Cost of living in Tanzania compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Tanzania is 31% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Tanzania | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 19,450 Shilling (¥1,100) | ¥1,035 | + 6% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 14,500 Shilling (¥820) | ¥820 | - 0% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 11,190 Shilling (¥633) | ¥618 | + 2% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 4,500 Shilling (¥254) | ¥237 | + 7% | |
12 eggs, large | 5,326 Shilling (¥301) | ¥335 | - 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 3,843 Shilling (¥217) | ¥439 | - 50% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 19,552 Shilling (¥1,106) | ¥1,195 | - 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4,104 Shilling (¥232) | ¥822 | - 72% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 2,622 Shilling (¥148) | ¥509 | - 71% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1,999 Shilling (¥113) | ¥312 | - 64% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 34,986 Shilling (¥1,978) | ¥1,267 | + 56% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,167 Shilling (¥123) | ¥276 | - 56% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,488 Shilling (¥84) | ¥293 | - 71% | |
Housing | - 62% | |||
Housing in Tanzania is 62% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Tanzania | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 1,300,940 Shilling (¥73,561) | ¥365,082 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 487,138 Shilling (¥27,545) | ¥197,811 | - 86% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 128,282 Shilling (¥7,254) | ¥19,132 | - 62% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 869,187 Shilling (¥49,148) | ¥145,654 | - 66% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 507,522 Shilling (¥28,698) | ¥106,059 | - 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 268,102 Shilling (¥15,160) | ¥8,349 | + 82% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 64,659 Shilling (¥3,656) | ¥4,448 | - 18% | |
40” flat screen tv | 834,854 Shilling (¥47,206) | ¥74,559 | - 37% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 276,167 Shilling (¥15,616) | ¥25,414 | - 39% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 25,506 Shilling (¥1,442) | ¥1,338 | + 8% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
Clothes | - 51% | |||
Clothes in Tanzania is 51% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Tanzania | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 22,603 Shilling (¥1,278) | ¥9,315 | - 86% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 78,641 Shilling (¥4,447) | ¥5,103 | - 13% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 95,225 Shilling (¥5,384) | ¥10,686 | - 50% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 53,184 Shilling (¥3,007) | ¥12,189 | - 75% | |
Transportation | - 50% | |||
Transportation in Tanzania is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Tanzania | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 42,500,700 Shilling (¥2,403,183) | ¥3,060,780 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 3,200 Shilling (¥181) | ¥169 | + 7% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 36,792 Shilling (¥2,080) | ¥8,198 | - 75% | |
Personal Care | - 46% | |||
Personal Care in Tanzania is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Tanzania | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 12,188 Shilling (¥689) | ¥2,133 | - 68% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 10,547 Shilling (¥596) | ¥2,551 | - 77% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 30,000 Shilling (¥1,696) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 20,000 Shilling (¥1,131) | ¥1,337 | - 15% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 8,373 Shilling (¥473) | ¥930 | - 49% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 7,500 Shilling (¥424) | ¥622 | - 32% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 4,711 Shilling (¥266) | ¥224 | + 19% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 5,050 Shilling (¥286) | ¥188 | + 52% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 12,832 Shilling (¥726) | ¥4,604 | - 84% | |
Entertainment | - 5% | |||
Entertainment in Tanzania is 5% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Tanzania | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 95,475 Shilling (¥5,399) | ¥4,908 | + 10% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 18,408 Shilling (¥1,041) | ¥3,881 | - 73% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 40,000 Shilling (¥2,262) | ¥7,212 | - 69% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 64,935 Shilling (¥3,672) | ¥8,269 | - 56% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 5,922 Shilling (¥335) | ¥1,244 | - 73% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 5,264 Shilling (¥298) | ¥547 | - 46% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,192 Shilling (¥124) | ¥674 | - 82% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,500,000 Shilling (¥197,906) | ¥51,659 | + 283% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 150,000 Shilling (¥8,482) | ¥9,530 | - 11% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5,795 Shilling (¥328) | ¥613 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 44% |

These prices were last updated on July 02, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05654
JPY
/
TZS
Cost of living in Tanzania is 44% cheaper than in Japan
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