Zanzibar, Tanzania

Cost of Living in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Zanzibar costs approximately $889 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $151. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Zanzibar is a city in Tanzania, where a single person can expect to spend about $889 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $151 per month, or $101 outside the centre. Internet is slow at around 21 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Zanzibar scores 62/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 82°F, with roughly 351 sunny days a year.

Top for National ParkTop for VolcanoTop for WildlifeTop for BeachTop for Boat TourFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$889≈ $30/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$151
Internet21 Mbps
Safety62/100
Avg Temp86°F

Zanzibar Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$4.85
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$22.30
McDonald's Combo Meal$5.82
Cappuccino$2.13
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$1.94
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.32

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.13
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$0.69
Eggs (12)$2.79
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$1.06
Apples (1 lb)$1.32
Bananas (1 lb)$0.53
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.26
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.44
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.48

🚌 Transportation

Taxi Start$3.88
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.25
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.12

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Mobile Phone Plan$11.63
Broadband Internet$50.41

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$30.05
Cinema Ticket$9.69

👔 Clothing

Nike Running Shoes$15.51

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$151.22
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$100.81
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$201.63
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$151.22
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$3,602.22
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$1,080.67

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$323.12
Mortgage Interest Rate10%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Zanzibar

Internet21 Mbps
Safety62/100
Healthcare45/100
Public Transit15/100
Walkability35/100
Nightlife25/100
Food Scene55/100
Fine Dining3/100
Coffee Culture30/100
Air Quality90/100
Green Spaces60/100
Culture55/100
Beaches90/100
Hiking50/100
Surfing25/100
Coworking Spaces5
US Visa-Free30 days

Zanzibar FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Zanzibar?

A single person should budget around $889 per month in Zanzibar, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Zanzibar?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Zanzibar averages $151 per month, dropping to about $101 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $202.

Is Zanzibar safe?

Zanzibar scores 62/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.

How fast is the internet in Zanzibar?

Median download speeds in Zanzibar are around 21 Mbps — slow for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 5 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Tanzania offer a digital nomad visa?

Tanzania does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 30 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Zanzibar?

Zanzibar sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 82°F, with about 351 sunny days and 217 rainy days per year.

Zanzibar in our travel guides

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