Cost of living in Zambia compared to Pakistan
Currency:
| Food | + 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 43% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Zambia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 75 Kwacha (₨907) | ₨916 | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 118 Kwacha (₨1,436) | ₨1,082 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 37 Kwacha (₨453) | ₨533 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Kwacha (₨381) | ₨232 | + 64% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 39 Kwacha (₨470) | ₨323 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kwacha (₨344) | ₨165 | + 108% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 310 Kwacha (₨3,756) | ₨836 | + 349% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 68 Kwacha (₨830) | ₨279 | + 198% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kwacha (₨256) | ₨114 | + 124% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Kwacha (₨282) | ₨391 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 314 Kwacha (₨3,810) | ₨2,695 | + 41% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 30 Kwacha (₨366) | ₨213 | + 71% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 25 Kwacha (₨299) | ₨144 | + 108% | |
| Housing | + 220% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 220% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Zambia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,033 Kwacha (₨242,807) | ₨137,741 | + 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,771 Kwacha (₨82,073) | ₨58,708 | + 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 544 Kwacha (₨6,597) | ₨21,580 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha (₨181,805) | ₨79,067 | + 130% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,972 Kwacha (₨60,262) | ₨35,699 | + 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 405 Kwacha (₨4,908) | ₨17,044 | - 71% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,207 Kwacha (₨38,872) | ₨2,308 | + 1584% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,682 Kwacha (₨32,501) | ₨58,431 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,000 Kwacha (₨84,842) | ₨29,384 | + 189% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45 Kwacha (₨545) | ₨1,281 | - 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha (₨606) | ₨625 | - 3% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
| Zambia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha (₨6,060) | ₨4,832 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500 Kwacha (₨6,060) | ₨9,004 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,042 Kwacha (₨24,748) | ₨13,089 | + 89% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 Kwacha (₨21,817) | ₨13,255 | + 65% | |
| Transportation | + 99% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 99% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Zambia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 355,205 Kwacha (₨4,305,207) | ₨2,800,000 | + 54% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 Kwacha (₨403) | ₨272 | + 48% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 992 Kwacha (₨12,026) | ₨4,030 | + 198% | |
| Personal Care | + 25% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 25% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| Zambia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 116 Kwacha (₨1,403) | ₨230 | + 511% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 72 Kwacha (₨872) | ₨838 | + 4% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 337 Kwacha (₨4,079) | ₨3,307 | + 23% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 87 Kwacha (₨1,049) | ₨1,222 | - 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61 Kwacha (₨742) | ₨649 | + 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 60 Kwacha (₨727) | ₨557 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 Kwacha (₨485) | ₨396 | + 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha (₨303) | ₨217 | + 39% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | ₨495 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 68% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 68% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
| Zambia | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Kwacha (₨6,060) | ₨3,859 | + 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 69 Kwacha (₨839) | ₨1,827 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha (₨3,636) | ₨6,844 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha (₨4,848) | ₨8,435 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 50 Kwacha (₨606) | ₨2,877 | - 79% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 Kwacha (₨424) | ₨566 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Kwacha (₨720) | ₨979 | - 26% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,000 Kwacha (₨72,722) | ₨149,999 | - 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha (₨24) | ₨255 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 Kwacha (₨5,664) | ₨5,226 | + 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 50 Kwacha (₨609) | ₨637 | - 4% | |
| TOTAL | + 40% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 664 prices entered by 186 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
12.120
PKR
/
ZMW
*
Cost of living in Zambia is 40% more expensive than in Pakistan
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