MigrantoCost of living in Tanzania
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries
Monthly cost in Tanzania
Spending runs from TZS 49,600 a month in the poorest fifth to TZS 360,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
TZS 112,000
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
TZS 49,600richest 20%
TZS 360,000
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Key facts
The cost of living in Tanzania in numbers
Typical spending takes 22% of the average wage
A typical person spends TZS 112,000 a month while the average take-home wage is TZS 501,000, so 78% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
Among the cheapest countries in the world
Cheaper than 96% of countries. A basket that costs TZS 2,610,000 at world-middle prices costs TZS 1,510,000 here.
The cheapest of its neighbours
No neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs TZS 1,510,000 here against TZS 1,610,000 in Rwanda, the closest on price.
The richest fifth spends 7.3× the poorest
Spending runs from TZS 49,600 a month in the poorest fifth to TZS 360,000 in the richest, which is #48 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
How living costs in Tanzania compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Tanzania against other countries
Cheaper than 96% of countries
Where Tanzania sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs TZS 2,610,000 at world-middle prices costs TZS 1,510,000 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Tanzania
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Cost of living in Tanzania
TZS 49,600/mo
vs TZS 2,090,000 in your country
Take-home
TZS 475,000
vs TZS 3,130,000 in your country
Potential savings
TZS 425,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Tanzania?
A typical person in Tanzania spends about TZS 112,000 a month — around TZS 1,350,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Tanzania?
By spending, Tanzania ranks #176 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about TZS 112,000 a month, the poorest 20% about TZS 49,600 and the richest 20% about TZS 360,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Tanzania in US dollars?
The cost of living in Tanzania is about $43 a month, or roughly $516 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Tanzania?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about TZS 49,600 a month per person, a typical one around TZS 112,000, and a comfortable life around TZS 154,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
Is the average salary in Tanzania enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about TZS 112,000 a month, while the average take-home pay in Tanzania is about TZS 501,000. For more on incomes, see salaries in Tanzania.
Is Tanzania an expensive country to live in?
No. Tanzania is more expensive than 5% of countries worldwide and ranks 44th of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
What currency is used in Tanzania?
Tanzania uses the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Tanzania
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