Cost of Living Comparison Between Tanga and Zanzibar Cost of Living Comparison Between Tanga and Zanzibar

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $41 in Tanga versus $448 in Zanzibar.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $59 in Tanga versus $705 in Zanzibar.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $77 in Tanga versus $962 in Zanzibar.

Living in Tanga costs roughly 91% less than in Zanzibar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Tanga 97% lower, Zanzibar 67% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.53 TZS 3,990

$4.86 TZS 12.7K

-68.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.25 TZS 58.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.58 TZS 9,344

$5.69 TZS 14.8K

-37.08%

Cappuccino

$0.59 TZS 1,552

$2.26 TZS 5,884

-73.89%

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

$0.32 TZS 846

$0.63 TZS 1,650

-49.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 TZS 969

$0.33 TZS 866

12.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.00 TZS 2,616

$1.89 TZS 4,931

-47.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.14 TZS 2,980

$2.69 TZS 7,004

-57.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 TZS 4,465

White Bread (500g)

$0.76 TZS 1,991

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.80 TZS 2,087

Eggs

$2.95 TZS 7,707

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.34 TZS 6,107

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.77 TZS 12.5K

Apples (1kg)

$2.82 TZS 7,347

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 TZS 2,990

Oranges (1kg)

$0.76 TZS 1,974

Tomato (1kg)

$0.60 TZS 1,575

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 TZS 2,439

Onion (1kg)

$1.53 TZS 3,988

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 TZS 1,981

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 TZS 1,292

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.10 TZS 5,480

Wine (Bottle)

$9.56 TZS 24.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 TZS 4,440

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.36 TZS 3,555

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.65 TZS 1,694

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.75 TZS 7,168

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 TZS 3,061

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

$10.45 TZS 27.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.99 TZS 60.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.07 TZS 55.0K

Cinema Ticket

$9.81 TZS 25.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.10 TZS 34.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.46 TZS 45.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.74 TZS 41.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$13.76 TZS 35.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$148 TZS 385.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.8 TZS 257.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$202 TZS 527.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 TZS 394.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$38.9K TZS 101.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.7K TZS 30.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$324 TZS 844.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Tanga: April 20, 2026

Last update for Zanzibar: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $0 in Tanga and $148 in Zanzibar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $0 in Tanga vs $22 in Zanzibar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $0 vs $138 per month, with Tanga cheaper across the board.

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

Tanga vs Zanzibar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tanga is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 1006% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $60.8 in Tanga and $672 in Zanzibar to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Tanga gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Tanga gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1006% less than in Zanzibar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.