Cost of living in Nairobi (Kenya) is 34% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 183 prices entered by 41 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nairobi (Kenya) is 11% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling592 (94 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | - 29% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling748 (118 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 75% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling376 (60 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling119 (19 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Shilling226 (36 Kwacha) | 25 Kwacha | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling117 (19 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling718 (114 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling275 (44 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling109 (17 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling238 (38 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 81% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,579 (250 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | + 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling172 (27 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 30% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling63 (10 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | - 33% | |
| Housing | + 47% | |||
| Housing in Nairobi (Kenya) is 47% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling130,395 (20,663 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling56,145 (8,897 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling9,180 (1,455 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 166% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling54,933 (8,705 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling23,400 (3,708 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling5,551 (880 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 109% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling5,873 (931 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 138% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Shilling43,448 (6,885 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling10,014 (1,587 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling985 (156 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 120% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling1,119 (177 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 215% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Nairobi (Kenya) is 16% cheaper than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling2,095 (332 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling2,759 (437 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling5,660 (897 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling5,773 (915 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 17% | |
| Transportation | + 44% | |||
| Transportation in Nairobi (Kenya) is 44% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling2,467,240 (390,976 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 66% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling161 (25 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling4,100 (650 Kwacha) | 425 Kwacha | + 53% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Shilling1,241 (197 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | + 12% | |
| Personal Care | + 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Nairobi (Kenya) is 49% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling276 (44 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | - 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling1,324 (210 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 258% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling2,897 (459 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | + 48% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling351 (56 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling366 (58 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling493 (78 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 91% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling140 (22 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | - 16% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Shilling157 (25 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling791 (125 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | - 21% | |
| Entertainment | + 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Nairobi (Kenya) is 48% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling3,930 (623 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 121% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,586 (251 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,560 (406 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling4,162 (660 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling1,158 (183 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 301% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling290 (46 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling260 (41 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 144% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling45,453 (7,203 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.09 (0.65 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | - 52% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling5,760 (913 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | + 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling306 (48 Kwacha) | 32 Kwacha | + 50% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 34% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 183 prices entered by 41 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.15847
ZMW
/
KES
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For example, you would need at least 51,069 Kwacha (Shilling322,266) in Nairobi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 38,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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