Cost of Living Comparison Between Tanzania and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Tanzania and United States

Name: United States
Address: US

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $239 per month in Tanzania vs $2,642 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $377 per month in Tanzania vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $515 per month in Tanzania vs $5,072 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Tanzania is roughly 91% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Tanzania sits 82% below the global median, while United States is 98% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.79 TZS 7,321

$19.63 $19.63

-85.79%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.26 TZS 50.5K

$75.4 $75.4

-74.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 TZS 20.5K

$11.57 $11.57

-32.41%

Cappuccino

$1.89 TZS 4,964

$5.22 $5.22

-63.79%

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

$0.37 TZS 984

$2.49 $2.49

-85.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.23 TZS 599

$2.06 $2.06

-88.83%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.17 TZS 3,066

$5.91 $5.91

-80.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 TZS 5,113

$7.13 $7.13

-72.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.95 TZS 2,499

$1.09 $1.09

-12.84%

White Bread (500g)

$0.77 TZS 2,017

$3.56 $3.56

-78.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 TZS 2,649

$4.74 $4.74

-78.69%

Eggs

$2.03 TZS 5,337

$4.34 $4.34

-53.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.14 TZS 24.0K

$12.68 $12.68

-27.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.21 TZS 13.7K

$12.28 $12.28

-57.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.12 TZS 10.8K

$16.60 $16.60

-75.18%

Apples (1kg)

$2.35 TZS 6,177

$5.16 $5.16

-54.46%

Banana (1kg)

$0.88 TZS 2,320

$1.70 $1.70

-48.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 TZS 2,674

$4.45 $4.45

-77.08%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.94 TZS 2,472

$4.80 $4.80

-80.42%

Potato (1kg)

$0.92 TZS 2,420

$2.93 $2.93

-68.60%

Onion (1kg)

$1.38 TZS 3,632

$3.09 $3.09

-55.34%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 TZS 1,737

$2.22 $2.22

-70.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 TZS 1,196

$2.25 $2.25

-79.56%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.99 TZS 5,215

$9.90 $9.90

-79.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.60 TZS 14.7K

$15.28 $15.28

-63.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96 TZS 2,523

$1.91 $1.91

-49.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.50 TZS 3,947

$3.58 $3.58

-58.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 TZS 708

$2.46 $2.46

-89.02%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.70 TZS 46.5K

$64.6 $64.6

-72.62%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 TZS 3,768

$3.77 $3.77

-61.80%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 TZS 4,105

$1.71 $1.71

-8.77%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.55 TZS 35.6K

$30.08 $30.08

-54.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 TZS 3,096

$0.96 $0.96

22.92%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.3K TZS 45.4M

$29.9K $29.9K

-42.10%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$15.7K TZS 41.2M

$26.1K $26.1K

-39.90%

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

$65.6 TZS 172.0K

$210 $210

-68.79%

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

$10.99 TZS 28.8K

$56.3 $56.3

-80.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.41 TZS 98.2K

$72.9 $72.9

-48.65%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.7 TZS 159.3K

$45.39 $45.39

33.77%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.25 TZS 16.4K

$21.60 $21.60

-71.06%

Cinema Ticket

$4.76 TZS 12.5K

$14.04 $14.04

-66.10%

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

$287 TZS 752.2K

$1,377 $1,377

-79.19%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,081 TZS 23.8M

$22.4K $22.4K

-59.39%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.70 TZS 43.8K

$52.7 $52.7

-68.32%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.04 TZS 63.1K

$42.41 $42.41

-43.32%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$30.33 TZS 79.6K

$91.8 $91.8

-66.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.7 TZS 138.3K

$114 $114

-53.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$396 TZS 1.0M

$1,765 $1,765

-77.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$171 TZS 448.0K

$1,462 $1,462

-88.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$758 TZS 2.0M

$2,849 $2,849

-73.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$358 TZS 938.9K

$2,369 $2,369

-84.90%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,523 TZS 4.0M

$3,364 $3,364

-54.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,135 TZS 3.0M

$2,665 $2,665

-57.42%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$243 TZS 638.9K

$4,378 $4,378

-94.44%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.6

6.51

124.27%

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

Last update for Tanzania: July 12, 2026

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average salary: $232 in Tanzania vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 2415% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 711% more in United States.

Public transport is 733% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1840% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

Tanzania vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Tanzania is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 646% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Tanzania, contributing to the overall 646% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Tanzania, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Tanzania is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.