Cost of living in Kabwe, Zambia vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 80% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kabwe (Zambia) is 80% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47 Kwacha ($2.15) | $19 | - 89% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 65 Kwacha ($2.99) | $11 | - 72% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 25 Kwacha ($1.15) | $5.19 | - 78% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 19 Kwacha ($0.85) | $1.21 | - 29% | |
12 eggs, large | 27 Kwacha ($1.24) | $3.92 | - 68% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 Kwacha ($0.46) | $4.21 | - 89% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 60 Kwacha ($2.76) | $7 | - 61% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 25 Kwacha ($1.15) | $4.37 | - 74% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 13 Kwacha ($0.57) | $2.38 | - 76% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 13 Kwacha ($0.60) | $2.95 | - 80% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 73 Kwacha ($3.33) | $18 | - 82% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 14 Kwacha ($0.63) | $2.37 | - 73% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 8 Kwacha ($0.37) | $2.24 | - 84% | |
Housing | - 68% | |||
Housing in Kabwe (Zambia) is 68% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 18,000 Kwacha ($828) | $3,253 | - 75% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 15,000 Kwacha ($690) | $2,659 | - 74% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 5,000 Kwacha ($230) | $149 | + 54% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 20,000 Kwacha ($920) | $2,294 | - 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,500 Kwacha ($345) | $1,555 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 2,000 Kwacha ($92) | $114 | - 19% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 200 Kwacha ($9) | $38 | - 76% | |
40” flat screen tv | 3,000 Kwacha ($138) | $329 | - 58% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha ($46) | $128 | - 64% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 50 Kwacha ($2.30) | $10 | - 78% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha ($2.30) | $37 | - 94% | |
Clothes | - 46% | |||
Clothes in Kabwe (Zambia) is 46% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha ($23) | $49 | - 53% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 623 Kwacha ($29) | $50 | - 43% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,200 Kwacha ($55) | $89 | - 38% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,000 Kwacha ($46) | $112 | - 59% | |
Transportation | - 70% | |||
Transportation in Kabwe (Zambia) is 70% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 100,000 Kwacha ($4,598) | $23,712 | - 81% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 13 Kwacha ($0.59) | $0.92 | - 36% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 400 Kwacha ($18) | $81 | - 77% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | $19 | - | |
Personal Care | - 66% | |||
Personal Care in Kabwe (Zambia) is 66% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 10 Kwacha ($0.46) | $7 | - 93% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $21 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 400 Kwacha ($18) | $110 | - 83% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 50 Kwacha ($2.30) | $7 | - 67% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 50 Kwacha ($2.30) | $3.71 | - 38% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 70 Kwacha ($3.22) | $5.68 | - 43% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 15 Kwacha ($0.69) | $3.57 | - 81% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha ($1.13) | $1.93 | - 41% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 40 Kwacha ($1.84) | $21 | - 91% | |
Entertainment | - 70% | |||
Entertainment in Kabwe (Zambia) is 70% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 400 Kwacha ($18) | $50 | - 63% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 100 Kwacha ($4.60) | $27 | - 83% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha ($9) | $202 | - 95% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha ($18) | $89 | - 79% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 70 Kwacha ($3.22) | $13 | - 75% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 50 Kwacha ($2.30) | $5.70 | - 60% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 23 Kwacha ($1.04) | $8 | - 87% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 900 Kwacha ($41) | $436 | - 90% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.43 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 525 Kwacha ($24) | $62 | - 61% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20 Kwacha ($0.92) | $9 | - 90% | |
TOTAL | - 70% |

These prices were last updated on February 26, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.04598
USD
/
ZMW
Do you live in San Jose, California? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Montevideo is 76% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Valencia is 87% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Madrid is 139% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Barcelona is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Auckland is 42% more expensive than in Barcelona
- Cost of living in London is 67% more expensive than in Barcelona
- Cost of living in Milan is 86% more expensive than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in London is 19% more expensive than in Paris
- Cost of living in Paris is 637% more expensive than in Caracas
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 42% cheaper than in Santiago
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Calgary (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Quelimane (Mozambique)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mutare (Zimbabwe)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Manama (Bahrain)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Francisco, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Port Louis (Mauritius)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Diego, California (United States)
Cost of living in Kabwe (Zambia) is 70% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,000 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $2,692 (58,535 Kwacha) in Kabwe.
Prices recently added
- Monthly rent - 480 sqft furnished studio in normal area in San Francisco, California costs $3,532 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Kathmandu costs ₨ 150 (about 1 hour ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota costs $2,033 (about 1 hour ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Mexico City costs Mex$ 500 (about 1 hour ago)
- Utilities, monthly for 2 people in 85 m2 in Kuwait City costs Dinar 10 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 kg of apples in Indore costs ₨100 (about 5 hours ago)