Cost of living and prices in Mbeya, prices of food, rent, shopping, etc. Updated 2023
Mbeya is a city in southwest Tanzania. It sits at the base of soaring Loleza Peak, between the Mbeya and Poroto mountain ranges. On the town’s outskirts is Lake Ngozi, a huge crater lake surrounded by dense forest rich in birdlife. Kitulo Plateau National Park, southeast of the city, is known for its colorful wild flowers. Farther south is Matema Beach, a resort town on the shores of the vast, fish-filled Lake Nyasa.
Cost of living in Mbeya, seems expensive according to the average monthly salary. For more insights check the list of average prices of Restaurants, Markets, Transportation, Utilities, and other important categories/items.
| MARKET ITEMS | PRICE ESTIME | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 2,964.28 TSh | |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 1,377.78 TSh | |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 2,315.79 TSh | |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 4,852.94 TSh | |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 22,375.00 TSh | |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 10,730.77 TSh | |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 9,071.43 TSh | |
| Apples (1kg) | 6,323.08 TSh | |
| Banana (1kg) | 2,053.85 TSh | |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2,291.67 TSh | |
| Tomato (1kg) | 2,375.00 TSh | |
| Potato (1kg) | 1,526.89 TSh | |
| Onion (1kg) | 2,581.25 TSh | |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1,427.27 TSh | |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 1,077.78 TSh | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 15,000.00TSh | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 2,191.67 TSh | |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3,920.00 TSh | |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 3,600. TSh |
| RESTAURANTS | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 7,000.00 TSh | |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 57,500.00 TSh | |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 13,500.00 TSh | |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 2,500.00 TSh | |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 4,600.00 TSh | |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 4,482.14 TSh | |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 1,436.37 TSh | |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 813.31 TSh |
| TRANSPORTATION | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 400.00 TSh | |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 15,000.00 TSh | |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 5,000.00 TSh | |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 3,000.00 TSh | |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 7,500.00 TSh | |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 2,268.21 TSh | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW (Equivalent New Car) | 45,000,000.00 TSh | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW (Equivalent New Car) | 15,530,560.00 TSh |
| UTILITIES (MONTHLY) | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 157,091.84 TSh | |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | 294.17 TSh | |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL | 142,472.25 TSh | |
| SPORTS AND LEISURE | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 130,833.33 TSh | |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 28,491.98 TSh | |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 10,000.00 TSh | |
| CHILD CARE | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Monthly for 1 | 1,040,839.30 TSh | |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | 11,256,005.33 TSh | |
| CLOTHING AND SHOE | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 52,916.67 TSh | |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 75,000.00 TSh | |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 132,500.00 TSh | |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 122,692.31 TSh | |
| RENT PER MONTH | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 666,901.40 TSh | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 657,110.46 TSh | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1,752,185.26 TSh | |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1,500,642.27 TSh | |
| BUY APPARTMENT | PRICE ESTIMATE | PRICE RANGE |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City! | 4,573,643.80 TSh | |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside city | 2,102,968.27 TSh | |
| SALARIES AND FINANCING | PRICE ESTIMATE | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 531,940.38 TSh | |