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Cost of Living in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania · Population 7,962,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Tanzania average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)TSh1,209,368 ($456)
Couple, monthlyTSh2,162,830 ($816)
Family of four, monthlyTSh2,812,879 ($1,061)

Estimated Prices in Dar es Salaam

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantTSh12,402 ($4.68)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeTSh49,608 ($18.72)per meal
CappuccinoTSh3,721 ($1.40)each
Monthly groceries (single person)TSh281,112 ($106)per month
Monthly public transport passTSh45,474 ($17.16)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentTSh119,886 ($45.24)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)TSh34,726 ($13.10)per month
Fitness club membershipTSh34,726 ($13.10)per month
Cinema ticketTSh9,095 ($3.43)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreTSh549,941 ($208)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreTSh382,568 ($144)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreTSh1,147,703 ($433)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Dar es Salaam is TSh861,250 ($325) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of TSh1,209,368 ($456) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly TSh1,572,178 ($593) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (TSh382,568 ($144)) represents about 32% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam vs MwanzaDar es Salaam vs UbungoDar es Salaam vs MbeyaDar es Salaam vs MorogoroDar es Salaam vs ArushaDar es Salaam vs Geita

Nearby Cities

Ubungo

10 km away · Dar es Salaam

Kisarawe

25 km away · Coast

Kibaha

32 km away · Coast

Bagamoyo

60 km away · Coast

Zanzibar

73 km away · Zanzibar Urban/West

Koani

76 km away · Zanzibar Central/South

Bububu

80 km away · Zanzibar Urban/West

Mahonda

92 km away · Zanzibar North

Other Major Cities in Tanzania

Mwanza

Mwanza · pop. 1,104,521

TSh1,049,686 ($396) / mo

Ubungo

Dar es Salaam · pop. 1,086,912

TSh1,049,686 ($396) / mo

Mbeya

Mbeya · pop. 541,603

TSh970,583 ($366) / mo

Morogoro

Morogoro · pop. 471,409

TSh970,583 ($366) / mo

Arusha

Arusha · pop. 416,442

TSh970,583 ($366) / mo

Geita

Geita · pop. 361,671

TSh970,583 ($366) / mo

Tabora

Tabora · pop. 308,741

TSh970,583 ($366) / mo

Sumbawanga

Rukwa · pop. 303,986

TSh970,583 ($366) / mo

Living in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is the capital and one of the key cities in Tanzania. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is TSh1,209,368 ($456), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around TSh382,568 ($144) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to TSh2,812,879 ($1,061) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately TSh2,162,830 ($816) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Dar es Salaam is TSh861,250 ($325). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least TSh1,572,178 ($593) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dar es Salaam expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated TSh1,209,368 ($456) per month in Dar es Salaam including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Tanzania.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dar es Salaam?
A net salary of around TSh1,572,178 ($593) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Dar es Salaam with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Dar es Salaam is TSh861,250 ($325).
How much is rent in Dar es Salaam?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated TSh549,941 ($208) per month in the city centre and TSh382,568 ($144) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about TSh1,147,703 ($433).
Is Dar es Salaam cheaper than Tanzania on average?
No — Dar es Salaam is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Tanzania average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Dar es Salaam?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at TSh281,112 ($106) in Dar es Salaam. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about TSh12,402 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around TSh3,721 ($1).
How do transport costs in Dar es Salaam compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Dar es Salaam is estimated at TSh45,474 ($17). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Dar es Salaam are estimates based on Tanzania national averages adjusted for city size (population 7,962,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.