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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $511 (excluding rent), and $875 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,157 (excluding rent), and $1,923 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.86 TZS 7,441

$0.99 TZS 2,578

$5.91 TZS 15.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.21 TZS 50.1K

$15.36 TZS 40.0K

$57.6 TZS 150.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.50 TZS 19.5K

$6.01 TZS 15.7K

$10.88 TZS 28.3K

Cappuccino

$2.03 TZS 5,278

$0.79 TZS 2,052

$5.14 TZS 13.4K

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

$0.38 TZS 996

$0.28 TZS 727

$0.40 TZS 1,050

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.22 TZS 573

$0.18 TZS 473

$0.37 TZS 971

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.04 TZS 2,715

$0.76 TZS 1,972

$1.90 TZS 4,943

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 TZS 4,927

$1.32 TZS 3,446

$1.89 TZS 4,927

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 TZS 2,675

$0.65 TZS 1,681

$1.52 TZS 3,948

White Bread (500g)

$0.82 TZS 2,128

$0.40 TZS 1,038

$2.77 TZS 7,210

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.10 TZS 2,856

$0.96 TZS 2,495

$1.53 TZS 3,988

Eggs

$1.99 TZS 5,181

$1.36 TZS 3,547

$2.72 TZS 7,095

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.47 TZS 24.7K

$7.76 TZS 20.2K

$11.65 TZS 30.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.72 TZS 14.9K

$2.29 TZS 5,965

$6.87 TZS 17.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.38 TZS 11.4K

$3.58 TZS 9,340

$4.78 TZS 12.5K

Apples (1kg)

$2.53 TZS 6,595

$1.51 TZS 3,932

$3.77 TZS 9,817

Banana (1kg)

$1.05 TZS 2,743

$0.59 TZS 1,530

$2.74 TZS 7,146

Oranges (1kg)

$1.01 TZS 2,629

$0.38 TZS 986

$2.63 TZS 6,852

Tomato (1kg)

$1.08 TZS 2,814

$0.78 TZS 2,044

$1.97 TZS 5,123

Potato (1kg)

$0.88 TZS 2,300

$0.44 TZS 1,150

$1.11 TZS 2,900

Onion (1kg)

$1.52 TZS 3,964

$0.76 TZS 1,969

$2.28 TZS 5,933

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 TZS 2,361

$0.20 TZS 516

$1.21 TZS 3,148

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.44 TZS 1,146

$0.28 TZS 737

$0.61 TZS 1,582

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.08 TZS 5,429

$1.19 TZS 3,103

$3.97 TZS 10.4K

Wine (Bottle)

$6.39 TZS 16.7K

$5.81 TZS 15.1K

$7.76 TZS 20.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.95 TZS 2,464

$0.78 TZS 2,040

$1.18 TZS 3,074

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 TZS 4,232

$0.96 TZS 2,503

$1.91 TZS 4,981

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 TZS 681

$0.24 TZS 626

$0.41 TZS 1,062

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$17.38 TZS 45.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 TZS 3,746

$1.91 TZS 4,986

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.52 TZS 3,959

$1.14 TZS 2,975

$1.52 TZS 3,959

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.65 TZS 35.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 TZS 3,116

$1.09 TZS 2,838

$1.31 TZS 3,420

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

$17.0K TZS 44.2M

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

$17.0K TZS 44.3M

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

$97.3 TZS 253.5K

$58.4 TZS 152.1K

$156 TZS 405.6K

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

$10.61 TZS 27.7K

$7.62 TZS 19.9K

$11.43 TZS 29.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.58 TZS 82.3K

$19.07 TZS 49.7K

$57.2 TZS 149.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$93.3 TZS 243.2K

$57.6 TZS 150.1K

$124 TZS 322.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$4.78 TZS 12.5K

$3.83 TZS 9,987

$5.74 TZS 15.0K

Cinema Ticket

$4.74 TZS 12.4K

$3.81 TZS 9,937

$5.71 TZS 14.9K

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

$257 TZS 669.6K

$117 TZS 305.2K

$507 TZS 1.3M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$19.2K TZS 50.0M

$10.8K TZS 28.2M

$34.9K TZS 91.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.83 TZS 67.3K

$21.04 TZS 54.8K

$30.60 TZS 79.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.38 TZS 110.4K

$38.52 TZS 100.4K

$46.22 TZS 120.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.98 TZS 119.8K

$34.48 TZS 89.9K

$76.6 TZS 199.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.9 TZS 218.7K

$46.29 TZS 120.6K

$116 TZS 301.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$589 TZS 1.5M

$233 TZS 607.4K

$1,001 TZS 2.6M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$259 TZS 674.6K

$155 TZS 403.5K

$387 TZS 1.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,304 TZS 3.4M

$768 TZS 2.0M

$1,783 TZS 4.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$644 TZS 1.7M

$383 TZS 998.1K

$987 TZS 2.6M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,534 TZS 4.0M

$1,402 TZS 3.7M

$1,667 TZS 4.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,101 TZS 2.9M

$897 TZS 2.3M

$1,218 TZS 3.2M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$272 TZS 709.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.67

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

Last update: April 11, 2026

Dar es Salaam Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.