Cost of living in Zambia compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 44% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zambia is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 52 Kwacha (¥367) | ¥1,025 | - 64% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 65 Kwacha (¥458) | ¥723 | - 37% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 61 Kwacha (¥429) | ¥519 | - 17% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 21 Kwacha (¥148) | ¥197 | - 25% | |
12 eggs, large | 46 Kwacha (¥326) | ¥316 | + 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 27 Kwacha (¥190) | ¥629 | - 70% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 181 Kwacha (¥1,275) | ¥962 | + 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 39 Kwacha (¥274) | ¥902 | - 70% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 33 Kwacha (¥235) | ¥574 | - 59% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 18 Kwacha (¥129) | ¥285 | - 55% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 163 Kwacha (¥1,148) | ¥1,208 | - 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 26 Kwacha (¥184) | ¥184 | + 0% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 17 Kwacha (¥123) | ¥206 | - 40% | |
Housing | - 18% | |||
Housing in Zambia is 18% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,083 Kwacha (¥35,794) | ¥326,267 | - 89% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 25,000 Kwacha (¥176,064) | ¥171,772 | + 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,325 Kwacha (¥16,377) | ¥28,488 | - 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 30,000 Kwacha (¥211,276) | ¥157,603 | + 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 26,000 Kwacha (¥183,106) | ¥82,713 | + 121% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 600 Kwacha (¥4,226) | ¥24,082 | - 82% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 972 Kwacha (¥6,843) | ¥4,699 | + 46% | |
40” flat screen tv | 6,200 Kwacha (¥43,664) | ¥47,482 | - 8% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,500 Kwacha (¥24,649) | ¥32,093 | - 23% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 126 Kwacha (¥887) | ¥1,313 | - 32% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,878 | - | |
Clothes | + 34% | |||
Clothes in Zambia is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,750 Kwacha (¥12,324) | ¥6,136 | + 101% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 850 Kwacha (¥5,986) | ¥5,199 | + 15% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,850 Kwacha (¥13,029) | ¥8,989 | + 45% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,300 Kwacha (¥16,198) | ¥13,588 | + 19% | |
Transportation | - 28% | |||
Transportation in Zambia is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 360,000 Kwacha (¥2,535,316) | ¥2,700,660 | - 6% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 27 Kwacha (¥187) | ¥165 | + 14% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 845 Kwacha (¥5,953) | ¥10,143 | - 41% | |
Personal Care | - 34% | |||
Personal Care in Zambia is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 350 Kwacha (¥2,465) | ¥2,497 | - 1% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Kwacha (¥846) | ¥1,967 | - 57% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 850 Kwacha (¥5,986) | ¥5,380 | + 11% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 54 Kwacha (¥384) | ¥650 | - 41% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha (¥273) | ¥938 | - 71% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha (¥744) | ¥702 | + 6% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha (¥199) | ¥218 | - 9% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha (¥187) | ¥216 | - 13% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha (¥1,163) | ¥3,927 | - 70% | |
Entertainment | - 39% | |||
Entertainment in Zambia is 39% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Zambia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 370 Kwacha (¥2,607) | ¥4,141 | - 37% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 145 Kwacha (¥1,021) | ¥3,600 | - 72% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha (¥1,409) | ¥4,000 | - 65% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 935 Kwacha (¥6,584) | ¥5,993 | + 10% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | ¥984 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 65 Kwacha (¥458) | ¥472 | - 3% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25 Kwacha (¥174) | ¥575 | - 70% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 18,000 Kwacha (¥126,766) | ¥101,122 | + 25% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (¥14) | ¥52 | - 73% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 526 Kwacha (¥3,707) | ¥9,280 | - 60% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 44 Kwacha (¥311) | ¥592 | - 47% | |
TOTAL | - 28% |

These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
7.043
JPY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 28% cheaper than in Japan
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