Cost of Living in Tanzania - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $444 (excluding rent), and $671 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,006 (excluding rent), and $1,416 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.79 TZS 7,202
$1.19 TZS 3,083
$5.97 TZS 15.4K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.42 TZS 50.1K
$11.65 TZS 30.1K
$46.61 TZS 120.3K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.66 TZS 19.8K
$5.74 TZS 14.8K
$9.57 TZS 24.7K
Cappuccino
$1.96 TZS 5,054
$0.79 TZS 2,027
$2.96 TZS 7,633
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 TZS 892
$0.26 TZS 669
$0.56 TZS 1,437
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 TZS 646
$0.20 TZS 511
$0.41 TZS 1,049
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.18 TZS 3,041
$0.79 TZS 2,036
$1.98 TZS 5,104
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 TZS 5,078
$1.38 TZS 3,552
$3.52 TZS 9,078
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.98 TZS 2,533
$0.61 TZS 1,563
$1.62 TZS 4,176
White Bread (500g)
$0.74 TZS 1,915
$0.37 TZS 957
$1.28 TZS 3,314
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 TZS 2,613
$0.75 TZS 1,935
$1.31 TZS 3,392
Eggs
$2.01 TZS 5,186
$1.36 TZS 3,499
$3.17 TZS 8,182
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.33 TZS 24.1K
$5.97 TZS 15.4K
$11.95 TZS 30.8K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.20 TZS 13.4K
$2.33 TZS 6,017
$6.99 TZS 18.1K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.97 TZS 10.2K
$3.22 TZS 8,306
$4.54 TZS 11.7K
Apples (1kg)
$2.43 TZS 6,284
$1.19 TZS 3,063
$3.96 TZS 10.2K
Banana (1kg)
$0.91 TZS 2,355
$0.57 TZS 1,469
$1.89 TZS 4,887
Oranges (1kg)
$1.07 TZS 2,757
$0.40 TZS 1,034
$2.78 TZS 7,183
Tomato (1kg)
$1.01 TZS 2,610
$0.60 TZS 1,545
$1.99 TZS 5,141
Potato (1kg)
$0.93 TZS 2,393
$0.41 TZS 1,049
$1.41 TZS 3,630
Onion (1kg)
$1.44 TZS 3,705
$0.59 TZS 1,524
$2.36 TZS 6,096
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 TZS 1,828
$0.41 TZS 1,049
$1.21 TZS 3,119
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 TZS 1,168
$0.28 TZS 717
$0.60 TZS 1,540
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.95 TZS 5,025
$1.39 TZS 3,593
$3.12 TZS 8,046
Wine (Bottle)
$5.85 TZS 15.1K
$2.73 TZS 7,041
$9.75 TZS 25.2K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.96 TZS 2,481
$0.75 TZS 1,930
$1.50 TZS 3,885
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 TZS 3,901
$0.95 TZS 2,441
$1.88 TZS 4,858
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 TZS 753
$0.24 TZS 619
$0.80 TZS 2,072
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.48 TZS 45.1K
$8.44 TZS 21.8K
$20.19 TZS 52.1K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.47 TZS 3,803
$1.47 TZS 3,803
$1.96 TZS 5,061
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 TZS 4,024
$1.17 TZS 3,025
$1.95 TZS 5,023
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.48 TZS 34.8K
$5.78 TZS 14.9K
$13.48 TZS 34.8K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 TZS 3,056
$1.10 TZS 2,852
$1.26 TZS 3,259
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.8K TZS 43.4M
$16.8K TZS 43.4M
$18.2K TZS 47.1M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.1K TZS 41.6M
$16.1K TZS 41.6M
$17.2K TZS 44.4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$65.7 TZS 169.7K
$24.93 TZS 64.4K
$117 TZS 302.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.64 TZS 27.5K
$3.81 TZS 9,843
$19.04 TZS 49.2K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.24 TZS 98.7K
$23.37 TZS 60.3K
$58.4 TZS 150.8K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.3 TZS 158.1K
$21.24 TZS 54.8K
$96.6 TZS 249.3K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.09 TZS 15.7K
$3.76 TZS 9,696
$7.50 TZS 19.4K
Cinema Ticket
$4.60 TZS 11.9K
$3.84 TZS 9,909
$9.58 TZS 24.7K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$289 TZS 745.9K
$143 TZS 369.9K
$497 TZS 1.3M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,281 TZS 24.0M
$3,908 TZS 10.1M
$13.7K TZS 35.3M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.35 TZS 42.2K
$7.69 TZS 19.9K
$23.09 TZS 59.6K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.73 TZS 61.3K
$9.68 TZS 25.0K
$46.48 TZS 120.0K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$29.84 TZS 77.0K
$17.33 TZS 44.7K
$38.51 TZS 99.4K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.6 TZS 133.2K
$15.28 TZS 39.4K
$84.1 TZS 217.0K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$406 TZS 1.0M
$118 TZS 304.8K
$1,015 TZS 2.6M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$172 TZS 443.0K
$96.0 TZS 247.9K
$384 TZS 991.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$753 TZS 1.9M
$199 TZS 513.2K
$1,789 TZS 4.6M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$358 TZS 923.2K
$116 TZS 298.9K
$995 TZS 2.6M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,572 TZS 4.1M
$1,426 TZS 3.7M
$5,483 TZS 14.2M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,114 TZS 2.9M
$1,014 TZS 2.6M
$5,352 TZS 13.8M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$247 TZS 636.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.6
10
25

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

Last update: March 8, 2026

0
Tanzania Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Tanzania - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Tanzania for travelers and expats, and who tends to find value?
A quick pulse check: Tanzania tends to offer good value for travelers and long stays, especially if you focus on local options. You’ll find affordable street food, flexible short-term rentals in many towns, and reasonably priced local transport. Imported goods and tourist-oriented areas can push costs higher, so choose lodging outside tourist hubs when possible. Overall, Cost of Living in Tanzania is favorable for those who blend in with local markets and avoid premium amenities. Housing in major cities varies by neighborhood, and rural areas can be even kinder on a budget. Tip: Compare weekly groceries, street meals, and monthly apartment rates to plan ahead.
What does daily life look like in Tanzania in terms of housing, food options, transport, and coworking?
Daily life shifts by city and rhythm. In Dar es Salaam or Mtwara you’ll find a range of housing from modest flats to larger rentals, with cheaper options often a short bus ride from the coast. Local markets and street stalls offer inexpensive staples and seasonal produce; supermarkets stock imported items at a premium. For transport, you’ll use dala-dalas, taxis, or ride-hailing apps in urban centers. Co-working spaces are growing in major towns, helpful for digital nomads. When errands stack up, plan around market days to maximize selection. Tanzania living cost varies by neighborhood, so scout several areas before committing. Tip: start with a one- or two-week trial in each area.
How can you plan for quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit when staying in Tanzania?
Quality of life rises when you tailor a simple budgeting framework: anchor major expenses to a monthly plan, then pencil in groceries, transport, and utilities with room for occasional experiences. In Tanzania, you’ll notice a wide gap between city centers and outlying areas, so pick a neighborhood that keeps you close to essentials like markets, schools, or coworking spaces if relevant. Embrace seasonality by planning outdoor activities around dry spells, and prepare for rain by packing practical gear. For longer stays, build a routine that rotates between urban conveniences and quieter towns to balance pace and costs. Tip: regularly review your subscriptions and transportation habits to trim recurring costs.

Tanzania vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar countries