How Much Does It Cost to Live In Dar es Salaam?
Many people who are thinking about moving to Dar es Salaam have concerns whether the amount they would be earning would be sufficient to lead above normal life there.
Tanzania is a country where high salaries are a dream, while high living costs are daily trouble.
Dar is a place that is the most expensive in India and living a life you are used to in your home country would be difficult to manage there.
Tanzania : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
As a foreigner who is used to going out regularly and dine with family on a weekly basis, your biggest challenge here will be to find a restaurant that is within your budget and which will offer the quality food for a reasonable price.
MARKETS
Food costs, if you do not mind preparing your meals at home, will be very inexpensive and can be even lowered if you purchase the products in the local markets.
Groceries take more than a half of monthly wage, so clever shopping would be necessary here.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in Dar es Salaam is not expensive if you decide to use public transport for commuting.
The monthly pass costs only $15, while getting from one place to another just once costs $0.17.
Otherwise, if you use a car, it will be expensive and would take much of your budget.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
While the cost of rent depends on where you want to live and in what part of the city, the price of utilities varies due to the size of the apartment and habits of people living there.
The utilities in Dar es Salaam are expensive, especially the Internet access.
SPORTS & LEISURE
As a resident, you would definitely need some leisure time after work, and what you would do depends on your preferences as the tastes vary from person to person.
Watching a movie at the cinema would cost you less than $5, but if you prefer doing exercises in the gym, you will need to provide more than $70 per month.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Dar es Salaam is the major city in Tanzania, and it is expected that the majority of tourists come there.
They will be satisfied with the fact that the branded apparel here is affordable, even though it is priceier than in other cities in Tanzania.
RENT PER MONTH
The first thing to consider when relocating somewhere is definitely the rent.
You will need to find adequate accommodation and housing expenses in Dar are very expensive.
As a tourist, you will be able to pay for accommodation, but as a citizen providing for it would be difficult.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Dar es Salaam
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $3.66 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.08 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.28 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $4.02 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.48 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.08 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.17 |
| Monthly Pass | $15.05 |
| Gasoline | $3.63 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $102.49 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.14 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $59.27 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $73.88 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $19.04 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $4.73 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $32.32 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $31.74 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $37.63 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $430.23 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $380.20 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1290.12 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Dar es Salaam?
Citizens of Dar es Salaam do not have high salaries, but somehow manage to survive there.
The expenses are huge, and struggling to live at least a decent life is a daily situation here.
If they are minimum wage earners, they would not have to pay for rent or food.
Others would provide for essentials, such as groceries, utilities and transportation.
Those lucky ones who earn above the average might have some money left to spend on sports and clothing.
Average Costs Breakdown
Dar es Salaam: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
If you been offered a job in Dar es Salaam, make sure whether it would be high enough to cover all the possible expenses there.
The difference between the minimum and the average salary is huge here, and it is estimated that even the average one is not high enough for all the costs, if you have to pay the rent.
If you consider buying a property here, to save on the rent, it would be a difficult task, due to the high mortgage rates that are almost 20%.
Dar es Salaam Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Dar es Salaam Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
