Cost of Living Comparison Between Moshi and ZanzibarCost of Living Comparison Between Moshi and Zanzibar
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $243 per month in Moshi vs $436 in Zanzibar, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $425 per month in Moshi vs $701 in Zanzibar, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $606 per month in Moshi vs $966 in Zanzibar, rent included.
🙂Moshi is about 44% cheaper than Zanzibar, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Moshi and Zanzibar are more affordable than the global median – Moshi82% lower, Zanzibar67% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.08TZS 7,970
$4.71TZS 12.2K
-34.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$22.17TZS 57.4K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.77TZS 14.9K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.24TZS 5,805
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.59TZS 1,539
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.33TZS 863
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.95TZS 5,052
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.68TZS 6,927
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.57TZS 1,465
$1.79TZS 4,634
-68.16%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73TZS 1,897
$0.71TZS 1,851
2.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.36TZS 3,522
$0.82TZS 2,125
65.85%
Eggs
-
$2.98TZS 7,709
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.74TZS 22.6K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.77TZS 9,767
$2.39TZS 6,181
57.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.16TZS 8,174
$4.62TZS 12.0K
-31.60%
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.93TZS 7,594
-
Banana(1kg)
$0.40TZS 1,046
$1.13TZS 2,921
-64.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.54TZS 3,980
$0.75TZS 1,950
105.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.74TZS 1,920
$0.57TZS 1,472
29.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.80TZS 2,079
$0.95TZS 2,463
-15.79%
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.52TZS 3,935
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.75TZS 1,951
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40TZS 1,043
$0.50TZS 1,282
-20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.10TZS 5,433
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$9.85TZS 25.5K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.71TZS 4,430
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.32TZS 3,414
-
🚌 Getting Around
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.40TZS 1,045
$0.64TZS 1,650
-37.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.73TZS 7,075
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23TZS 3,178
$1.16TZS 2,996
6.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$116TZS 299.7K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.85TZS 9,978
$10.43TZS 27.0K
-63.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$23.04TZS 59.7K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$21.69TZS 56.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$9.53TZS 24.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.54TZS 50.6K
$13.55TZS 35.1K
44.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$17.57TZS 45.5K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$15.76TZS 40.8K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$13.29TZS 34.4K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$147TZS 380.7K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$99.7TZS 258.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$198TZS 513.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$190TZS 491.0K
$151TZS 390.2K
25.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$37.7KTZS 97.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$11.4KTZS 29.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Moshi
Zanzibar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$97.9TZS 253.5K
$317TZS 819.9K
-69.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
10
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Moshi: April 27, 2026
Last update for Zanzibar: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 223% higher in Zanzibar, 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 Zanzibar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zanzibar cheaper than Moshi?
Yes – Zanzibar is pricier by about 79%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $365 per month in Moshi and $655 in Zanzibar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Moshi vs Zanzibar?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $243 in Moshi and $436 in Zanzibar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Moshi and Zanzibar?
Groceries cost about 50% more in Zanzibar, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,000 enough for either Moshi or Zanzibar?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $243 in Moshi and $436 in Zanzibar, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Moshi or Zanzibar more family-friendly?
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.
Which city is safer, Moshi or Zanzibar?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Moshi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Zanzibar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.