Cost of living in Zambia compared to Mexico
Currency:
Food | - 53% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zambia is 53% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Zambia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 75 Kwacha (Mex$ 52) | Mex$ 330 | - 84% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 118 Kwacha (Mex$ 82) | Mex$ 178 | - 54% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 37 Kwacha (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 71 | - 64% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Kwacha (Mex$ 22) | Mex$ 29 | - 25% | |
12 eggs, large | 39 Kwacha (Mex$ 27) | Mex$ 49 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kwacha (Mex$ 20) | Mex$ 34 | - 42% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 310 Kwacha (Mex$ 214) | Mex$ 91 | + 136% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 68 Kwacha (Mex$ 47) | Mex$ 47 | + 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kwacha (Mex$ 15) | Mex$ 34 | - 57% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Kwacha (Mex$ 16) | Mex$ 31 | - 47% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 314 Kwacha (Mex$ 217) | Mex$ 261 | - 17% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 30 Kwacha (Mex$ 21) | Mex$ 39 | - 47% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 25 Kwacha (Mex$ 17) | Mex$ 28 | - 38% | |
Housing | + 24% | |||
Housing in Zambia is 24% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Zambia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,033 Kwacha (Mex$ 13,832) | Mex$ 23,155 | - 40% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,771 Kwacha (Mex$ 4,676) | Mex$ 12,161 | - 62% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 544 Kwacha (Mex$ 376) | Mex$ 1,250 | - 70% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 10,357) | Mex$ 15,085 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,972 Kwacha (Mex$ 3,433) | Mex$ 7,908 | - 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 405 Kwacha (Mex$ 280) | Mex$ 743 | - 62% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,207 Kwacha (Mex$ 2,215) | Mex$ 412 | + 437% | |
40” flat screen tv | 2,682 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,852) | Mex$ 5,750 | - 68% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 4,833) | Mex$ 2,317 | + 109% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45 Kwacha (Mex$ 31) | Mex$ 132 | - 77% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 139 | - 75% | |
Clothes | - 47% | |||
Clothes in Zambia is 47% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Zambia | Mexico | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha (Mex$ 345) | Mex$ 990 | - 65% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500 Kwacha (Mex$ 345) | Mex$ 739 | - 53% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,042 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,410) | Mex$ 1,715 | - 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,243) | Mex$ 1,413 | - 12% | |
Transportation | - 6% | |||
Transportation in Zambia is 6% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Zambia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 355,205 Kwacha (Mex$ 245,264) | Mex$ 392,521 | - 38% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 Kwacha (Mex$ 23) | Mex$ 24 | - 5% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 992 Kwacha (Mex$ 685) | Mex$ 653 | + 5% | |
Personal Care | - 47% | |||
Personal Care in Zambia is 47% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Zambia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 116 Kwacha (Mex$ 80) | Mex$ 107 | - 25% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 72 Kwacha (Mex$ 50) | Mex$ 284 | - 82% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 337 Kwacha (Mex$ 232) | Mex$ 650 | - 64% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 87 Kwacha (Mex$ 60) | Mex$ 95 | - 37% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61 Kwacha (Mex$ 42) | Mex$ 68 | - 38% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 60 Kwacha (Mex$ 41) | Mex$ 84 | - 51% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 Kwacha (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 45 | - 39% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha (Mex$ 17) | Mex$ 44 | - 60% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | Mex$ 297 | - | |
Entertainment | - 55% | |||
Entertainment in Zambia is 55% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Zambia | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Kwacha (Mex$ 345) | Mex$ 387 | - 11% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 69 Kwacha (Mex$ 48) | Mex$ 175 | - 73% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha (Mex$ 207) | Mex$ 911 | - 77% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha (Mex$ 276) | Mex$ 848 | - 67% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 50 Kwacha (Mex$ 35) | Mex$ 181 | - 81% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 Kwacha (Mex$ 24) | Mex$ 102 | - 76% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Kwacha (Mex$ 41) | Mex$ 58 | - 29% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 4,143) | Mex$ 11,177 | - 63% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (Mex$ 1.38) | Mex$ 2.42 | - 43% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 Kwacha (Mex$ 323) | Mex$ 908 | - 64% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 52 Kwacha (Mex$ 36) | Mex$ 81 | - 55% | |
TOTAL | - 21% |

These prices were last updated on April 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.690
MXN
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 21% cheaper than in Mexico
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