All figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).
Monthly Living Costs in Tanzania
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Monthly budget (single person): €729 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €922 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Tanzania Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 25.2 |
| Rent index | 9 |
| Groceries index | 26.6 |
| Restaurant price index | 21.3 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 26.8 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 28.1 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Tanzania from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €8,500 |
| Finance | €6,500 |
| Engineering | €6,000 |
| Healthcare | €4,000 |
| Construction | €4,000 |
| Education | €3,500 |
| Retail | €2,000 |
| Hospitality | €2,000 |
Taxes in Tanzania
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 6.5% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,235 |
| VAT / sales tax | 18% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 30% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,235 per month. After rent and essentials (€729), roughly €5,506 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Tanzania Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | €464 | €180 | €13 | 25.2 |
| Burundi | €180 | €45 | €8 | 45.2 |
| DR Congo | €180 | €65 | €8 | 14.2 |
| Kenya | €450 | €120 | €35 | 34.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Tanzania:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 8 residence and visa routes for Tanzania — see the full Tanzania visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €580 per month to sustain a move to Tanzania.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tanzania expensive?
Tanzania has a cost-of-living index of 25.2 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €464 per month and a single person spends about €729 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Tanzania?
About €729 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €922 per month.
What do people earn in Tanzania?
Typical gross annual salaries in Tanzania range from €2,000 (Hospitality) to €8,500 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Tanzania country profile and the Tanzania emigration guide.
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
Is Tanzania a fit for your profile?
Get a personalised assessment — income, savings, profession, and family — in 3 minutes.
Get Your Free Verdict