Cost of living in Zambia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 212 Kwacha ($12) | $15 | - 21% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 61 Kwacha ($3.35) | $8 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 54 Kwacha ($2.96) | $4.33 | - 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 22 Kwacha ($1.19) | $0.88 | + 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 19 Kwacha ($1.04) | $2.98 | - 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 79 Kwacha ($4.29) | $4.04 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 187 Kwacha ($10) | $6 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 39 Kwacha ($2.11) | $3.36 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 31 Kwacha ($1.70) | $1.77 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 33 Kwacha ($1.81) | $3.16 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 164 Kwacha ($9) | $14 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 20 Kwacha ($1.12) | $1.94 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15 Kwacha ($0.80) | $2.04 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 14,133 Kwacha ($772) | $2,261 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,171 Kwacha ($610) | $1,626 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,017 Kwacha ($56) | $176 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 15,000 Kwacha ($819) | $1,630 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,731 Kwacha ($368) | $1,157 | - 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 350 Kwacha ($19) | $109 | - 82% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 829 Kwacha ($45) | $47 | - 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,580 Kwacha ($250) | $296 | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,185 Kwacha ($119) | $118 | + 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 115 Kwacha ($6) | $11 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50 Kwacha ($2.73) | $22 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,072 Kwacha ($59) | $49 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 850 Kwacha ($46) | $45 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,141 Kwacha ($62) | $86 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 991 Kwacha ($54) | $112 | - 52% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | $22,927 | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 18 Kwacha ($0.96) | $0.75 | + 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 448 Kwacha ($24) | $81 | - 70% | |
| Personal Care | - 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 37 Kwacha ($2.04) | $7 | - 72% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50 Kwacha ($2.73) | $20 | - 86% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 390 Kwacha ($21) | $111 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 140 Kwacha ($8) | $7 | + 15% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha ($2.12) | $3.56 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 90 Kwacha ($4.92) | $5.11 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 26 Kwacha ($1.44) | $3.57 | - 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha ($1.48) | $1.83 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha ($9) | $22 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 263 Kwacha ($14) | $45 | - 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 167 Kwacha ($9) | $25 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha ($11) | $222 | - 95% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 434 Kwacha ($24) | $74 | - 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 45 Kwacha ($2.45) | $12 | - 79% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 34 Kwacha ($1.84) | $4.84 | - 62% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 15 Kwacha ($0.82) | $5.82 | - 86% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 8,000 Kwacha ($437) | $397 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.19 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 919 Kwacha ($50) | $53 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 35 Kwacha ($1.91) | $8 | - 76% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 43,477 prices entered by 5,571 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 29, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.05461
USD
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 48% cheaper than in United States
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