Cost of living in Zambia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 61% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 63 Kwacha ($3.72) | $17 | - 79% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 73 Kwacha ($4.30) | $9 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 41 Kwacha ($2.42) | $5.11 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 22 Kwacha ($1.29) | $0.99 | + 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 26 Kwacha ($1.55) | $3.32 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 14 Kwacha ($0.83) | $4.43 | - 81% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 112 Kwacha ($7) | $7 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 48 Kwacha ($2.83) | $3.93 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 19 Kwacha ($1.14) | $1.92 | - 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 17 Kwacha ($1.01) | $3.31 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 158 Kwacha ($9) | $16 | - 41% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 19 Kwacha ($1.12) | $2.26 | - 50% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12 Kwacha ($0.72) | $2.48 | - 71% | |
| Housing | - 64% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 12,033 Kwacha ($706) | $2,516 | - 72% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 9,517 Kwacha ($558) | $1,953 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 668 Kwacha ($39) | $204 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha ($880) | $1,777 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,731 Kwacha ($395) | $1,347 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 350 Kwacha ($21) | $138 | - 85% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 350 Kwacha ($21) | $56 | - 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,500 Kwacha ($147) | $300 | - 51% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,981 Kwacha ($116) | $134 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 131 Kwacha ($8) | $12 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $27 | - | |
| Clothes | - 22% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 794 Kwacha ($47) | $51 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 670 Kwacha ($39) | $46 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 833 Kwacha ($49) | $93 | - 47% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,256 Kwacha ($74) | $121 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $25,474 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 17 Kwacha ($0.98) | $1.06 | - 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $77 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 64% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37 Kwacha ($2.19) | $7 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50 Kwacha ($2.93) | $19 | - 85% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 374 Kwacha ($22) | $125 | - 82% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 49 Kwacha ($2.87) | $7 | - 61% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha ($2.27) | $4.15 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha ($6) | $5.50 | + 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha ($1.65) | $4.18 | - 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha ($1.56) | $2.05 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha ($10) | $25 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 66% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 200 Kwacha ($12) | $49 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 145 Kwacha ($9) | $27 | - 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha ($12) | $190 | - 94% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha ($23) | $84 | - 72% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 45 Kwacha ($2.64) | $13 | - 79% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30 Kwacha ($1.78) | $5.19 | - 66% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15 Kwacha ($0.88) | $6 | - 86% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,893 Kwacha ($228) | $490 | - 53% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.17 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 250 Kwacha ($15) | $53 | - 72% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 38 Kwacha ($2.25) | $9 | - 75% | |
| TOTAL | - 54% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 16,155 prices entered by 2,616 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.05865
USD
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 54% cheaper than in United States
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