Cost of living in Zambia compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 42% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zambia is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 75 Kwacha (¥451) | ¥1,035 | - 56% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 118 Kwacha (¥713) | ¥817 | - 13% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 37 Kwacha (¥225) | ¥618 | - 64% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Kwacha (¥189) | ¥237 | - 20% | |
12 eggs, large | 39 Kwacha (¥233) | ¥335 | - 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kwacha (¥171) | ¥439 | - 61% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 310 Kwacha (¥1,866) | ¥1,195 | + 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 68 Kwacha (¥412) | ¥822 | - 50% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kwacha (¥127) | ¥509 | - 75% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Kwacha (¥140) | ¥312 | - 55% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 314 Kwacha (¥1,893) | ¥1,267 | + 49% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 30 Kwacha (¥182) | ¥276 | - 34% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 25 Kwacha (¥149) | ¥293 | - 49% | |
Housing | - 24% | |||
Housing in Zambia is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,033 Kwacha (¥120,656) | ¥365,082 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,771 Kwacha (¥40,784) | ¥197,811 | - 79% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 544 Kwacha (¥3,278) | ¥19,132 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (¥90,343) | ¥145,654 | - 38% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,972 Kwacha (¥29,945) | ¥106,059 | - 72% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 405 Kwacha (¥2,439) | ¥8,349 | - 71% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,207 Kwacha (¥19,316) | ¥4,448 | + 334% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,682 Kwacha (¥16,150) | ¥74,559 | - 78% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,000 Kwacha (¥42,160) | ¥25,414 | + 66% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45 Kwacha (¥271) | ¥1,338 | - 80% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (¥301) | ¥2,815 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 39% | |||
Clothes in Zambia is 39% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha (¥3,011) | ¥9,315 | - 68% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500 Kwacha (¥3,011) | ¥5,103 | - 41% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,042 Kwacha (¥12,298) | ¥9,892 | + 24% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 Kwacha (¥10,841) | ¥12,189 | - 11% | |
Transportation | - 20% | |||
Transportation in Zambia is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 355,205 Kwacha (¥2,139,353) | ¥3,060,780 | - 30% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 Kwacha (¥200) | ¥169 | + 18% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 992 Kwacha (¥5,976) | ¥8,198 | - 27% | |
Personal Care | - 46% | |||
Personal Care in Zambia is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 116 Kwacha (¥697) | ¥2,133 | - 67% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 72 Kwacha (¥433) | ¥2,551 | - 83% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 337 Kwacha (¥2,027) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 87 Kwacha (¥521) | ¥1,337 | - 61% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61 Kwacha (¥369) | ¥930 | - 60% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 60 Kwacha (¥361) | ¥622 | - 42% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 Kwacha (¥241) | ¥224 | + 7% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha (¥151) | ¥188 | - 20% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ¥4,604 | - | |
Entertainment | - 65% | |||
Entertainment in Zambia is 65% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Kwacha (¥3,011) | ¥4,908 | - 39% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 69 Kwacha (¥417) | ¥3,881 | - 89% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha (¥1,807) | ¥7,212 | - 75% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha (¥2,409) | ¥8,269 | - 71% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 50 Kwacha (¥301) | ¥1,244 | - 76% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 Kwacha (¥211) | ¥547 | - 61% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Kwacha (¥358) | ¥674 | - 47% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,000 Kwacha (¥36,137) | ¥51,659 | - 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (¥12) | ¥52 | - 77% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 Kwacha (¥2,814) | ¥9,530 | - 70% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 50 Kwacha (¥303) | ¥613 | - 51% | |
TOTAL | - 33% |

These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
6.023
JPY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 33% cheaper than in Japan
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