Cost of living in Zambia compared to Bangladesh
Currency:
Food | + 3% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zambia is about the same as in Bangladesh | ||||
Zambia | Bangladesh | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 75 Kwacha (Taka 369) | Taka 253 | + 46% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 118 Kwacha (Taka 584) | Taka 518 | + 13% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 37 Kwacha (Taka 184) | Taka 234 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Kwacha (Taka 155) | Taka 91 | + 71% | |
12 eggs, large | 39 Kwacha (Taka 191) | Taka 150 | + 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kwacha (Taka 140) | Taka 78 | + 80% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 310 Kwacha (Taka 1,528) | Taka 476 | + 221% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 68 Kwacha (Taka 338) | Taka 307 | + 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kwacha (Taka 104) | Taka 56 | + 86% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Kwacha (Taka 115) | Taka 407 | - 72% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 314 Kwacha (Taka 1,551) | Taka 1,613 | - 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 30 Kwacha (Taka 149) | Taka 136 | + 10% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 25 Kwacha (Taka 122) | Taka 72 | + 69% | |
Housing | + 170% | |||
Housing in Zambia is 170% more expensive than in Bangladesh | ||||
Zambia | Bangladesh | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,033 Kwacha (Taka 98,812) | Taka 40,565 | + 144% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,771 Kwacha (Taka 33,400) | Taka 22,239 | + 50% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 544 Kwacha (Taka 2,685) | Taka 4,221 | - 36% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (Taka 73,987) | Taka 50,272 | + 47% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,972 Kwacha (Taka 24,524) | Taka 31,111 | - 21% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 405 Kwacha (Taka 1,997) | Taka 5,000 | - 60% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,207 Kwacha (Taka 15,819) | Taka 1,266 | + 1150% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,682 Kwacha (Taka 13,227) | Taka 49,805 | - 73% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,000 Kwacha (Taka 34,527) | Taka 15,000 | + 130% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45 Kwacha (Taka 222) | Taka 568 | - 61% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (Taka 247) | - | - | |
Clothes | + 27% | |||
Clothes in Zambia is 27% more expensive than in Bangladesh | ||||
Zambia | Bangladesh | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha (Taka 2,466) | Taka 2,505 | - 2% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500 Kwacha (Taka 2,466) | Taka 2,407 | + 2% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,042 Kwacha (Taka 10,071) | Taka 5,268 | + 91% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 Kwacha (Taka 8,878) | Taka 4,284 | + 107% | |
Transportation | + 24% | |||
Transportation in Zambia is 24% more expensive than in Bangladesh | ||||
Zambia | Bangladesh | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 355,205 Kwacha (Taka 1,752,040) | Taka 3,757,380 | - 53% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 Kwacha (Taka 164) | Taka 110 | + 49% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 992 Kwacha (Taka 4,894) | Taka 2,433 | + 101% | |
Personal Care | + 5% | |||
Personal Care in Zambia is 5% more expensive than in Bangladesh | ||||
Zambia | Bangladesh | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 116 Kwacha (Taka 571) | Taka 250 | + 128% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 72 Kwacha (Taka 355) | Taka 308 | + 15% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 337 Kwacha (Taka 1,660) | Taka 1,500 | + 11% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 87 Kwacha (Taka 427) | Taka 360 | + 19% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61 Kwacha (Taka 302) | Taka 191 | + 58% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 60 Kwacha (Taka 296) | Taka 794 | - 63% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 Kwacha (Taka 197) | Taka 158 | + 25% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha (Taka 123) | Taka 200 | - 38% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | Taka 205 | - | |
Entertainment | - 21% | |||
Entertainment in Zambia is 21% cheaper than in Bangladesh | ||||
Zambia | Bangladesh | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Kwacha (Taka 2,466) | Taka 1,513 | + 63% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 69 Kwacha (Taka 341) | Taka 1,024 | - 67% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha (Taka 1,480) | Taka 3,000 | - 51% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha (Taka 1,973) | Taka 3,597 | - 45% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 50 Kwacha (Taka 247) | Taka 1,519 | - 84% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 Kwacha (Taka 173) | Taka 253 | - 32% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Kwacha (Taka 293) | Taka 606 | - 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,000 Kwacha (Taka 29,595) | Taka 35,756 | - 17% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (Taka 10) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 Kwacha (Taka 2,305) | Taka 2,307 | - 0% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 50 Kwacha (Taka 248) | Taka 331 | - 25% | |
TOTAL | + 40% |

These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.932
BDT
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 40% more expensive than in Bangladesh
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