- Cost of Living
- Zambia
- Ethiopia
- Lusaka
- Addis Ababa
- Comparison
Cost of living in Lusaka, Zambia compared to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Currency:
Food | - 64% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Lusaka (Zambia) is 64% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 7 Kwacha (19 Birr) | 161 Birr | - 88% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 50 Kwacha (144 Birr) | 138 Birr | + 5% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 2.37 Kwacha (7 Birr) | 170 Birr | - 96% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 12 Kwacha (35 Birr) | 23 Birr | + 51% | |
12 eggs, large | 1.98 Kwacha (5.68 Birr) | 50 Birr | - 89% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1.38 Kwacha (3.96 Birr) | 26 Birr | - 85% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 6 Kwacha (17 Birr) | 133 Birr | - 87% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2.84 Kwacha (8 Birr) | 88 Birr | - 91% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.30 Kwacha (15 Birr) | 15 Birr | + 4% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 1.50 Kwacha (4.30 Birr) | 18 Birr | - 76% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 12 Kwacha (33 Birr) | 184 Birr | - 82% | |
2 liters of Coca-Cola | 18 Kwacha (51 Birr) | 41 Birr | + 26% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1.07 Kwacha (3.07 Birr) | 16 Birr | - 80% | |
Housing | - 79% | |||
Housing in Lusaka (Zambia) is 79% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 1,783 Kwacha (5,116 Birr) | 37,409 Birr | - 86% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 1,100 Kwacha (3,156 Birr) | 18,922 Birr | - 83% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 394 Kwacha (1,129 Birr) | 2,519 Birr | - 55% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 593 Kwacha (1,700 Birr) | 16,258 Birr | - 90% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 366 Kwacha (1,049 Birr) | 10,556 Birr | - 90% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 477 Kwacha (1,370 Birr) | 2,887 Birr | - 53% | |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 90 Kwacha (258 Birr) | 2,586 Birr | - 90% | |
40” flat screen TV | 8,206 Kwacha (23,544 Birr) | 16,198 Birr | + 45% | |
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,348 Kwacha (3,868 Birr) | 4,197 Birr | - 8% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 47 Kwacha (136 Birr) | 95 Birr | + 43% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 47 Kwacha (136 Birr) | 179 Birr | - 24% | |
Clothes | - 85% | |||
Clothes in Lusaka (Zambia) is 85% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 225 Kwacha (646 Birr) | 701 Birr | - 8% | |
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 28 Kwacha (79 Birr) | 1,170 Birr | - 93% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 99 Kwacha (284 Birr) | 2,247 Birr | - 87% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 68 Kwacha (194 Birr) | 2,025 Birr | - 90% | |
Transportation | - 49% | |||
Transportation in Lusaka (Zambia) is 49% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 16,323 Kwacha (46,831 Birr) | 754,439 Birr | - 94% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 1.79 Kwacha (5.14 Birr) | 20 Birr | - 75% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 252 Kwacha (723 Birr) | 645 Birr | + 12% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 104 Kwacha (297 Birr) | 287 Birr | + 4% | |
Personal Care | + 38% | |||
Personal Care in Lusaka (Zambia) is 38% more expensive than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 46 Kwacha (131 Birr) | 84 Birr | + 56% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 48 Kwacha (139 Birr) | 80 Birr | + 73% | |
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | 359 Kwacha (1,029 Birr) | 522 Birr | + 97% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 39 Kwacha (112 Birr) | 90 Birr | + 24% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 34 Kwacha (99 Birr) | 100 Birr | - 1% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 33 Kwacha (95 Birr) | 94 Birr | + 1% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 22 Kwacha (64 Birr) | 42 Birr | + 52% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 13 Kwacha (37 Birr) | 51 Birr | - 27% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 68 Kwacha (194 Birr) | 110 Birr | + 77% | |
Entertainment | - 61% | |||
Entertainment in Lusaka (Zambia) is 61% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 253 Kwacha (725 Birr) | 313 Birr | + 132% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 11 Kwacha (32 Birr) | 169 Birr | - 81% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 272 Kwacha (779 Birr) | 3,980 Birr | - 80% | |
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 405 Kwacha (1,162 Birr) | 978 Birr | + 19% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 40 Kwacha (114 Birr) | 120 Birr | - 5% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2.12 Kwacha (6 Birr) | 32 Birr | - 81% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2.20 Kwacha (6 Birr) | 30 Birr | - 79% | |
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | 4,254 Kwacha (12,206 Birr) | 12,116 Birr | + 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.20 Kwacha (0.57 Birr) | 36 Birr | - 98% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 200 Kwacha (574 Birr) | 1,475 Birr | - 61% | |
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | 20 Kwacha (58 Birr) | 97 Birr | - 40% | |
TOTAL | - 63% |

These prices were last updated on April 19, 2018.
Exchange rate:
2.869
ETB
/
ZMW
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Cost of living in Lusaka (Zambia) is 63% cheaper than in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
103,000 Birr
in Addis Ababa
you would need to make just about 38,175 Birr
(13,306 Kwacha)
in Lusaka.
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