.

A family of three spends $609 per month in Moshi vs $896 in Mbeya, rent included.

Moshi is about 44% cheaper than Mbeya, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Moshi and Mbeya are more affordable than the global median – Moshi 82% lower, Mbeya 67% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.05 TZS 7,948

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.36 TZS 61.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.57 TZS 19.8K

Cappuccino

$1.51 TZS 3,932

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

$0.40 TZS 1,048

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 TZS 967

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.79 TZS 2,069

Milk (1 liter)

$0.56 TZS 1,454

$0.61 TZS 1,583

-8.20%

White Bread (500g)

$0.75 TZS 1,962

$0.98 TZS 2,558

-23.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 TZS 3,436

$0.96 TZS 2,495

37.50%

Eggs

$2.35 TZS 6,124

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.72 TZS 22.7K

$3.90 TZS 10.2K

123.59%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.81 TZS 9,943

$3.90 TZS 10.2K

-2.31%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.07 TZS 8,002

$3.40 TZS 8,865

-9.71%

Apples (1kg)

$1.17 TZS 3,065

Banana (1kg)

$0.40 TZS 1,055

$0.78 TZS 2,047

-48.72%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.58 TZS 4,133

$0.95 TZS 2,473

66.32%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.75 TZS 1,967

$0.78 TZS 2,037

-3.85%

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 TZS 2,042

$0.99 TZS 2,577

-21.21%

Onion (1kg)

$0.79 TZS 2,057

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.60 TZS 1,577

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 TZS 1,045

$0.79 TZS 2,056

-49.37%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.14 TZS 2,976

Wine (Bottle)

$3.90 TZS 10.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.80 TZS 2,079

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.18 TZS 3,070

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.40 TZS 1,056

$0.37 TZS 969

8.11%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 TZS 3,057

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.75 TZS 4,557

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.74 TZS 7,159

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 TZS 3,268

$1.23 TZS 3,206

1.63%

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

$118 TZS 307.8K

$24.77 TZS 64.6K

376.30%

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

$3.92 TZS 10.2K

$19.24 TZS 50.2K

-79.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.54 TZS 121.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.53 TZS 100.5K

Cinema Ticket

$9.90 TZS 25.8K

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

$197 TZS 513.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,173 TZS 3.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.35 TZS 50.5K

$11.64 TZS 30.4K

66.24%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$9.77 TZS 25.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.01 TZS 49.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.90 TZS 70.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$118 TZS 308.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$78.4 TZS 204.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$194 TZS 505.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$196 TZS 511.7K

$118 TZS 308.3K

65.96%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$95.5 TZS 249.2K

$192 TZS 500.9K

-50.26%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Moshi: June 7, 2026

Last update for Mbeya: June 6, 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

Moshi vs Mbeya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Mbeya is pricier by about 78%, 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 $372 per month in Moshi and $662 in Mbeya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $248 in Moshi and $442 in Mbeya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 29% 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 $248 in Moshi and $442 in Mbeya, 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.