Cost of Living in Chilanga - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $539 (excluding rent), and $648 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,163 (excluding rent), and $1,282 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.37 ZMW 169

$3.9 ZMW 89.3

$14.64 ZMW 336

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.06 ZMW 574

$20.57 ZMW 471

$49.39 ZMW 1,132

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.68 ZMW 84.2

$3.55 ZMW 81.3

$3.84 ZMW 88.1

Cappuccino

$1.99 ZMW 45.67

$0.97 ZMW 22.15

$3.09 ZMW 70.8

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

$0.72 ZMW 16.56

$0.49 ZMW 11.12

$1.11 ZMW 25.55

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 ZMW 8.42

$0.24 ZMW 5.53

$0.54 ZMW 12.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.89 ZMW 20.44

$0.68 ZMW 15.5

$1.78 ZMW 40.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 ZMW 41.7

$1.18 ZMW 27.02

$2.36 ZMW 54.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 ZMW 29.08

$0.75 ZMW 17.22

$1.78 ZMW 40.71

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 ZMW 18.52

$0.52 ZMW 12.02

$1 ZMW 22.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 ZMW 36.13

$0.97 ZMW 22.31

$4.19 ZMW 96.1

Eggs

$1.76 ZMW 40.33

$0.98 ZMW 22.5

$3.44 ZMW 78.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.6 ZMW 174

$3.59 ZMW 82.2

$15.77 ZMW 361

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.84 ZMW 87.9

$1.79 ZMW 41.14

$6.33 ZMW 145

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.68 ZMW 107

$3.28 ZMW 75.3

$7.1 ZMW 163

Apples (1kg)

$2.49 ZMW 57.2

$1.07 ZMW 24.54

$3.62 ZMW 83.1

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 ZMW 37.43

$0.76 ZMW 17.33

$3.48 ZMW 79.7

Oranges (1kg)

$2.68 ZMW 61.5

$0.89 ZMW 20.43

$6.67 ZMW 153

Tomato (1kg)

$1.16 ZMW 26.54

$0.33 ZMW 7.45

$2.03 ZMW 46.56

Potato (1kg)

$1.87 ZMW 42.81

$0.41 ZMW 9.49

$5.22 ZMW 120

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 ZMW 30.24

$0.71 ZMW 16.35

$3.37 ZMW 77.3

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.92 ZMW 21.11

$0.4 ZMW 9.15

$1.35 ZMW 30.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ZMW 11.13

$0.29 ZMW 6.68

$1.1 ZMW 25.16

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.51 ZMW 57.4

$2.06 ZMW 47.28

$3.88 ZMW 89

Wine (Bottle)

$6.75 ZMW 155

$5.28 ZMW 121

$8.77 ZMW 201

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 ZMW 24.94

$0.67 ZMW 15.28

$1.49 ZMW 34.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ZMW 35.87

$0.92 ZMW 21.2

$2.63 ZMW 60.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.7 ZMW 61.9

$1.79 ZMW 41.11

$3.02 ZMW 69.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.95 ZMW 205

$4.51 ZMW 103

$10.68 ZMW 245

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ZMW 28.15

$1.17 ZMW 26.75

$1.32 ZMW 30.24

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

$7,864 ZMW 180.2K

$6,702 ZMW 153.6K

$9,025 ZMW 206.9K

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

$28.7K ZMW 657.1K

$6,148 ZMW 140.9K

$32.1K ZMW 736.2K

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

$92.1 ZMW 2,110

$38.66 ZMW 886

$202 ZMW 4,629

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

$53.5 ZMW 1,226

$5.77 ZMW 132

$102 ZMW 2,332

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$126 ZMW 2,894

$43.92 ZMW 1,007

$202 ZMW 4,622

Cinema Ticket

$4.14 ZMW 94.8

$2.25 ZMW 51.5

$4.95 ZMW 113

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

$175 ZMW 4,008

$59.4 ZMW 1,360

$303 ZMW 6,942

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,589 ZMW 219.8K

$4,002 ZMW 91.7K

$20K ZMW 458.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.76 ZMW 430

$13.52 ZMW 310

$22.54 ZMW 517

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.88 ZMW 387

$7.97 ZMW 183

$36.14 ZMW 828

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.3 ZMW 1,955

$45.68 ZMW 1,047

$111 ZMW 2,547

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72 ZMW 1,650

$31.91 ZMW 731

$89.6 ZMW 2,053

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.