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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Living in Zanzibar is roughly 1006% more expensive than Tanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.86 TZS 12.7K

$1.53 TZS 3,990

217.65%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.25 TZS 58.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.69 TZS 14.8K

$3.58 TZS 9,344

58.94%

Cappuccino

$2.26 TZS 5,884

$0.59 TZS 1,552

283.05%

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

$0.63 TZS 1,650

$0.32 TZS 846

96.88%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 TZS 866

$0.37 TZS 969

-10.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.89 TZS 4,931

$1.00 TZS 2,616

89.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.69 TZS 7,004

$1.14 TZS 2,980

135.96%

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 Zanzibar: April 20, 2026

Last update for Tanga: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

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

Dining out: $22 in Zanzibar vs $0 in Tanga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $138 vs $0 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

Zanzibar vs Tanga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

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

You'd need roughly $672 in Zanzibar and $60.8 in Tanga 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.