Cost of living in Zambia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 63% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zambia is 63% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 52 Kwacha ($2.69) | $19 | - 86% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 65 Kwacha ($3.36) | $10 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 61 Kwacha ($3.14) | $5.93 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 21 Kwacha ($1.08) | $1.09 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 46 Kwacha ($2.39) | $4.92 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 27 Kwacha ($1.40) | $4.81 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 181 Kwacha ($9) | $7 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 39 Kwacha ($2.01) | $4.67 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 33 Kwacha ($1.72) | $2.52 | - 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 18 Kwacha ($0.95) | $3.12 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 163 Kwacha ($8) | $16 | - 47% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 26 Kwacha ($1.35) | $2.74 | - 51% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 17 Kwacha ($0.90) | $3.05 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Zambia is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 5,083 Kwacha ($262) | $2,875 | - 91% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 25,000 Kwacha ($1,291) | $2,210 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,325 Kwacha ($120) | $219 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 30,000 Kwacha ($1,549) | $1,960 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 26,000 Kwacha ($1,342) | $1,472 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 600 Kwacha ($31) | $149 | - 79% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 972 Kwacha ($50) | $63 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 6,200 Kwacha ($320) | $295 | + 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,500 Kwacha ($181) | $136 | + 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 126 Kwacha ($7) | $14 | - 52% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $31 | - | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in Zambia is 10% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,750 Kwacha ($90) | $54 | + 66% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 850 Kwacha ($44) | $45 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,850 Kwacha ($96) | $93 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,300 Kwacha ($119) | $121 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Zambia is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 360,000 Kwacha ($18,587) | $27,744 | - 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 27 Kwacha ($1.37) | $1.06 | + 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 845 Kwacha ($44) | $82 | - 47% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Zambia is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 350 Kwacha ($18) | $8 | + 127% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120 Kwacha ($6) | $21 | - 71% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 850 Kwacha ($44) | $139 | - 68% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 54 Kwacha ($2.81) | $8 | - 66% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 39 Kwacha ($2.00) | $4.85 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 106 Kwacha ($5.46) | $6 | - 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 28 Kwacha ($1.46) | $4.78 | - 70% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 27 Kwacha ($1.37) | $2.24 | - 39% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 165 Kwacha ($9) | $28 | - 69% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Zambia is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Zambia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 370 Kwacha ($19) | $55 | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 145 Kwacha ($7) | $28 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 200 Kwacha ($10) | $200 | - 95% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 935 Kwacha ($48) | $89 | - 46% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $13 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 65 Kwacha ($3.36) | $5.23 | - 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25 Kwacha ($1.28) | $6 | - 80% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 18,000 Kwacha ($929) | $554 | + 68% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 Kwacha ($0.10) | $0.20 | - 48% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 526 Kwacha ($27) | $59 | - 54% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 44 Kwacha ($2.28) | $10 | - 78% | |
| TOTAL | - 45% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 22,044 prices entered by 2,826 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05163
USD
/
ZMW
Cost of living in Zambia is 45% cheaper than in United States
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