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: $439 in Zanzibar versus $39.47 in Tanga.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $702 in Zanzibar versus $58.0 in Tanga.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $966 in Zanzibar versus $77.2 in Tanga.

Living in Zanzibar is roughly 1013% 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

$4.70 TZS 12.3K

$1.53 TZS 3,998

207.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.58 TZS 58.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 TZS 14.7K

$3.46 TZS 9,028

63.29%

Cappuccino

$2.18 TZS 5,700

$0.56 TZS 1,462

289.29%

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

$0.59 TZS 1,550

$0.32 TZS 842

84.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 TZS 806

$0.40 TZS 1,053

-22.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.91 TZS 4,971

$0.98 TZS 2,561

94.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.65 TZS 6,906

$1.15 TZS 2,991

130.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 TZS 4,627

White Bread (500g)

$0.73 TZS 1,901

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.82 TZS 2,132

Eggs

$3.03 TZS 7,894

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.36 TZS 6,167

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.59 TZS 12.0K

Apples (1kg)

$2.91 TZS 7,601

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 TZS 2,946

Oranges (1kg)

$0.74 TZS 1,932

Tomato (1kg)

$0.60 TZS 1,565

Potato (1kg)

$0.95 TZS 2,486

Onion (1kg)

$1.58 TZS 4,125

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.79 TZS 2,068

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 TZS 1,291

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.07 TZS 5,390

Wine (Bottle)

$9.31 TZS 24.3K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 TZS 4,424

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 TZS 3,458

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.61 TZS 1,578

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.73 TZS 7,114

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 TZS 3,015

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

$10.58 TZS 27.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.57 TZS 61.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.38 TZS 55.8K

Cinema Ticket

$9.65 TZS 25.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$13.09 TZS 34.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.20 TZS 44.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$15.43 TZS 40.2K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$13.73 TZS 35.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 TZS 391.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$98.6 TZS 257.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$200 TZS 521.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$151 TZS 394.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$38.1K TZS 99.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.4K TZS 29.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$312 TZS 813.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zanzibar: June 14, 2026

Last update for Tanga: June 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, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 1013% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $659 in Zanzibar and $59.2 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 1013% less than in Zanzibar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.