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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $441 per month in Zanzibar vs $248 in Moshi, rent included.

A couple spends around $713 per month in Zanzibar vs $429 in Moshi, rent included.

A family of three spends $985 per month in Zanzibar vs $609 in Moshi, rent included.

Zanzibar costs about 78% more than Moshi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Zanzibar and Moshi are more affordable than the global median – Zanzibar 67% lower, Moshi 82% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.95 TZS 12.9K

$3.05 TZS 7,948

62.30%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.32 TZS 58.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.87 TZS 15.3K

Cappuccino

$2.20 TZS 5,733

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

$0.59 TZS 1,549

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 TZS 869

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.89 TZS 4,938

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.78 TZS 7,262

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 TZS 4,614

$0.56 TZS 1,454

216.07%

White Bread (500g)

$0.74 TZS 1,926

$0.75 TZS 1,962

-1.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.86 TZS 2,253

$1.32 TZS 3,436

-34.85%

Eggs

$2.88 TZS 7,517

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.72 TZS 22.7K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.30 TZS 5,995

$3.81 TZS 9,943

-39.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.72 TZS 12.3K

$3.07 TZS 8,002

53.75%

Apples (1kg)

$2.93 TZS 7,657

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 TZS 2,937

$0.40 TZS 1,055

182.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.75 TZS 1,948

$1.58 TZS 4,133

-52.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 TZS 1,442

$0.75 TZS 1,967

-26.67%

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 TZS 2,427

$0.78 TZS 2,042

19.23%

Onion (1kg)

$1.52 TZS 3,954

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 TZS 1,939

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 TZS 1,310

$0.40 TZS 1,045

25.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.10 TZS 5,490

Wine (Bottle)

$9.36 TZS 24.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 TZS 4,432

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 TZS 3,575

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.64 TZS 1,683

$0.40 TZS 1,056

60.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.70 TZS 7,037

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 TZS 3,194

$1.25 TZS 3,268

-2.40%

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

$118 TZS 307.8K

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

$10.35 TZS 27.0K

$3.92 TZS 10.2K

164.03%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 TZS 61.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.17 TZS 55.2K

Cinema Ticket

$9.41 TZS 24.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.28 TZS 34.7K

$19.35 TZS 50.5K

-31.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.60 TZS 45.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.44 TZS 40.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$13.66 TZS 35.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$147 TZS 384.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.1 TZS 255.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$198 TZS 516.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$148 TZS 385.9K

$196 TZS 511.7K

-24.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$38.1K TZS 99.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.3K TZS 29.4M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$317 TZS 826.4K

$95.5 TZS 249.2K

231.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zanzibar: June 7, 2026

Last update for Moshi: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 232% 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 78%, 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 $661 per month in Zanzibar and $372 in Moshi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $441 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 49% 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 $441 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.