Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Moshi and Mbeya

For one person, living is cheaper in Moshi: $247 a month against $427 in Mbeya, rent and utilities included – about $2,200 less a year. The total is higher in Mbeya despite lower rent and utilities.

20

Cost of Living Index in Mbeya
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Mbeya Living Index

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Moshi

🇹🇿 Tanzania

$247

/mo nomad

Mbeya

🇹🇿 Tanzania

$427

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Moshi and in Mbeya

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Moshi and in Mbeya actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $247 per month in Moshi vs $427 in Mbeya, rent included.

Moshi $247
Mbeya $427

A couple spends around $427 per month in Moshi vs $658 in Mbeya, rent included.

Moshi $427
Mbeya $658

A family of three spends $607 per month in Moshi vs $890 in Mbeya, rent included.

Moshi $607
Mbeya $890

Moshi is about 42% cheaper than Mbeya, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Moshi and Mbeya are more affordable than the global median – Moshi 82% lower, Mbeya 68% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.96 TZS 7,795

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.85 TZS 60.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.42 TZS 19.5K

Cappuccino

$1.48 TZS 3,906

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

$0.37 TZS 968

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 TZS 966

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.78 TZS 2,066

Milk (1 liter)

$0.56 TZS 1,473

$0.56 TZS 1,469

White Bread (500g)

$0.78 TZS 2,049

$0.98 TZS 2,572

-20.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.28 TZS 3,385

$0.99 TZS 2,616

29.29%

Eggs

$2.31 TZS 6,089

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.45 TZS 22.3K

$3.70 TZS 9,750

128.38%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.89 TZS 10.2K

$3.74 TZS 9,848

4.01%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.09 TZS 8,136

$3.35 TZS 8,823

-7.76%

Apples (1kg)

$1.15 TZS 3,025

Banana (1kg)

$0.40 TZS 1,042

$0.80 TZS 2,097

-50.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 TZS 3,877

$0.93 TZS 2,442

58.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.80 TZS 2,101

$0.78 TZS 2,044

2.56%

Potato (1kg)

$0.74 TZS 1,949

$0.92 TZS 2,433

-19.57%

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 TZS 1,923

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.55 TZS 1,442

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 TZS 1,043

$0.75 TZS 1,964

-46.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.16 TZS 3,048

Wine (Bottle)

$3.86 TZS 10.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 TZS 1,944

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.16 TZS 3,050

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.80 TZS 2,102

$0.40 TZS 1,048

100.00%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.14 TZS 3,014

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 TZS 5,060

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 TZS 7,044

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 TZS 3,130

$1.24 TZS 3,264

-4.03%

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

$116 TZS 304.5K

$24.47 TZS 64.5K

372.21%

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

$3.88 TZS 10.2K

$18.87 TZS 49.7K

-79.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.59 TZS 120.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.67 TZS 99.3K

Cinema Ticket

$9.61 TZS 25.3K

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

$186 TZS 489.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,135 TZS 3.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.84 TZS 49.6K

$11.24 TZS 29.6K

67.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$9.37 TZS 24.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$19.00 TZS 50.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.58 TZS 70.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$113 TZS 297.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$76.6 TZS 201.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$189 TZS 497.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$189 TZS 498.2K

$112 TZS 296.4K

68.12%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$94.0 TZS 247.6K

$191 TZS 503.3K

-50.80%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Moshi: November 2, 2026

Last update for Mbeya: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Groceries & Markets

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$116 27.1%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$89 20.8%

Accommodation & Living

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$77 17.9%

Sport & Entertainment

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$57 13.3%

Eating Out

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$47 * 11%

Clothing & Footwear

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$30 7%

Getting Around

Moshi

–

Mbeya

$12 * 2.9%

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Salaries in Mbeya are about 2 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know

🇹🇿 Moshi

🇹🇿 Mbeya

🕒 Local time

20:35 8:35 PM

Same time as Moshi

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

221,733

541,603

💱 Currency

Tanzanian Shilling TZS Sh

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 TZS = 3.8 USD

10,000 TZS = 3.38 EUR

10,000 TZS = 3.8 USD

10,000 TZS = 3.38 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Moshi Mbeya 750 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Moshi
Mbeya

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 73%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in utilities.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $370 per month in Moshi and $640 in Mbeya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $247 in Moshi and $427 in Mbeya. That makes Moshi about 42% cheaper.

Groceries cost about 26% more in Mbeya, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $247 in Moshi and $427 in Mbeya, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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