Cost of living in Zambia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 37% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 56 Kwacha (27元) | 46元 | - 43% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 53 Kwacha (25元) | 34元 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 42 Kwacha (20元) | 16元 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 17 Kwacha (8元) | 15元 | - 46% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 15 Kwacha (7元) | 14元 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11 Kwacha (5.02元) | 8元 | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 55 Kwacha (26元) | 61元 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 33 Kwacha (16元) | 15元 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Kwacha (9元) | 5.88元 | + 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 11 Kwacha (5.48元) | 5.16元 | + 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 123 Kwacha (58元) | 109元 | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 15 Kwacha (7元) | 8元 | - 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10 Kwacha (4.62元) | 14元 | - 67% | |
| Housing | - 6% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 6% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,428 Kwacha (5,449元) | 9,288元 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 4,611 Kwacha (2,199元) | 5,014元 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 814 Kwacha (388元) | 422元 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (7,153元) | 5,505元 | + 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 9,000 Kwacha (4,292元) | 3,029元 | + 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,039 Kwacha (495元) | 276元 | + 79% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 300 Kwacha (143元) | 98元 | + 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,580 Kwacha (2,184元) | 2,471元 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,372 Kwacha (654元) | 563元 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 78 Kwacha (37元) | 40元 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 85 Kwacha (41元) | 46元 | - 12% | |
| Clothes | - 37% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 37% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 486 Kwacha (232元) | 468元 | - 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 409 Kwacha (195元) | 255元 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 621 Kwacha (296元) | 654元 | - 55% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 606 Kwacha (289元) | 642元 | - 55% | |
| Transportation | + 19% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 19% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 170,622 Kwacha (81,361元) | 133,798元 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 15 Kwacha (7元) | 7元 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 590 Kwacha (281元) | 147元 | + 92% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 49% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37 Kwacha (18元) | 38元 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 49 Kwacha (23元) | 43元 | - 46% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 306 Kwacha (146元) | 347元 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 47 Kwacha (22元) | 62元 | - 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha (18元) | 47元 | - 61% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 42 Kwacha (20元) | 31元 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 24 Kwacha (11元) | 9元 | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 14 Kwacha (7元) | 12元 | - 44% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 64 Kwacha (31元) | 71元 | - 57% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 210 Kwacha (100元) | 179元 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 93 Kwacha (44元) | 99元 | - 55% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha (143元) | 1,063元 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 297 Kwacha (142元) | 395元 | - 64% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 55 Kwacha (26元) | 68元 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 32 Kwacha (15元) | 33元 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15 Kwacha (7元) | 31元 | - 77% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 5,697 Kwacha (2,717元) | 3,258元 | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.75 Kwacha (1.79元) | 0.38元 | + 366% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 667 Kwacha (318元) | 340元 | - 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30 Kwacha (14元) | 22元 | - 34% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,323 prices entered by 394 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.47685
CNY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 17% cheaper than in China
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