Cost Of Living For a Student in Dar es Salaam 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: TZS
Average monthly spending for students in Dar es Salaam
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Dar es Salaam?
Students in Dar es Salaam spend around 300,000 TZS per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 44,000 TZS or as high as 2M TZS. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Dar es Salaam
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 520 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 1,700 TZS |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,800 TZS | 2,700 TZS | 5,400 TZS |
Fine dining meal for one
| 3,600 TZS | 5,400 TZS | 22,000 TZS |
Cappuccino or latte
| 430 TZS | 690 TZS | 1,000 TZS |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 590 TZS | 760 TZS | 1,100 TZS |
Pack of beef
| 690 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 2,100 TZS |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 450 TZS | 540 TZS | 1,100 TZS |
Average car full tank
| 2,600 TZS | 3,500 TZS | 6,900 TZS |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,800 TZS | 3,800 TZS | 5,700 TZS |
Average car price
| 1.3M TZS | 2.6M TZS | 3.5M TZS |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 3,800 TZS | 5,700 TZS | 11,000 TZS |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,800 TZS | 12,000 TZS | 79,000 TZS |
Internet and cable
| 2,600 TZS | 5,200 TZS | 6,900 TZS |
Mobile phone charges
| 2,100 TZS | 3,500 TZS | 10,000 TZS |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,300 TZS | 1,700 TZS | 2,600 TZS |
One month gym membership
| 4,500 TZS | 5,700 TZS | 11,000 TZS |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 3,300 TZS | 4,700 TZS | 7,100 TZS |
Woman dress
| 3,200 TZS | 4,400 TZS | 14,000 TZS |
Woman shoes
| 3,000 TZS | 4,100 TZS | 9,500 TZS |
Men's shoes
| 2,600 TZS | 3,200 TZS | 6,300 TZS |
Men suit
| 2,800 TZS | 3,500 TZS | 19,000 TZS |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,400 TZS | 1,900 TZS | 5,700 TZS |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 47,000 TZS | 71,000 TZS | 190,000 TZS |
1-bedroom apartment
| 71,000 TZS | 110,000 TZS | 280,000 TZS |
2-bedroom apartment
| 95,000 TZS | 140,000 TZS | 380,000 TZS |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 52,000 TZS | 65,000 TZS | 86,000 TZS |
Double Bed
| 35,000 TZS | 52,000 TZS | 65,000 TZS |
Single Bed
| 30,000 TZS | 40,000 TZS | 52,000 TZS |
Living Room
| 58,000 TZS | 74,000 TZS | 260,000 TZS |
Dining Table
| 26,000 TZS | 35,000 TZS | 65,000 TZS |
Sofa or Couch
| 35,000 TZS | 47,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 35,000 TZS | 52,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
Fridge or Freezer
| 30,000 TZS | 47,000 TZS | 65,000 TZS |
Washing Machine
| 40,000 TZS | 58,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
Stove or Cooker
| 37,000 TZS | 47,000 TZS | 65,000 TZS |
Mobile Phone
| 43,000 TZS | 52,000 TZS | 74,000 TZS |
Laptop or Computer
| 47,000 TZS | 58,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
How do students spend their money in Dar es Salaam?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $4.2 11,000 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $28 71,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $190 470,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Students in Dar es Salaam typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 71,000 TZS with expenditure ranging from 11,000 TZS to 470,000 TZS. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $0.69 1,800 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $4.6 12,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $31 79,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Dar es Salaam ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 12,000 TZS with 1,800 TZS and 79,000 TZS being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $1.2 3,100 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $8.1 21,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $54 140,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 3,100 TZS to 140,000 TZS in a month on commuting with 21,000 TZS being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $3.5 8,900 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $23 59,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $150 390,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Dar es Salaam is 59,000 TZS. The cost of groceries can range between 8,900 TZS to 390,000 TZS. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $1 2,700 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $7 18,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $46 120,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Students in Dar es Salaam allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 2,700 TZS to 120,000 TZS with 18,000 TZS being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $0.87 2,200 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $5.8 15,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $39 99,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 2,200 TZS to 99,000 TZS with 15,000 TZS being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $3.3 8,400 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $22 56,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $150 380,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 56,000 TZS per month with 8,400 TZS being the minimum spent amount and 380,000 TZS being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $2.6 6,600 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $17 44,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $120 300,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Dar es Salaam
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Dar es Salaam?
