Mwanza, located in Tanzania, is a vibrant city known for its scenic beauty and cultural richness. Understanding the cost of living in Mwanza is crucial for both residents and potential newcomers.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Mwanza, including housing, transportation, groceries, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $1.88 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $9.39.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $3.76.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer averages $0.94, imported beer $1.31, cappuccino $1.88, and Coke/Pepsi $0.56.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $0.94 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.38.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $1.24.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples and oranges both cost $0.75 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $0.34 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.38 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $0.15.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.94 and $1.19 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.13, with a cost of $1.13 per km and $1.5 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $75.12.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $56.34.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $262.93.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $169.02.

Utilities

  • Internet - Internet services average $75.12.
Worldwide
Tanzania

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Tanzania are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Tanzania, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 6 user contributions, as of the most recent update in December, 2023.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$1.88
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$9.39
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$3.76
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.94
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.88
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.94
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.38
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.24
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.82
Apples (1kg)
$0.75
Oranges (1kg)
$0.75
Potato (1kg)
$0.34
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.38
Rice (white), (1kg)
$0.56
Tomato (1kg)
$0.38
Banana (1kg)
$0.75
Onion (1kg)
$0.56
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$2.82
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.15
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.13
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.13
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.50
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$75.12
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$56.34
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$262.93
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$169.02
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$75.12
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$31.93
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.51
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$3.76
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.02
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$30.05
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$37.56
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$26.29
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$112.68
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
20%
Mwanza Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Mwanza offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable dining and housing options.

Transportation costs are minimal, making it easy to navigate the city without a significant financial burden.

Grocery prices are generally low, allowing residents to maintain a healthy diet without overspending.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mwanza provides an affordable living environment with reasonable costs across various categories.

Whether you're considering moving to Mwanza or planning a visit, understanding these expenses can help you manage your budget effectively.