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: $570 in Zanzibar versus $39.13 in Tanga.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $872 in Zanzibar versus $57.0 in Tanga.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,174 in Zanzibar versus $74.7 in Tanga.

Living in Zanzibar is roughly 1357% more expensive than in Tanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Zanzibar 58% lower, Tanga 97% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.65 TZS 12.2K

$1.47 TZS 3,855

216.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.43 TZS 56.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.60 TZS 14.7K

$3.42 TZS 8,965

63.74%

Cappuccino

$2.11 TZS 5,536

$0.58 TZS 1,528

263.79%

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

$0.62 TZS 1,624

$0.29 TZS 751

113.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 TZS 774

$0.40 TZS 1,044

-25.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.83 TZS 4,813

$0.92 TZS 2,420

98.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 TZS 6,962

$1.15 TZS 3,018

130.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.10 TZS 5,504

White Bread (500g)

$0.77 TZS 2,023

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.80 TZS 2,093

Eggs

$2.75 TZS 7,203

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.63 TZS 20.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.28 TZS 5,989

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.99 TZS 15.7K

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 TZS 7,218

Banana (1kg)

$1.12 TZS 2,938

Oranges (1kg)

$0.76 TZS 2,000

Tomato (1kg)

$0.55 TZS 1,451

Potato (1kg)

$0.90 TZS 2,349

Onion (1kg)

$1.54 TZS 4,036

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.77 TZS 2,034

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 TZS 1,175

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.16 TZS 5,664

Wine (Bottle)

$9.41 TZS 24.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 TZS 3,847

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 TZS 3,546

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 TZS 758

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.81 TZS 9,985

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 TZS 2,023

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 TZS 7,019

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 TZS 2,996

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

$48.5K TZS 127.2M

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

$72.9 TZS 191.4K

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

$11.10 TZS 29.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.65 TZS 127.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.06 TZS 76.2K

Cinema Ticket

$9.21 TZS 24.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$12.90 TZS 33.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.73 TZS 43.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.23 TZS 40.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$13.01 TZS 34.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$151 TZS 396.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$100 TZS 263.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$202 TZS 530.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$147 TZS 384.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$37.2K TZS 97.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.1K TZS 29.2M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$316 TZS 829.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zanzibar: August 16, 2026

Last update for Tanga: August 16, 2026

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, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear. The 1357% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $855 in Zanzibar and $58.7 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 1357% less than in Zanzibar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.