Cost of Living in Zanzibar, Tanzania
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 267 sunny days a year.
Zanzibar Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Zanzibar
How Zanzibar Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Zanzibar ranks in the top 16% for air quality, but sits in the bottom 4% for internet speed. It is cheaper than 79% of them.
| Metric | Zanzibar | World rank | Rank in Africa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $889 | #72 of 340 | #11 of 20 |
| Safety | 62/100 | #170 of 340 | #5 of 20 |
| Healthcare | 45/100 | #300 of 340 | #11 of 20 |
| Internet speed | 21 Mbps | #330 of 340 | #16 of 20 |
| Walkability | 35/100 | #281 of 340 | #13 of 20 |
| Public transit | 15/100 | #278 of 340 | #15 of 20 |
| Food scene | 55/100 | #316 of 340 | #16 of 20 |
| Air quality | 90/100 | #53 of 340 | #1 of 20 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Zanzibar
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Zanzibar.
- Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt — $671/mo, 25% cheaper, safety 62/100
- Essaouira, Morocco — $738/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 68/100 · Compare with Zanzibar
- Luxor, Egypt — $440/mo, 51% cheaper, safety 58/100 · Compare with Zanzibar
- Fes, Morocco — $583/mo, 34% cheaper, safety 60/100 · Compare with Zanzibar
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 267 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 102 days.
Zanzibar in our travel guides
Visa Requirements for Tanzania
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Tanzania and how to apply.
Explore More
See Zanzibar on the interactive map →