Around 45% of surveyed students think that living in Dar es Salaam is affordable with proper budgeting while 55% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Dar es Salaam
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options57%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 57% of the students living in Dar es Salaam have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Dar es Salaam whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes40%
No60%
Based on the survey, 60% of the students living in Dar es Salaam said that they don't have an emergency fund while 40% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Tanzania
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy35%
We asked student guardians and parents in Dar es Salaam whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 65% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 35% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Tanzania have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 69% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 31% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance69%
Easily manages finances31%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Dar es Salaam
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Dar es Salaam
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 47,000 TZS | 71,000 TZS | 190,000 TZS |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 71,000 TZS | 110,000 TZS | 280,000 TZS |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 95,000 TZS | 140,000 TZS | 380,000 TZS |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 110,000 TZS | 190,000 TZS | 520,000 TZS |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 230,000 TZS | 570,000 TZS | 1.1M TZS |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 190,000 TZS | 280,000 TZS | 810,000 TZS |
House monthly rent cost
| 230,000 TZS | 570,000 TZS | 1.1M TZS |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 280,000 TZS | 710,000 TZS | 1.1M TZS |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Dar es Salaam ranges between 47,000 TZS and 190,000 TZS, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 71,000 TZS to 280,000 TZS. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 95,000 TZS and 380,000 TZS per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 110,000 TZS to 520,000 TZS. The average rent of a townhouse in Dar es Salaam is around 280,000 TZS while house rental costs can be as high as 570,000 TZS per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 280,000 TZS to 1.1M TZS per month.
Apartment and house prices in Dar es Salaam
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 81M TZS | 190M TZS | 710M TZS |
House price
| 95M TZS | 570M TZS | 810M TZS |
| $37,000 | $220,000 | $320,000 |
Villa price
| 110M TZS | 630M TZS | 950M TZS |
| $45,000 | $250,000 | $370,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Dar es Salaam can range from 9.5M TZS to 28M TZS depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 11M TZS to 71M TZS. A villa can cost you 630M TZS on average with prices ranging from 110M TZS to 950M TZS.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Dar es Salaam will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 31 | x83 monthly income | 209 |
Property prices in Dar es Salaam can be x83 to x209 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x83 multiples of the average monthly salary in Dar es Salaam.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Dar es Salaam is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
28% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 890 TZS | 12,000 TZS | 120,000 TZS |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Dar es Salaam
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Dar es Salaam
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,800 TZS | 12,000 TZS | 79,000 TZS |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,600 TZS | 5,200 TZS | 6,900 TZS |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,100 TZS | 3,500 TZS | 10,000 TZS |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 12,000 TZS. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,600 TZS to 6,900 TZS with 5,200 TZS being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,500 TZS but can range between 2,100 TZS and 10,000 TZS depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Dar es Salaam is around 7.9%. This means that people pay 7.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.5% to 13% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Dar es Salaam
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Dar es Salaam
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 520 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 1,700 TZS |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Dar es Salaam is approximatly 1,000 TZS with meal cost ranging from 520 TZS to 1,700 TZS. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,800 TZS | 2,700 TZS | 5,400 TZS |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,800 TZS and 5,400 TZS with 2,700 TZS being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Dar es Salaam.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 3,600 TZS | 5,400 TZS | 22,000 TZS |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,600 TZS to 22,000 TZS with the average cost being 5,400 TZS for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Dar es Salaam.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 430 TZS | 690 TZS | 1,000 TZS |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Dar es Salaam is around 690 TZS. Price ranges between 430 TZS and 1,000 TZS depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Dar es Salaam is 410 TZS. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 520 TZS and the minimum being 350 TZS depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 350 TZS on average with 260 TZS and 520 TZS being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 590 TZS | 760 TZS | 1,100 TZS |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Dar es Salaam is between 590 TZS and 1,100 TZS depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 760 TZS.
Pack of beef price
| 690 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 2,100 TZS |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,000 TZS. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Dar es Salaam costs around 380 TZS on average with prices rangeing between 280 TZS and 540 TZS depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 100 TZS to 260 TZS. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 240 TZS on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Dar es Salaam is around 32%. This means that students spend 32% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 23% to 39% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 8,900 TZS to 390,000 TZS with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
