Cost of Living in Dar es Salaam - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $519 (excluding rent), and $882 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,141 (excluding rent), and $1,936 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.76 TZS 6,987

$0.96 TZS 2,421

$5.71 TZS 14.5K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.68 TZS 49.9K

$15.74 TZS 39.9K

$59.1 TZS 149.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.83 TZS 19.8K

$6.27 TZS 15.9K

$11.36 TZS 28.8K

Cappuccino

$1.95 TZS 4,946

$0.76 TZS 1,923

$4.96 TZS 12.6K

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

$0.38 TZS 973

$0.28 TZS 710

$0.40 TZS 1,026

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.22 TZS 555

$0.18 TZS 458

$0.37 TZS 940

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.07 TZS 2,718

$0.78 TZS 1,975

$1.95 TZS 4,949

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 TZS 4,980

$1.38 TZS 3,483

$1.97 TZS 4,980

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 TZS 2,711

$0.67 TZS 1,704

$1.58 TZS 4,002

White Bread (500g)

$0.77 TZS 1,945

$0.37 TZS 948

$2.60 TZS 6,588

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.08 TZS 2,733

$0.94 TZS 2,388

$1.51 TZS 3,817

Eggs

$1.98 TZS 5,009

$1.35 TZS 3,430

$2.71 TZS 6,860

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.50 TZS 24.1K

$7.79 TZS 19.7K

$11.69 TZS 29.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.88 TZS 14.9K

$2.35 TZS 5,962

$7.06 TZS 17.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.24 TZS 10.7K

$3.47 TZS 8,787

$4.62 TZS 11.7K

Apples (1kg)

$2.56 TZS 6,492

$1.53 TZS 3,870

$3.81 TZS 9,663

Banana (1kg)

$1.05 TZS 2,672

$0.59 TZS 1,490

$2.75 TZS 6,964

Oranges (1kg)

$1.06 TZS 2,686

$0.40 TZS 1,007

$2.76 TZS 7,000

Tomato (1kg)

$1.03 TZS 2,606

$0.75 TZS 1,893

$1.87 TZS 4,744

Potato (1kg)

$0.95 TZS 2,398

$0.47 TZS 1,199

$1.19 TZS 3,024

Onion (1kg)

$1.51 TZS 3,817

$0.75 TZS 1,896

$2.26 TZS 5,713

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.83 TZS 2,097

$0.18 TZS 458

$1.10 TZS 2,796

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.44 TZS 1,103

$0.28 TZS 709

$0.60 TZS 1,523

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.01 TZS 5,100

$1.15 TZS 2,914

$3.84 TZS 9,723

Wine (Bottle)

$6.58 TZS 16.7K

$5.98 TZS 15.1K

$7.96 TZS 20.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.97 TZS 2,455

$0.80 TZS 2,033

$1.21 TZS 3,063

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.67 TZS 4,235

$0.99 TZS 2,505

$1.97 TZS 4,984

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 TZS 660

$0.24 TZS 607

$0.41 TZS 1,030

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.32 TZS 43.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 TZS 3,591

$1.89 TZS 4,779

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.49 TZS 3,780

$1.12 TZS 2,841

$1.49 TZS 3,780

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.59 TZS 34.4K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 TZS 3,150

$1.13 TZS 2,869

$1.36 TZS 3,458

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.0K TZS 43.0M

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

$17.2K TZS 43.7M

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

$97.4 TZS 246.6K

$58.4 TZS 148.0K

$156 TZS 394.6K

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

$10.63 TZS 26.9K

$7.63 TZS 19.3K

$11.45 TZS 29.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.10 TZS 81.3K

$19.39 TZS 49.1K

$58.2 TZS 147.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$93.4 TZS 236.7K

$57.7 TZS 146.1K

$124 TZS 313.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.92 TZS 12.5K

$3.94 TZS 9,987

$5.91 TZS 15.0K

Cinema Ticket

$4.71 TZS 11.9K

$3.79 TZS 9,606

$5.68 TZS 14.4K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$258 TZS 653.0K

$117 TZS 297.6K

$509 TZS 1.3M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$19.0K TZS 48.0M

$10.7K TZS 27.1M

$34.5K TZS 87.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.27 TZS 66.5K

$21.40 TZS 54.2K

$31.13 TZS 78.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.35 TZS 107.3K

$38.50 TZS 97.5K

$46.20 TZS 117.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.48 TZS 115.2K

$34.11 TZS 86.4K

$75.8 TZS 192.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$84.3 TZS 213.5K

$46.49 TZS 117.8K

$116 TZS 294.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$577 TZS 1.5M

$229 TZS 579.0K

$982 TZS 2.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$261 TZS 662.4K

$156 TZS 396.2K

$391 TZS 990.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,326 TZS 3.4M

$781 TZS 2.0M

$1,812 TZS 4.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$662 TZS 1.7M

$394 TZS 998.3K

$1,016 TZS 2.6M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,521 TZS 3.9M

$1,390 TZS 3.5M

$1,652 TZS 4.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,081 TZS 2.7M

$881 TZS 2.2M

$1,196 TZS 3.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$268 TZS 679.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.67

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

Dar es Salaam Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Dar es Salaam - Frequently Asked Questions

Dar es Salaam offers a mixed affordability picture for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Local food is affordable if you eat where residents do, while dining out at tourist spots can raise the daily cost. Shopping at markets and cooking at home keeps things predictable, but imported goods and premium amenities push prices up in pricey districts. Overall, you’ll find good value when you choose your neighborhood and pace to match your lifestyle. Cost of Living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania helps frame what mid-range options feel like in practice, rather than dictating a fixed budget. Tip: Start with a longer stay to test areas before committing.

As you settle in, target neighborhoods with easy transit and local amenities. Housing ranges from modern apartments to shared homes, often with flexible leases. Food options span bustling markets, affordable street fare, and a growing cafe scene for remote work. Transport mixes buses, dala-dalas, ferries, and ride-hailing, so expect variability in travel times and routes. For errands, centers cluster around main arteries, with banks, pharmacies, and supermarkets convenient in urban cores. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania living cost varies by district, so let daily routines guide where you look first. Tip: Build a short-term plan to test areas before committing long-term.

A practical budgeting approach is to fix essential costs first – housing, utilities, and transport – then treat everything else as flexible. Use a simple monthly framework: separate needs from wants, track minimal recurring fees, and set a buffer for unexpected expenses. Seasonality matters: humid wet seasons can affect outdoor activities and travel plans, while busy periods shift crowds and prices in popular spots. To find a good neighborhood, weigh walkability, access to markets, safety, and the vibe that suits you – coastal zones, central districts, and quieter inland pockets each offer a different pace. Tip: Test a couple of areas with short stays before signing a longer lease.