Cost Of Living For a Student in Tanzania 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: TZS
Average monthly spending for students in Tanzania
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Tanzania?
Students in Tanzania spend around 260,000 TZS per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 39,000 TZS or as high as 1.7M TZS. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Tanzania
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 500 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 1,700 TZS |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,700 TZS | 2,500 TZS | 5,000 TZS |
Fine dining meal for one
| 3,300 TZS | 5,000 TZS | 20,000 TZS |
Cappuccino or latte
| 420 TZS | 670 TZS | 1,000 TZS |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 570 TZS | 740 TZS | 1,000 TZS |
Pack of beef
| 670 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 2,000 TZS |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 420 TZS | 500 TZS | 1,000 TZS |
Average car full tank
| 2,500 TZS | 3,300 TZS | 6,700 TZS |
Average car 1-day rental
| 2,500 TZS | 3,300 TZS | 5,000 TZS |
Average car price
| 1.3M TZS | 2.5M TZS | 3.3M TZS |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 3,300 TZS | 5,000 TZS | 10,000 TZS |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,600 TZS | 10,000 TZS | 70,000 TZS |
Internet and cable
| 2,500 TZS | 5,000 TZS | 6,700 TZS |
Mobile phone charges
| 2,000 TZS | 3,300 TZS | 10,000 TZS |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 1,300 TZS | 1,700 TZS | 2,500 TZS |
One month gym membership
| 4,000 TZS | 5,000 TZS | 10,000 TZS |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,900 TZS | 4,200 TZS | 6,300 TZS |
Woman dress
| 2,800 TZS | 3,800 TZS | 13,000 TZS |
Woman shoes
| 2,600 TZS | 3,600 TZS | 8,300 TZS |
Men's shoes
| 2,300 TZS | 2,800 TZS | 5,600 TZS |
Men suit
| 2,500 TZS | 3,100 TZS | 17,000 TZS |
Regular t-shirt
| 1,300 TZS | 1,700 TZS | 5,000 TZS |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 42,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS | 170,000 TZS |
1-bedroom apartment
| 63,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS | 250,000 TZS |
2-bedroom apartment
| 83,000 TZS | 130,000 TZS | 330,000 TZS |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 50,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS | 83,000 TZS |
Double Bed
| 33,000 TZS | 50,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS |
Single Bed
| 29,000 TZS | 38,000 TZS | 50,000 TZS |
Living Room
| 56,000 TZS | 71,000 TZS | 250,000 TZS |
Dining Table
| 25,000 TZS | 33,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS |
Sofa or Couch
| 33,000 TZS | 45,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 33,000 TZS | 50,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
Fridge or Freezer
| 29,000 TZS | 45,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS |
Washing Machine
| 38,000 TZS | 56,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
Stove or Cooker
| 36,000 TZS | 45,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS |
Mobile Phone
| 42,000 TZS | 50,000 TZS | 71,000 TZS |
Laptop or Computer
| 45,000 TZS | 56,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS |
How do students spend their money in Tanzania?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $3.7 9,400 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $25 63,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $160 420,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Students in Tanzania typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 63,000 TZS with expenditure ranging from 9,400 TZS to 420,000 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 | $0.61 1,600 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $4.1 10,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $27 70,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Tanzania ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 10,000 TZS with 1,600 TZS and 70,000 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 | $1.1 2,700 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $7.2 18,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $48 120,000 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 2,700 TZS to 120,000 TZS in a month on commuting with 18,000 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 | $3.1 7,800 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $20 52,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $140 350,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Tanzania is 52,000 TZS. The cost of groceries can range between 7,800 TZS to 350,000 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 | $0.92 2,300 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $6.1 16,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $41 100,000 TZS |
| Per Month |
Students in Tanzania 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 2,300 TZS to 100,000 TZS with 16,000 TZS being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $0.76 2,000 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $5.1 13,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $34 87,000 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 2,000 TZS to 87,000 TZS with 13,000 TZS being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% 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 | $2.9 7,400 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $19 50,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $130 330,000 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 50,000 TZS per month with 7,400 TZS being the minimum spent amount and 330,000 TZS being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $2.3 5,900 TZS |
| AVERAGE | $15 39,000 TZS |
| HIGH | $100 260,000 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 Tanzania
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Tanzania?
