Cost of Living in Chilanga - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $559 (excluding rent), and $629 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,181 (excluding rent), and $1,288 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.17 ZMW 176

$3.79 ZMW 93.2

$14.24 ZMW 350

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.54 ZMW 604

$20.14 ZMW 496

$48.37 ZMW 1,190

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.64 ZMW 89.6

$3.51 ZMW 86.4

$3.81 ZMW 93.7

Cappuccino

$1.93 ZMW 47.39

$0.93 ZMW 22.98

$2.99 ZMW 73.5

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 ZMW 17.91

$0.49 ZMW 12.02

$1.12 ZMW 27.62

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ZMW 8.3

$0.22 ZMW 5.46

$0.49 ZMW 12.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.86 ZMW 21.27

$0.66 ZMW 16.13

$1.73 ZMW 42.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.8 ZMW 44.32

$1.17 ZMW 28.72

$2.34 ZMW 57.5

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 ZMW 31.53

$0.76 ZMW 18.67

$1.79 ZMW 44.14

White Bread (500g)

$0.8 ZMW 19.72

$0.52 ZMW 12.81

$0.99 ZMW 24.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.65 ZMW 40.7

$1.02 ZMW 25.13

$4.4 ZMW 108

Eggs

$1.85 ZMW 45.47

$1.03 ZMW 25.37

$3.62 ZMW 88.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.48 ZMW 184

$3.53 ZMW 86.9

$15.52 ZMW 382

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.92 ZMW 96.5

$1.84 ZMW 45.16

$6.48 ZMW 159

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.58 ZMW 113

$3.21 ZMW 79.1

$6.94 ZMW 171

Apples (1kg)

$2.47 ZMW 60.8

$1.06 ZMW 26.07

$3.59 ZMW 88.3

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 ZMW 40.96

$0.77 ZMW 18.96

$3.55 ZMW 87.2

Oranges (1kg)

$2.76 ZMW 67.8

$0.92 ZMW 22.52

$6.85 ZMW 169

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 ZMW 28.71

$0.33 ZMW 8.06

$2.05 ZMW 50.4

Potato (1kg)

$1.9 ZMW 46.84

$0.42 ZMW 10.38

$5.32 ZMW 131

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 ZMW 32.86

$0.72 ZMW 17.77

$3.41 ZMW 84

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.92 ZMW 22.75

$0.4 ZMW 9.86

$1.36 ZMW 33.37

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZMW 12.87

$0.31 ZMW 7.72

$1.18 ZMW 29.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.43 ZMW 59.7

$2 ZMW 49.18

$3.76 ZMW 92.6

Wine (Bottle)

$6.44 ZMW 159

$4.85 ZMW 119

$8.62 ZMW 212

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 ZMW 26.63

$0.66 ZMW 16.32

$1.48 ZMW 36.47

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.53 ZMW 37.57

$0.9 ZMW 22.2

$2.57 ZMW 63.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 ZMW 65.6

$1.77 ZMW 43.57

$2.98 ZMW 73.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.43 ZMW 232

$4.75 ZMW 117

$11.25 ZMW 277

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 ZMW 29.3

$1.13 ZMW 27.84

$1.28 ZMW 31.48

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$8,144 ZMW 200.3K

$6,941 ZMW 170.7K

$9,346 ZMW 229.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.4K ZMW 697.8K

$6,083 ZMW 149.6K

$31.8K ZMW 781.8K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$89.6 ZMW 2,203

$37.6 ZMW 925

$196 ZMW 4,832

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.5 ZMW 1,315

$5.76 ZMW 142

$102 ZMW 2,501

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$126 ZMW 3,095

$43.76 ZMW 1,077

$201 ZMW 4,943

Cinema Ticket

$4.3 ZMW 106

$2.33 ZMW 57.4

$5.14 ZMW 126

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$176 ZMW 4,339

$59.9 ZMW 1,473

$306 ZMW 7,516

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,533 ZMW 234.5K

$3,978 ZMW 97.9K

$19.9K ZMW 489.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.72 ZMW 461

$13.49 ZMW 332

$22.49 ZMW 553

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.82 ZMW 414

$7.94 ZMW 195

$36.01 ZMW 886

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.1 ZMW 2,094

$45.58 ZMW 1,121

$111 ZMW 2,727

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72 ZMW 1,771

$31.92 ZMW 785

$89.6 ZMW 2,204

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Chilanga - Frequently Asked Questions

Chilanga offers a calm residential vibe within reach of Lusaka's amenities. Relative to central Lusaka, the area often feels more affordable for longer stays or family housing, while still giving you quick access to city services. Expats who value space, quieter streets, and easier parking often find value here. The Cost of Living in Chilanga tends to reflect this mix: housing and daily basics can be more comfortable without the premium of the core city. Factor in local markets, school zones, and proximity to main roads for a practical sense of value. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and commutes.

Daily life in Chilanga blends a relaxed pace with practical access to supermarkets, markets, and cafes. Housing search tends to reveal a mix of spacious rentals in gated compounds, older homes in leafy streets, and smaller apartments near main roads. For groceries, you will find local markets plus a few supermarkets with international staples. Transport options include reliable minibuses and private taxis, with commuting into Lusaka for work still straightforward. Co-working spaces and fast internet are becoming more common, ideal for remote work. Chilanga living cost is typically accessible for those prioritizing longer stays. Tip: map out a week of errands to compare transit times and costs.

Quality of life in Chilanga depends on how you budget and where you choose to live. Start with a simple framework: separate housing, food, transport, and leisure; adjust as seasons shift and work patterns change. Neighborhood fit varies from quiet streets near parks to busier corridors with quick city links, so choose based on your daily routine. Storage, water, and power reliability can influence weekly expenses, so consider a place with sensible energy options and backup plans. Seasonality affects outdoor activities and street markets, making some months livelier than others. Tip: build a flexible monthly plan and keep a buffer for unexpected costs while you explore different areas.