Skyline of Tete
Cost of Living: 72 300,000

Tete, Mozambique

Tete is a major city in Mozambique with a population of 300,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Tete is a city in Tete with a population of 300,000. Tete is a major city in Mozambique with a population of 300,000. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7b growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. A relatively small share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 280 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 17.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 72

Below Average vs Mozambique Avg (100)

Housing Index 78

Affordable

Median Income MT 216,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Tete vs Mozambique Average

Cost of Living
Tete: 72
Mozambique Avg: 100
Housing Index
Tete: 78
Mozambique Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 17.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: MT 216,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 300,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 65°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: MT4,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: MT12000/mo

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Cost of Living

Tete's cost of living index is 72 (Mozambique average = 100).

CategoryTeteNational AverageDifference
Overall72100-28.0%
Housing78100-22.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceMT4,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)MT12000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)MT15,000/mo
Price per Sq FtMT2,666

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

MT
%
$90,000 down
%
%
MT

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Tete:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityMT1500
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)MT32Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterMT500Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)MT2000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesMT4032Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Tete scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 72
Rent
— MT12000
Sunny Days
— 280
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 90°F / 65°F
Safety
— 3.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 300,000
Internet Speed
— 10 Mbps

Climate

Tete has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January85°F65°F2.5"
April75°F80°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F83°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Tete faces the following natural hazards:

Cyclone Extreme Risk

Frequently affected by cyclones.

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Flood High Risk

Cyclone-induced floods and river flooding.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Savanna wildfires.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 17%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year January to November/December
Term System Trimester — 1st (Jan-Apr), 2nd (May-Aug), 3rd (Sep-Nov)
Summer Break November/December to January (8 weeks)
Winter Break August (3 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks)

Portuguese-influenced education system.

Demographics

The population of Tete is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Lomwe
8.0%
Makua
26.0%
Other
55.0%
Tsonga
11.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.0%
High school graduate
20.0%
Less than high school
55.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Christian
56.0%
Folk
20.0%
Muslim
18.0%
Other
6.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Instituto Nacional de Estatística (2017)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tete, Mozambique?

The cost of living index in Tete is 72, which is Lower the Mozambique national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Tete?

The median home price in Tete is MT4,000,000. The housing index is 78.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tete is approximately MT12000/mo.

Does Tete, Tete have income tax?

Tete is in Tete, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Tete?

Tete enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 65°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.