City in Arusha Region, Tanzania
Cost of living in Arusha
How much a month costs in Arusha
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $831–1,430 (TSh2.2M–3.8M).
Prices in Arusha
Typical 2026 ranges in TZS, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | TZS | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | TSh600,000–1.4M | $227–529 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | TSh350,000–800,000 | $132–302 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | TSh20,000–45,000 | $7.6–17.0 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | TSh80,000–200,000 | $30–76 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | TSh3,000–9,000 | $1.1–3.4 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | TSh18,000–40,000 | $6.8–15.1 |
| Cappuccino | TSh3,500–8,000 | $1.3–3.0 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | TSh2,500–6,000 | $0.9–2.3 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | TSh500–1,000 | $0.19–0.38 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | TSh6,000–15,000 | $2.3–5.7 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | TSh60,000–150,000 | $23–57 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | TSh15,000–40,000 | $5.7–15.1 |
Value for money: 67/100
A value score of 67/100 means Arusha gives more quality of life per dollar than 66% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 50/100. It's the 2nd most affordable of 7 places we cover in Tanzania.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Tanzania
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Moshi | $680–1,210 | 86/100 |
| Arusha | $831–1,430 | 67/100 |
| Dar es Salaam | $944–1,700 | 55/100 |
| Paje | $944–1,700 | 53/100 |
| Zanzibar | $1,060–1,810 | 46/100 |
| Stone Town | $1,060–1,810 | 46/100 |
| Nungwi | $1,060–1,810 | 46/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Arusha
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Arusha?
About $340–566 on a lean budget, $831–1,430 for a comfortable month and $2,270–4,150 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Arusha?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs TSh600,000–1.4M ($227–529) a month in the center and TSh350,000–800,000 ($132–302) outside it.
How much does food cost in Arusha?
A local meal is TSh3,000–9,000 ($1.1–3.4); a mid-range restaurant is TSh18,000–40,000 ($6.8–15.1) per person.
Is Tanzania expensive?
Prices in Tanzania are about 29% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Arusha
Going to Arusha solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.