Cost of living in Zambia compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 54% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zambia is 54% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 139 Kwacha (¥680) | ¥947 | - 28% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 74 Kwacha (¥362) | ¥693 | - 48% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 42 Kwacha (¥204) | ¥417 | - 51% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 17 Kwacha (¥85) | ¥204 | - 58% | |
12 eggs, large | 21 Kwacha (¥101) | ¥238 | - 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 48 Kwacha (¥233) | ¥653 | - 64% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 135 Kwacha (¥659) | ¥888 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 47 Kwacha (¥230) | ¥786 | - 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 18 Kwacha (¥90) | ¥389 | - 77% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 33 Kwacha (¥162) | ¥306 | - 47% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 164 Kwacha (¥801) | ¥1,339 | - 40% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 23 Kwacha (¥110) | ¥183 | - 40% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 13 Kwacha (¥63) | ¥246 | - 75% | |
Housing | - 65% | |||
Housing in Zambia is 65% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,861 Kwacha (¥58,038) | ¥292,182 | - 80% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,814 Kwacha (¥38,237) | ¥166,938 | - 77% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 668 Kwacha (¥3,270) | ¥25,258 | - 87% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (¥73,397) | ¥145,026 | - 49% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,731 Kwacha (¥32,937) | ¥81,047 | - 59% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 350 Kwacha (¥1,713) | ¥13,235 | - 87% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 829 Kwacha (¥4,058) | ¥3,869 | + 5% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,500 Kwacha (¥12,233) | ¥55,604 | - 78% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,981 Kwacha (¥9,693) | ¥12,951 | - 25% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 131 Kwacha (¥640) | ¥778 | - 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (¥245) | ¥2,599 | - 91% | |
Clothes | - 38% | |||
Clothes in Zambia is 38% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 794 Kwacha (¥3,883) | ¥6,849 | - 43% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 670 Kwacha (¥3,277) | ¥4,780 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 833 Kwacha (¥4,074) | ¥8,249 | - 51% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,256 Kwacha (¥6,147) | ¥12,511 | - 51% | |
Transportation | - 58% | |||
Transportation in Zambia is 58% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | ¥2,585,890 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 17 Kwacha (¥82) | ¥135 | - 39% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 448 Kwacha (¥2,192) | ¥10,445 | - 79% | |
Personal Care | - 62% | |||
Personal Care in Zambia is 62% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37 Kwacha (¥183) | ¥1,225 | - 85% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50 Kwacha (¥245) | ¥1,626 | - 85% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 374 Kwacha (¥1,831) | ¥6,148 | - 70% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 140 Kwacha (¥685) | ¥812 | - 16% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha (¥190) | ¥655 | - 71% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha (¥517) | ¥501 | + 3% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha (¥138) | ¥170 | - 19% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha (¥130) | ¥229 | - 43% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha (¥808) | ¥2,983 | - 73% | |
Entertainment | - 59% | |||
Entertainment in Zambia is 59% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 263 Kwacha (¥1,285) | ¥3,633 | - 65% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 221 Kwacha (¥1,083) | ¥3,632 | - 70% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha (¥979) | ¥12,969 | - 92% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 434 Kwacha (¥2,123) | ¥6,378 | - 67% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 45 Kwacha (¥220) | ¥1,122 | - 80% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30 Kwacha (¥149) | ¥432 | - 66% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15 Kwacha (¥73) | ¥556 | - 87% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,893 Kwacha (¥19,050) | ¥51,985 | - 63% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥40 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 919 Kwacha (¥4,499) | ¥9,497 | - 53% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 35 Kwacha (¥171) | ¥525 | - 68% | |
TOTAL | - 59% |

These prices were last updated on March 03, 2021.
Exchange rate:
4.893
JPY
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 59% cheaper than in Japan
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