Around 40% of surveyed students think that living in Tanzania is affordable with proper budgeting while 60% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Tanzania
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 options50%
Few low-cost options50%
Based on the survey, 50% of the students living in Tanzania have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 50% 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 Tanzania whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes35%
No65%
Based on the survey, 65% of the students living in Tanzania said that they don't have an emergency fund while 35% 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 Tanzania 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 Tanzania
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Tanzania
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 42,000 TZS | 63,000 TZS | 170,000 TZS |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 63,000 TZS | 100,000 TZS | 250,000 TZS |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 83,000 TZS | 130,000 TZS | 330,000 TZS |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 100,000 TZS | 170,000 TZS | 450,000 TZS |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 200,000 TZS | 500,000 TZS | 1,000,000 TZS |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 170,000 TZS | 250,000 TZS | 710,000 TZS |
House monthly rent cost
| 200,000 TZS | 500,000 TZS | 1,000,000 TZS |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 250,000 TZS | 630,000 TZS | 1,000,000 TZS |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Tanzania ranges between 42,000 TZS and 170,000 TZS, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 63,000 TZS to 250,000 TZS. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 83,000 TZS and 330,000 TZS per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 100,000 TZS to 450,000 TZS. The average rent of a townhouse in Tanzania is around 250,000 TZS while house rental costs can be as high as 500,000 TZS per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 250,000 TZS to 1,000,000 TZS per month.
Apartment and house prices in Tanzania
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
| 71M TZS | 170M TZS | 630M TZS |
House price
| 83M TZS | 500M TZS | 710M TZS |
| $33,000 | $200,000 | $280,000 |
Villa price
| 100M TZS | 560M TZS | 830M TZS |
| $39,000 | $220,000 | $330,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Tanzania can range from 8.3M TZS to 25M TZS depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 10M TZS to 63M TZS. A villa can cost you 560M TZS on average with prices ranging from 100M TZS to 830M TZS.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Tanzania 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
| 27 | x73 monthly income | 184 |
Property prices in Tanzania can be x73 to x184 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x73 multiples of the average monthly salary in Tanzania.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Tanzania is around 27%. This means that people pay 27% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 17% to 37% 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
25% 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.
| 780 TZS | 10,000 TZS | 100,000 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 Tanzania
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Tanzania
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,600 TZS | 10,000 TZS | 70,000 TZS |
Internet and cable cost
| 2,500 TZS | 5,000 TZS | 6,700 TZS |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 2,000 TZS | 3,300 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 10,000 TZS. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 2,500 TZS to 6,700 TZS with 5,000 TZS being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 3,300 TZS but can range between 2,000 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 Tanzania is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Tanzania
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Tanzania
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 500 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 Tanzania is approximatly 1,000 TZS with meal cost ranging from 500 TZS to 1,700 TZS. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,700 TZS | 2,500 TZS | 5,000 TZS |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,700 TZS and 5,000 TZS with 2,500 TZS being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Tanzania.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 3,300 TZS | 5,000 TZS | 20,000 TZS |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 3,300 TZS to 20,000 TZS with the average cost being 5,000 TZS for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Tanzania.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 420 TZS | 670 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 Tanzania is around 670 TZS. Price ranges between 420 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 Tanzania is 400 TZS. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 500 TZS and the minimum being 330 TZS depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 330 TZS on average with 250 TZS and 500 TZS being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 570 TZS | 740 TZS | 1,000 TZS |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Tanzania is between 570 TZS and 1,000 TZS depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 740 TZS.
Pack of beef price
| 670 TZS | 1,000 TZS | 2,000 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 Tanzania costs around 370 TZS on average with prices rangeing between 270 TZS and 520 TZS depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 100 TZS to 250 TZS. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 230 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 Tanzania is around 28%. This means that students spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 34% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 7,800 TZS to 350,000 TZS with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
