Cost of living in Zambia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 69% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 42 Kwacha ($1.86) | $15 | - 88% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 74 Kwacha ($3.30) | $8 | - 60% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 27 Kwacha ($1.20) | $4.27 | - 72% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15 Kwacha ($0.69) | $0.88 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 21 Kwacha ($0.92) | $2.89 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 41 Kwacha ($1.84) | $4.18 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 71 Kwacha ($3.18) | $6 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 47 Kwacha ($2.11) | $3.45 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 16 Kwacha ($0.70) | $1.76 | - 60% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 22 Kwacha ($0.98) | $3.12 | - 68% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 126 Kwacha ($5.65) | $14 | - 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 19 Kwacha ($0.86) | $1.99 | - 57% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12 Kwacha ($0.55) | $2.19 | - 75% | |
| Housing | - 66% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,861 Kwacha ($530) | $2,198 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,814 Kwacha ($349) | $1,575 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 668 Kwacha ($30) | $179 | - 83% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha ($670) | $1,541 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,731 Kwacha ($301) | $1,144 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 350 Kwacha ($16) | $115 | - 86% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 829 Kwacha ($37) | $52 | - 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,500 Kwacha ($112) | $271 | - 59% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,981 Kwacha ($89) | $126 | - 30% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 131 Kwacha ($5.85) | $11 | - 46% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha ($2.23) | $22 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 34% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 794 Kwacha ($35) | $47 | - 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 670 Kwacha ($30) | $43 | - 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 833 Kwacha ($37) | $86 | - 57% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,256 Kwacha ($56) | $107 | - 48% | |
| Transportation | - 46% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $23,579 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 17 Kwacha ($0.75) | $0.66 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 448 Kwacha ($20) | $73 | - 73% | |
| Personal Care | - 66% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37 Kwacha ($1.67) | $7 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50 Kwacha ($2.23) | $16 | - 86% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 374 Kwacha ($17) | $111 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 140 Kwacha ($6) | $7 | - 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha ($1.73) | $3.46 | - 50% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha ($4.72) | $4.85 | - 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha ($1.26) | $3.66 | - 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha ($1.19) | $1.82 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha ($7) | $22 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 61% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 263 Kwacha ($12) | $47 | - 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 221 Kwacha ($10) | $25 | - 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha ($9) | $199 | - 96% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 434 Kwacha ($19) | $78 | - 75% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 45 Kwacha ($2.01) | $12 | - 84% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 30 Kwacha ($1.36) | $4.94 | - 73% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15 Kwacha ($0.67) | $5.65 | - 88% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,893 Kwacha ($174) | $425 | - 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.25 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 919 Kwacha ($41) | $49 | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 35 Kwacha ($1.56) | $8 | - 81% | |
| TOTAL | - 61% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 32,161 prices entered by 4,173 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.04469
USD
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 61% cheaper than in United States
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