How Much Does It Cost to Live In Tanzania?
Tastes are different and what for someone is a dream country, for others might seem like hell.
One thing that attracts people to relocate is definitely the standard of living, as people are constantly in search of a country where they will have a high salary combined with low living costs.
Unfortunately, Tanzania is not that kind of place, as neither high salaries nor low expenses should be expected there.
Tanzania : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
If you want to take regular meals at the restaurant, you will have to prepare quite an amount of money.
As a tourist, you would think that a decent meal in a mid-level restaurant for $3 is a bargain, but for a citizen of Tanzania who gets $40 per month for his/her work, this is considered expensive.
MARKETS
People living in Tanzania know that they need to struggle here to provide food for their families, as the prices are extremely high and salaries are too low.
Foodstuff together with the rent is the two greatest expenses that take more than half of monthly income.
TRANSPORTATION
Commuting in Tanzania via the public transportation system is a bargain, especially for those coming from other countries who are used to high transportation prices.
You will be able to get around the city the whole month for just $11.
This is strange due to the fact that the price of gasoline is not so low.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The service prices in Tanzania are not easy on the wallet.
People with minimum wages would not be able to pay them.
Those with the average salaries would be left with quite a little amount after the rent is paid, and somebody would think that it is impossible to cover all the expenses here.
SPORTS & LEISURE
If we take a look at the given data, it can be concluded that people in Tanzania devote more money to leisure and entertainment than to restaurants and utilities.
All in all, cinema tickets can be considered affordable, while tennis courts and fitness clubs are not.
CLOTHING & SHOES
If we compare the prices of designer clothes with more developed countries, Tanzania is inexpensive and a true haven for shoppers.
However, related to the salaries here, giving the whole monthly salary so as to pay for a pair of running shoes does not look affordable.
RENT PER MONTH
When most people think of expensive countries to live in, they do not imagine that Tanzania is one of them.
Actually, this is the case due to extremely low income and unreasonably high prices.
The cost of the smallest apartment here would take somebody’s whole average salary.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Tanzania
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $2.57 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.07 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.30 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.22 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.75 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.98 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.21 |
| Monthly Pass | $10.69 |
| Gasoline | $1.13 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $70.39 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.01 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $49.40 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $47.03 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $7.94 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.28 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $13.89 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $35.00 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $60.33 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $302.64 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $252.17 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $656.53 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Tanzania?
The majority of people in Tanzania are renters, and extreme housing prices are the main reason why so many people struggle to survive here.
There are also many other factors that contribute to the high costs of living in Tanzania, including food, which is unreasonably expensive, and utilities which are not in line with the budget.
If you follow the citizen’s pattern of spending, you will find out that they devote quite a lot of money to sports, which might not be one of your preferences.
Average Costs Breakdown
Tanzania: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
“Struggling with life” are the words that best describe the situation in Tanzania.
If you are earning the minimum wage, nothing would be available to you.
If you are lucky enough to earn at least the average, you will be able to provide for some of the things, but still a lot of restraint.
Buying property so as to save some money on rent is not advisable, due to the high mortgage interest rates that exceed 20%.
The only way to live a good life here is to earn a salary in your home country.
Tanzania Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Tanzania Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Cost of Living by City in Tanzania
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | 44.33 |
I would like to move to your country.
The reality of local life is cheaper than this report says
Life in Tanzania is VERY cheap for foreigners IF they live in a truly local way. Most meals are 50cents to 2USD. Average rent for a single room is 20$ a month. Milk is 50 cents a liter. I hope many people can come here, as it is a beautiful and very peaceful country as well.
Love Tanzania!
Yes this is correct. My wife is Tanzanian and we visit Dar and Zanzibar every summer with the kids. We plan to build a home there and retire in about 10 years, With our retirement savings in hand, we will be able to live quite comfortably in Tanzania.