- Cost of Living
- Zambia
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Zambia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 54% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 70 Kwacha ($5.81) | $14 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | 50 Kwacha ($4.19) | $8 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 34 Kwacha ($2.84) | $4.53 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15 Kwacha ($1.23) | $0.89 | + 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 16 Kwacha ($1.34) | $3.17 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 12 Kwacha ($1.00) | $4.01 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 54 Kwacha ($4.54) | $6 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 26 Kwacha ($2.15) | $3.34 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 11 Kwacha ($0.92) | $1.60 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 14 Kwacha ($1.20) | $3.44 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 95 Kwacha ($8) | $15 | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | 18 Kwacha ($1.48) | $1.91 | - 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 8 Kwacha ($0.69) | $2.13 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | 12,925 Kwacha ($1,079) | $2,042 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | 5,762 Kwacha ($481) | $1,581 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 726 Kwacha ($61) | $177 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | 12,322 Kwacha ($1,029) | $1,585 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | 4,878 Kwacha ($407) | $1,130 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | 1,098 Kwacha ($92) | $122 | - 25% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | 455 Kwacha ($38) | $48 | - 20% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | 4,509 Kwacha ($377) | $334 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,329 Kwacha ($111) | $119 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 264 Kwacha ($22) | $11 | + 103% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 102 Kwacha ($9) | $23 | - 62% | |
| Clothes | - 18% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 407 Kwacha ($34) | $47 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 469 Kwacha ($39) | $45 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 900 Kwacha ($75) | $85 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 820 Kwacha ($68) | $114 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 44% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 199,511 Kwacha ($16,662) | $22,333 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 14 Kwacha ($1.15) | $0.77 | + 49% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 396 Kwacha ($33) | $85 | - 61% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 46 Kwacha ($3.86) | $7 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 48 Kwacha ($4.04) | $18 | - 78% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | 361 Kwacha ($30) | $111 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 163 Kwacha ($14) | $7 | + 101% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 32 Kwacha ($2.65) | $3.50 | - 24% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 46 Kwacha ($3.86) | $5.12 | - 25% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 22 Kwacha ($1.86) | $3.47 | - 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15 Kwacha ($1.23) | $1.85 | - 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 75 Kwacha ($6) | $20 | - 69% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 270 Kwacha ($23) | $45 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 104 Kwacha ($9) | $25 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha ($25) | $173 | - 86% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 431 Kwacha ($36) | $79 | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 60 Kwacha ($5.01) | $12 | - 57% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 33 Kwacha ($2.78) | $4.86 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 24 Kwacha ($1.98) | $5.88 | - 66% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | 1,967 Kwacha ($164) | $425 | - 61% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 3.53 Kwacha ($0.29) | $0.34 | - 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 649 Kwacha ($54) | $54 | + 1% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | 30 Kwacha ($2.54) | $8 | - 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 45% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 15, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.08351
USD
/
ZMW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 92,876 prices entered by 13,303 different people.
Cost of living in Zambia is 45% cheaper than in United States
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