Cost of living in Zambia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 70% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 70% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 75 Kwacha ($2.68) | $21 | - 87% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 118 Kwacha ($4.24) | $12 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 37 Kwacha ($1.34) | $5.85 | - 77% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 31 Kwacha ($1.13) | $1.10 | + 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 39 Kwacha ($1.39) | $5.48 | - 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28 Kwacha ($1.02) | $4.87 | - 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 310 Kwacha ($11) | $7 | + 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 68 Kwacha ($2.45) | $4.31 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 21 Kwacha ($0.76) | $2.34 | - 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 23 Kwacha ($0.83) | $3.49 | - 76% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 314 Kwacha ($11) | $18 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 30 Kwacha ($1.08) | $2.93 | - 63% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 25 Kwacha ($0.88) | $3.10 | - 72% | |
| Housing | - 59% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 20,033 Kwacha ($717) | $3,174 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 6,771 Kwacha ($242) | $2,444 | - 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 544 Kwacha ($19) | $229 | - 92% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha ($537) | $2,236 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,972 Kwacha ($178) | $1,662 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 405 Kwacha ($14) | $168 | - 91% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 3,207 Kwacha ($115) | $62 | + 86% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 2,682 Kwacha ($96) | $248 | - 61% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,000 Kwacha ($251) | $151 | + 66% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45 Kwacha ($1.61) | $15 | - 89% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha ($1.79) | $35 | - 95% | |
| Clothes | - 59% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 500 Kwacha ($18) | $58 | - 69% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500 Kwacha ($18) | $51 | - 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,042 Kwacha ($73) | $105 | - 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,800 Kwacha ($64) | $141 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 355,205 Kwacha ($12,717) | $30,965 | - 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 33 Kwacha ($1.19) | $0.94 | + 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 992 Kwacha ($36) | $86 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | - 74% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 74% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 116 Kwacha ($4.14) | $9 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 72 Kwacha ($2.57) | $24 | - 89% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 337 Kwacha ($12) | $169 | - 93% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 87 Kwacha ($3.10) | $9 | - 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61 Kwacha ($2.19) | $5.28 | - 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 60 Kwacha ($2.15) | $7 | - 69% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 40 Kwacha ($1.43) | $5.11 | - 72% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 25 Kwacha ($0.90) | $2.41 | - 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | $30 | - | |
| Entertainment | - 81% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 81% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 500 Kwacha ($18) | $60 | - 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 69 Kwacha ($2.48) | $30 | - 92% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 300 Kwacha ($11) | $216 | - 95% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 400 Kwacha ($14) | $104 | - 86% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 50 Kwacha ($1.79) | $15 | - 88% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 35 Kwacha ($1.25) | $5.89 | - 79% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 59 Kwacha ($2.13) | $8 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,000 Kwacha ($215) | $489 | - 56% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha ($0.07) | $0.55 | - 87% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 Kwacha ($17) | $72 | - 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 52 Kwacha ($1.86) | $11 | - 84% | |
| TOTAL | - 63% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,162 prices entered by 1,911 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 29, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.03580
USD
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 63% cheaper than in United States
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