Cost of Living in Tanzania

Updated: March 01, 2025

If you've ever considered moving to Tanzania, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Tanzania?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Tanzania and whether the reported $1058 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $233.12.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

Tanzania

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	2.35 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	25.59 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	6.4 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	1.07 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	1.96 $
Cappuccino (regular)	1.89 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	0.55 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	0.29 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	1.18 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	0.68 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	0.91 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	2.0 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	9.38 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	4.6 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	3.8 $
Apples (1 lb)	2.76 $
Banana (1 lb)	0.99 $
Oranges (1 lb)	0.85 $
Tomato (1 lb)	1.01 $
Potato (1 lb)	0.75 $
Onion (1 lb)	0.99 $
Lettuce (1 head)	0.61 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	0.46 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	6.4 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	0.98 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	1.74 $
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	1.71 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	0.21 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	8.53 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	1.71 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	1.28 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	3.41 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	1.09 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	17061.52 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	5715.61 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	61.99 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.02 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	51.3 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	42.82 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	8.53 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	4.27 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	271.91 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	5953.15 $

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	15.11 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	36.26 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	66.97 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	54.47 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	287.86 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	274.24 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	600.64 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	586.7 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	4724.69 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	3466.82 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	233.12 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	18.68 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 2.35 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 25.59 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.18 USD, a loaf of bread 0.68 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 2.0 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.21 USD and a monthly pass around 8.53 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 61.99 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 42.82 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 8.53 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 271.91 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 5953.15 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 15.11 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 66.97 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 287.86 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 274.24 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 4724.69 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 3466.82 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 233.12 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 18.68% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in Tanzania

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

If you go and visit Tanzania, chances are you will have no negative experiences or incidents. However, it is a country where you should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of something going wrong.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transportation is not the safest or the most convenient option: you are highly advised to call your reliable taxi driver instead of hailing one on the streets, and public transport is where the pickpockets and thieves operate.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

There is an extreme threat to petty crime. Pickpockets are practically an everyday occurrence. You should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. Never carry all your money in the same place, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The most common natural disasters in Tanzania are droughts, floods, and epidemics. Various epidemics are common, but not one natural disaster has hit people harder in Tanzania, than droughts.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

There is also a risk of getting mugged and violent crimes aren't really rare in Tanzania. Avoid traveling alone, even within Lomé city limits, especially at night. It’s generally recommended not to resist armed attack.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Tanzania is also targeted for terrorist attacks. Even though there haven't been major terrorist attacks in its recent history, apart from the bombing of the United States embassy in 1998, it suffered many smaller incidents, and most of them are performed against local security forces,

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

When it comes to scams, there is a high risk of getting scammed in Tanzania: children might try and fool you just to steal from you in the end, and others might try to distract you. There are also scammers impersonating officials or authorities and trying to extort money from you. Apart from that, double check your change and negotiate everything in advance.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Tanzania isn't exactly the safest place for a woman to be visiting alone. If you do, be sure to avoid remote streets, both during day and night, and do not flash your belongings or handle money in public. Stay out of the streets at night and be vigilant for any possible dangers at all times.

Cost of Living in Tanzania

Tanzania

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing