Plenty of people who fall for Zanzibar rent before they buy. It is a sensible way to learn the island, test an area through a rainy season, and work out whether the lifestyle fits. This guide covers what long-term rent costs, the permit you need to stay, and what to check before you sign.
Crowd-sourced data from Numbeo puts a one-bedroom apartment at roughly TSh 265,000 to TSh 400,000 a month, while agencies quote around US$500 a month for a long-term one-bedroom rental. To stay longer than 90 days, you need a residence permit, not a tourist visa.
It depends heavily on what you rent and where. Numbeo's figures, based on a small sample of 59 entries from 8 contributors, give these monthly estimates:
| Property | Central | Outside the centre |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | TSh 398,240 | TSh 265,494 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | TSh 530,987 | TSh 398,240 |
Agency estimates are much higher. One local agency puts a long-term, one-bedroom rental at about US$500 a month.
The gap is large, and it most likely reflects two different markets. Numbeo captures a broad mix of local rentals. Agency figures describe furnished homes in the areas and developments foreign residents tend to choose. Use the lower figures as a floor and the agency figures as a guide to the expat market.
Because it is a different product, taxed differently. Homes rented to tourists, including through online platforms, pay a hotel levy of 15% of the rental value to the Zanzibar Revenue Authority, and they must be licensed with the tourism commission. Owners also price in empty weeks and cleaning between guests.
A long let spreads the landlord's costs over months of guaranteed rent. That is why a monthly rate negotiated directly for six or twelve months is usually far lower than thirty nights booked on a holiday site. If you plan to stay a season or more, ask owners of holiday homes whether they would consider a long let.
Not beyond 90 days. Tanzania's Ordinary visa costs US$50 and is valid for up to 90 days, and it does not allow you to work. The Immigration Department states that foreigners who want to stay for more than 90 days need a residence permit.
There are three main classes, according to the Immigration Department:
Applications should be made from outside the country. Investors registered with the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority can apply through its office. Rules change, so check the current requirements before you plan a move.
Zanzibar has two rainy seasons. The long rains run from March to May, and the short rains from mid-October to December. If you can, view a property during the rains. You will find out quickly whether the roof leaks, the road floods or the power drops.
Rent first if you are unsure where to settle. Our Zanzibar location guide explains how the areas differ. If renting convinces you to stay, compare it with the cost of buying: a one-bedroom apartment is currently listed at US$132,900 and a two-bedroom apartment at US$165,200. Our guide to property prices in Zanzibar has the wider picture, or browse properties for sale in Zanzibar.
Rents are third-party estimates as of September 2026 and change often. Immigration and tax rules change too. Check current requirements with the official authorities, and take independent legal advice before you sign a lease or buy.
