Cost of Living Comparison Between Chingola and Livingstone Cost of Living Comparison Between Chingola and Livingstone

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $340 in Chingola versus $176 in Livingstone.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $580 in Chingola versus $316 in Livingstone.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $820 in Chingola versus $457 in Livingstone.

Living in Chingola is roughly 93% more expensive than Livingstone, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chingola 75% lower, Livingstone 87% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.64 ZMW 226

$6.11 ZMW 109

106.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.63 ZMW 368

$24.45 ZMW 436

-15.62%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.40 ZMW 132

Cappuccino

$4.20 ZMW 75.1

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

$0.39 ZMW 6.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.37

$0.28 ZMW 4.95

7.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.52 ZMW 9.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 ZMW 18.38

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 ZMW 18.41

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 ZMW 14.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.13 ZMW 38.01

Eggs

$1.09 ZMW 19.39

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.02 ZMW 36.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.74 ZMW 66.8

Apples (1kg)

$1.62 ZMW 28.83

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 ZMW 29.17

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ZMW 30.39

Tomato (1kg)

$1.61 ZMW 28.77

Potato (1kg)

$2.43 ZMW 43.30

Onion (1kg)

$1.20 ZMW 21.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 ZMW 13.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.26 ZMW 22.47

Wine (Bottle)

$5.43 ZMW 97.0

$21.62 ZMW 386

-74.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ZMW 9.17

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 ZMW 10.63

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.44 ZMW 7.91

$1.77 ZMW 31.55

-75.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.40 ZMW 150

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ZMW 21.77

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

$42.04 ZMW 750

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$8.23 ZMW 147

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.28 ZMW 291

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.28 ZMW 184

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$41.08 ZMW 733

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.3 ZMW 1,111

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.2K ZMW 289.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$121 ZMW 2,161

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

Last update for Chingola: May 31, 2026

Last update for Livingstone: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $21.00 in Chingola vs $24.00 in Livingstone. Groceries flip the comparison at $119 vs $43.00, with Livingstone cheaper for home cooking.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chingola vs Livingstone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Livingstone is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 93% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $511 in Chingola and $264 in Livingstone to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 175% higher in Chingola. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

Dining out is cheaper in Livingstone – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $21.00 in Chingola. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Livingstone gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Livingstone gentler on the wallet – expenses run 93% less than in Chingola. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.