Cost of Living Comparison Between Zanzibar and Dodoma Cost of Living Comparison Between Zanzibar and Dodoma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $439 per month in Zanzibar vs $448 in Dodoma, rent included.

A couple spends around $701 per month in Zanzibar vs $642 in Dodoma, rent included.

A family of three spends $962 per month in Zanzibar vs $835 in Dodoma, rent included.

Zanzibar is about 2% cheaper than Dodoma, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Zanzibar and Dodoma are more affordable than the global median – Zanzibar 67% lower, Dodoma 66% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.77 TZS 12.5K

$3.69 TZS 9,670

29.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.31 TZS 58.5K

$19.42 TZS 51.0K

14.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.84 TZS 15.3K

$9.40 TZS 24.7K

-37.87%

Cappuccino

$2.27 TZS 5,963

$1.95 TZS 5,116

16.41%

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

$0.60 TZS 1,587

$0.37 TZS 978

62.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 TZS 880

$0.18 TZS 470

88.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.90 TZS 4,978

$0.82 TZS 2,160

131.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.69 TZS 7,051

$3.34 TZS 8,773

-19.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 TZS 4,452

$0.84 TZS 2,201

102.38%

White Bread (500g)

$0.73 TZS 1,921

$0.81 TZS 2,121

-9.88%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.87 TZS 2,292

$1.03 TZS 2,707

-15.53%

Eggs

$2.87 TZS 7,534

$1.98 TZS 5,187

44.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.74 TZS 15.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.36 TZS 6,194

$7.05 TZS 18.5K

-66.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.76 TZS 12.5K

$3.95 TZS 10.4K

20.51%

Apples (1kg)

$2.94 TZS 7,715

$2.48 TZS 6,504

18.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 TZS 3,116

$0.90 TZS 2,367

32.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.80 TZS 2,101

$0.75 TZS 1,958

6.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 TZS 1,471

$1.52 TZS 4,001

-63.16%

Potato (1kg)

$0.94 TZS 2,475

$1.04 TZS 2,728

-9.62%

Onion (1kg)

$1.50 TZS 3,946

$1.71 TZS 4,480

-12.28%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.79 TZS 2,068

$0.49 TZS 1,294

61.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 TZS 1,311

$0.38 TZS 993

31.58%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.02 TZS 5,289

$1.51 TZS 3,960

33.77%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.65 TZS 25.3K

$3.76 TZS 9,875

156.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 TZS 4,690

$0.86 TZS 2,248

108.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.31 TZS 3,438

$1.29 TZS 3,390

1.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 TZS 1,666

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.77 TZS 7,270

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 TZS 3,036

$1.11 TZS 2,923

4.50%

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

$10.36 TZS 27.2K

$19.44 TZS 51.0K

-46.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.93 TZS 60.2K

$19.14 TZS 50.2K

19.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.02 TZS 55.2K

$57.1 TZS 149.7K

-63.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.52 TZS 19.7K

Cinema Ticket

$9.71 TZS 25.5K

$3.82 TZS 10.0K

154.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.39 TZS 35.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.69 TZS 46.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.19 TZS 39.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$13.73 TZS 36.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$149 TZS 390.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$101 TZS 266.1K

$98.0 TZS 257.2K

3.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$202 TZS 529.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 TZS 392.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$37.5K TZS 98.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.5K TZS 30.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$316 TZS 829.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zanzibar: July 12, 2026

Last update for Dodoma: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $22.00 in Zanzibar versus $19.00 in Dodoma. Groceries tell a different story – $139 in Zanzibar vs $149 in Dodoma – so Zanzibar wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Zanzibar vs Dodoma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Dodoma costs about 2% more than Zanzibar, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $659 per month in Zanzibar and $673 in Dodoma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $439 in Zanzibar and $448 in Dodoma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 7% more in Dodoma, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $439 in Zanzibar and $448 in Dodoma, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Zanzibar – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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