How Rich are People in Dar es Salaam, TZ?
Understanding wealth in a large city like Dar es Salaam, which has a population of around 5.4 million people, requires looking at different income levels and the cost of daily life. There isn’t just one answer, as wealth is spread very unevenly across the city.
Based on available data, like that from sources such as Numbeo, the estimated average net monthly salary after tax in Dar es Salaam is around 700,000 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). This figure is an estimate based on surveys and may not capture everyone’s situation, but it gives a general idea of typical formal sector earnings for some residents.
Comparing this salary to the cost of living shows the financial reality for many. According to Numbeo data, a single person’s estimated monthly costs without rent can be around 800,000 TZS. Adding rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center, which might be around 400,000 TZS, brings the total close to 1.2 million TZS. This suggests that for someone earning the average salary mentioned, covering basic living costs, especially including rent, can be challenging. Many people in Dar es Salaam work in informal sectors or have multiple income sources, and wages vary significantly.
This brings us to the issue of inequality. Like many large cities, Dar es Salaam has a significant gap between lower-income residents and the wealthy. While some people struggle with basic costs, others have considerable wealth. This difference is often visible in housing quality, access to services, and daily lifestyle. You see public transport options like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system used by many, but the wealthy primarily use private cars.
Wealthier residents tend to live in specific neighborhoods known for larger houses, better infrastructure, and more security. Areas like Masaki, Oysterbay, Ada Estate, and parts of the peninsula are typically where the city’s richest residents reside. Their lifestyle involves larger, often walled properties, private security, owning multiple cars, sending children to private international schools, frequent travel, and access to high-end goods and services not available to the majority.
The highest incomes in Dar es Salaam are often found in sectors like finance, telecommunications, energy and mining (especially in senior or expatriate roles), large import/export businesses, international organizations (NGOs, embassies), and successful private sector entrepreneurs running large companies. Senior government officials and politicians also represent a segment of the higher-income population.
In summary, while average income figures suggest financial challenges for many residents when compared to living costs, Dar es Salaam is also home to a significant wealthy class concentrated in specific areas, earning much higher incomes from key economic sectors and living a markedly different lifestyle.