Cost of Living Comparison Between Songea and Mbeya Cost of Living Comparison Between Songea and Mbeya

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.66 TZS 59.5K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.48 TZS 19.6K

Cappuccino

$1.54 TZS 4,050

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

$0.37 TZS 961

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 TZS 1,033

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.72 TZS 1,899

Milk (1 liter)

$0.55 TZS 1,441

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 TZS 2,578

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.97 TZS 2,545

Eggs

$2.22 TZS 5,821

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.70 TZS 9,713

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.74 TZS 9,806

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.49 TZS 9,148

Apples (1kg)

$1.11 TZS 2,924

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 TZS 2,056

Oranges (1kg)

$0.99 TZS 2,610

Tomato (1kg)

$0.74 TZS 1,954

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 TZS 2,439

Onion (1kg)

$0.73 TZS 1,928

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 TZS 1,529

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 TZS 2,048

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.12 TZS 2,943

Wine (Bottle)

$3.82 TZS 10.0K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 TZS 1,908

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 TZS 2,923

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 TZS 957

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.11 TZS 2,906

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 TZS 5,024

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 TZS 7,031

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 TZS 3,111

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

$23.67 TZS 62.1K

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

$18.99 TZS 49.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.78 TZS 117.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.23 TZS 100.3K

Cinema Ticket

$9.65 TZS 25.3K

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

$186 TZS 487.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,137 TZS 3.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.26 TZS 29.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$9.75 TZS 25.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$18.97 TZS 49.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.24 TZS 68.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$112 TZS 294.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$76.4 TZS 200.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$190 TZS 497.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 TZS 299.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$191 TZS 501.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Songea: October 6, 2026

Last update for Mbeya: October 4, 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

Songea vs Mbeya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Songea – 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 Songea. 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.