Cost of living in Zambia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 28% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 75 Kwacha (19元) | 42元 | - 54% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 118 Kwacha (31元) | 36元 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 37 Kwacha (10元) | 15元 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Kwacha (8元) | 14元 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 39 Kwacha (10元) | 16元 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kwacha (7元) | 11元 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 310 Kwacha (81元) | 50元 | + 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 68 Kwacha (18元) | 16元 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kwacha (5.50元) | 7元 | - 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Kwacha (6元) | 7元 | - 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 314 Kwacha (82元) | 94元 | - 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 30 Kwacha (8元) | 9元 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 25 Kwacha (6元) | 13元 | - 49% | |
| Housing | + 5% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 5% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,033 Kwacha (5,218元) | 12,848元 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,771 Kwacha (1,764元) | 5,937元 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 544 Kwacha (142元) | 450元 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (3,907元) | 6,875元 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,972 Kwacha (1,295元) | 3,656元 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 405 Kwacha (105元) | 296元 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,207 Kwacha (835元) | 100元 | + 739% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,682 Kwacha (698元) | 1,460元 | - 52% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,000 Kwacha (1,823元) | 553元 | + 230% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45 Kwacha (12元) | 43元 | - 73% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (13元) | 55元 | - 76% | |
| Clothes | - 50% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 50% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha (130元) | 418元 | - 69% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500 Kwacha (130元) | 296元 | - 56% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,042 Kwacha (532元) | 553元 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 Kwacha (469元) | 705元 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | + 0% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 355,205 Kwacha (92,513元) | 148,726元 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 Kwacha (9元) | 8元 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 992 Kwacha (258元) | 228元 | + 13% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 52% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 116 Kwacha (30元) | 51元 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 72 Kwacha (19元) | 84元 | - 78% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 337 Kwacha (88元) | 114元 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 87 Kwacha (23元) | 67元 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61 Kwacha (16元) | 57元 | - 72% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 60 Kwacha (16元) | 25元 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 Kwacha (10元) | 7元 | + 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha (7元) | 13元 | - 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 85元 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 54% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Zambia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Kwacha (130元) | 178元 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 69 Kwacha (18元) | 109元 | - 83% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha (78元) | 1,179元 | - 93% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha (104元) | 320元 | - 67% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 50 Kwacha (13元) | 81元 | - 84% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 Kwacha (9元) | 28元 | - 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Kwacha (15元) | 15元 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,000 Kwacha (1,563元) | 3,924元 | - 60% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (0.52元) | 0.34元 | + 55% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 Kwacha (122元) | 414元 | - 71% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 52 Kwacha (14元) | 25元 | - 46% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 814 prices entered by 128 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.26045
CNY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 17% cheaper than in China
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