Cost of living in Zambia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 55 Kwacha (20元) | 56元 | - 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 65 Kwacha (23元) | 41元 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 75 Kwacha (27元) | 14元 | + 86% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 16 Kwacha (5.86元) | 17元 | - 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 64 Kwacha (23元) | 20元 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 34 Kwacha (12元) | 10元 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 125 Kwacha (45元) | 57元 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 27 Kwacha (10元) | 16元 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 41 Kwacha (15元) | 7元 | + 120% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 22 Kwacha (8元) | 6.00元 | + 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 180 Kwacha (64元) | 129元 | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 27 Kwacha (10元) | 11元 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 18 Kwacha (6元) | 13元 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 5% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 5% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,083 Kwacha (1,813元) | 13,117元 | - 86% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 18,321 Kwacha (6,537元) | 7,964元 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 4,574 Kwacha (1,632元) | 401元 | + 307% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 30,000 Kwacha (10,704元) | 8,919元 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 26,000 Kwacha (9,276元) | 4,611元 | + 101% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | - | 242元 | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 666 Kwacha (238元) | 117元 | + 102% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 6,200 Kwacha (2,212元) | 1,521元 | + 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,500 Kwacha (1,249元) | 661元 | + 89% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 126 Kwacha (45元) | 56元 | - 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 54元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 19% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 19% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,750 Kwacha (624元) | 491元 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 850 Kwacha (303元) | 261元 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,850 Kwacha (660元) | 609元 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,300 Kwacha (821元) | 662元 | + 24% | |
| Transportation | + 20% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 20% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 360,000 Kwacha (128,443元) | 150,872元 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 27 Kwacha (9元) | 9元 | + 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 850 Kwacha (303元) | 197元 | + 54% | |
| Personal Care | + 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 16% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 350 Kwacha (125元) | 29元 | + 326% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 142 Kwacha (51元) | 23元 | + 124% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 850 Kwacha (303元) | 371元 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 54 Kwacha (19元) | 37元 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha (14元) | 23元 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha (38元) | 33元 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha (10元) | 14元 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha (9元) | 13元 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha (59元) | 63元 | - 6% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 23% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 370 Kwacha (132元) | 267元 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 145 Kwacha (52元) | 114元 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha (71元) | 1,234元 | - 94% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 935 Kwacha (334元) | 473元 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 81元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 65 Kwacha (23元) | 35元 | - 34% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25 Kwacha (9元) | 31元 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 18,000 Kwacha (6,422元) | 3,289元 | + 95% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (0.71元) | 0.24元 | + 194% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 526 Kwacha (188元) | 449元 | - 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 37 Kwacha (13元) | 29元 | - 54% | |
| TOTAL | - 6% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,135 prices entered by 122 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.35679
CNY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 6% cheaper than in China
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