Cost of living in Zambia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 25% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 139 Kwacha (42元) | 50元 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 74 Kwacha (23元) | 36元 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 42 Kwacha (13元) | 15元 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 17 Kwacha (5.27元) | 14元 | - 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 21 Kwacha (6元) | 13元 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 48 Kwacha (15元) | 8元 | + 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Kwacha (41元) | 56元 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 47 Kwacha (14元) | 12元 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Kwacha (5.59元) | 6元 | - 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 33 Kwacha (10元) | 6元 | + 68% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 164 Kwacha (50元) | 91元 | - 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 23 Kwacha (7元) | 9元 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Kwacha (3.90元) | 10元 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,861 Kwacha (3,620元) | 7,221元 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,814 Kwacha (2,385元) | 4,585元 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 668 Kwacha (204元) | 451元 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (4,578元) | 6,526元 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,731 Kwacha (2,054元) | 3,490元 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 350 Kwacha (107元) | 300元 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 829 Kwacha (253元) | 78元 | + 222% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,500 Kwacha (763元) | 1,937元 | - 61% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,981 Kwacha (605元) | 630元 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 131 Kwacha (40元) | 46元 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (15元) | 47元 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 23% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 794 Kwacha (242元) | 388元 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 670 Kwacha (204元) | 221元 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 833 Kwacha (254元) | 541元 | - 53% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,256 Kwacha (383元) | 505元 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 15% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 142,791元 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 17 Kwacha (5.12元) | 6元 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 448 Kwacha (137元) | 191元 | - 29% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 48% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37 Kwacha (11元) | 29元 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50 Kwacha (15元) | 37元 | - 58% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 374 Kwacha (114元) | 372元 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 140 Kwacha (43元) | 28元 | + 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha (12元) | 38元 | - 69% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha (32元) | 35元 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha (9元) | 9元 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha (8元) | 10元 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha (50元) | 69元 | - 27% | |
| Entertainment | - 51% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 51% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 263 Kwacha (80元) | 184元 | - 56% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 221 Kwacha (68元) | 90元 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha (61元) | 804元 | - 92% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 434 Kwacha (132元) | 413元 | - 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 45 Kwacha (14元) | 70元 | - 81% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30 Kwacha (9元) | 33元 | - 72% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15 Kwacha (4.58元) | 31元 | - 85% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,893 Kwacha (1,188元) | 3,170元 | - 63% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.55元 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 919 Kwacha (281元) | 395元 | - 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 35 Kwacha (11元) | 22元 | - 51% | |
| TOTAL | - 30% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,898 prices entered by 211 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.30520
CNY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 30% cheaper than in China
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