Cost of Living in Chilanga - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $616 (excluding rent), and $626 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,164 (excluding rent), and $1,263 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.26 ZMW 145

$3.84 ZMW 76.7

$14.43 ZMW 288

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.36 ZMW 507

$20.82 ZMW 416

$50.0 ZMW 999

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.77 ZMW 75.3

$3.64 ZMW 72.7

$3.94 ZMW 78.7

Cappuccino

$1.99 ZMW 39.82

$0.97 ZMW 19.30

$3.09 ZMW 61.7

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

$0.72 ZMW 14.35

$0.48 ZMW 9.63

$1.11 ZMW 22.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ZMW 6.74

$0.22 ZMW 4.43

$0.49 ZMW 9.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.93 ZMW 18.49

$0.70 ZMW 14.02

$1.85 ZMW 36.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 ZMW 35.54

$1.15 ZMW 23.03

$2.31 ZMW 46.06

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 ZMW 25.73

$0.76 ZMW 15.24

$1.80 ZMW 36.03

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 ZMW 15.70

$0.51 ZMW 10.20

$0.97 ZMW 19.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 ZMW 32.13

$0.99 ZMW 19.83

$4.28 ZMW 85.5

Eggs

$1.84 ZMW 36.84

$1.03 ZMW 20.56

$3.61 ZMW 72.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.80 ZMW 156

$3.68 ZMW 73.6

$16.18 ZMW 323

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.91 ZMW 78.1

$1.83 ZMW 36.55

$6.45 ZMW 129

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.54 ZMW 90.8

$3.19 ZMW 63.7

$6.89 ZMW 138

Apples (1kg)

$2.50 ZMW 50.0

$1.07 ZMW 21.46

$3.64 ZMW 72.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 ZMW 33.13

$0.77 ZMW 15.34

$3.53 ZMW 70.6

Oranges (1kg)

$2.79 ZMW 55.7

$0.93 ZMW 18.51

$6.93 ZMW 139

Tomato (1kg)

$1.12 ZMW 22.43

$0.32 ZMW 6.30

$1.97 ZMW 39.36

Potato (1kg)

$1.83 ZMW 36.60

$0.41 ZMW 8.11

$5.12 ZMW 102

Onion (1kg)

$1.31 ZMW 26.19

$0.71 ZMW 14.16

$3.35 ZMW 66.9

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.94 ZMW 18.74

$0.41 ZMW 8.12

$1.38 ZMW 27.49

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ZMW 9.58

$0.29 ZMW 5.75

$1.08 ZMW 21.64

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.47 ZMW 49.36

$2.03 ZMW 40.63

$3.83 ZMW 76.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 ZMW 22.44

$0.69 ZMW 13.75

$1.54 ZMW 30.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ZMW 31.46

$0.93 ZMW 18.59

$2.65 ZMW 52.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.81 ZMW 56.2

$1.87 ZMW 37.30

$3.14 ZMW 62.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.11 ZMW 182

$4.59 ZMW 91.7

$10.87 ZMW 217

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 ZMW 23.85

$1.13 ZMW 22.66

$1.28 ZMW 25.62

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

$8,057 ZMW 161.0K

$6,867 ZMW 137.2K

$9,247 ZMW 184.8K

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

$28.7K ZMW 572.8K

$6,148 ZMW 122.8K

$32.1K ZMW 641.8K

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

$92.4 ZMW 1,846

$38.80 ZMW 775

$203 ZMW 4,049

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

$52.6 ZMW 1,050

$5.66 ZMW 113

$99.9 ZMW 1,996

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$127 ZMW 2,536

$44.14 ZMW 882

$203 ZMW 4,049

Cinema Ticket

$4.23 ZMW 84.4

$2.30 ZMW 45.86

$5.06 ZMW 101

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

$179 ZMW 3,568

$60.6 ZMW 1,211

$309 ZMW 6,181

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,744 ZMW 194.7K

$4,066 ZMW 81.2K

$20.3K ZMW 406.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.16 ZMW 383

$13.81 ZMW 276

$23.02 ZMW 460

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.17 ZMW 343

$8.11 ZMW 162

$36.77 ZMW 735

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.8 ZMW 1,694

$45.42 ZMW 907

$110 ZMW 2,207

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.8 ZMW 1,475

$32.73 ZMW 654

$91.9 ZMW 1,835

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Chilanga Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

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.