Cost of Living Comparison Between Zanzibar and Moshi Cost of Living Comparison Between Zanzibar and Moshi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $449 per month in Zanzibar vs $248 in Moshi, rent included.

A couple spends around $701 per month in Zanzibar vs $427 in Moshi, rent included.

A family of three spends $953 per month in Zanzibar vs $606 in Moshi, rent included.

Zanzibar costs about 81% more than Moshi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Zanzibar and Moshi are more affordable than the global median – Zanzibar 66% lower, Moshi 81% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.94 TZS 12.8K

$3.03 TZS 7,868

63.04%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.84 TZS 56.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 TZS 14.7K

Cappuccino

$2.18 TZS 5,672

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

$0.64 TZS 1,653

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 TZS 798

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.91 TZS 4,967

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.77 TZS 7,206

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 TZS 4,594

$0.59 TZS 1,538

200.00%

White Bread (500g)

$0.78 TZS 2,035

$0.75 TZS 1,940

4.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.88 TZS 2,282

$1.37 TZS 3,569

-35.77%

Eggs

$2.89 TZS 7,514

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.37 TZS 21.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.35 TZS 6,109

$3.78 TZS 9,825

-37.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.58 TZS 11.9K

$3.15 TZS 8,196

45.40%

Apples (1kg)

$2.82 TZS 7,316

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 TZS 3,094

$0.40 TZS 1,043

197.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.75 TZS 1,958

$1.56 TZS 4,060

-51.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 TZS 1,447

$0.79 TZS 2,057

-29.11%

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 TZS 2,412

$0.78 TZS 2,040

19.23%

Onion (1kg)

$1.57 TZS 4,071

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.80 TZS 2,078

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 TZS 1,190

$0.41 TZS 1,061

12.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.07 TZS 5,375

Wine (Bottle)

$9.71 TZS 25.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 TZS 4,496

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 TZS 3,452

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 TZS 1,642

$0.37 TZS 966

70.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.70 TZS 7,006

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 TZS 3,138

$1.23 TZS 3,185

-1.63%

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

$117 TZS 303.3K

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

$10.42 TZS 27.1K

$3.96 TZS 10.3K

163.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.13 TZS 60.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.14 TZS 55.0K

Cinema Ticket

$9.68 TZS 25.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.57 TZS 35.3K

$19.70 TZS 51.2K

-31.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.14 TZS 44.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.17 TZS 39.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$13.58 TZS 35.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 TZS 388.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$102 TZS 264.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$197 TZS 513.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 TZS 392.7K

$192 TZS 499.4K

-21.37%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$37.6K TZS 97.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.6K TZS 30.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$322 TZS 836.5K

$95.3 TZS 247.6K

237.79%

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 26, 2026

Last update for Moshi: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 238% 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

Zanzibar vs Moshi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Zanzibar is pricier by about 81%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $673 per month in Zanzibar and $373 in Moshi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $449 in Zanzibar and $248 in Moshi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

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.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $449 in Zanzibar and $248 in Moshi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

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.

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 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.