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: $338 in Chingola versus $175 in Livingstone.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $579 in Chingola versus $319 in Livingstone.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $821 in Chingola versus $462 in Livingstone.

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

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.20 ZMW 222

$6.20 ZMW 113

96.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.15 ZMW 385

$25.23 ZMW 459

-16.17%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.36 ZMW 134

Cappuccino

$4.05 ZMW 73.7

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

$0.40 ZMW 7.22

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.48

$0.30 ZMW 5.53

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.48 ZMW 8.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 ZMW 18.50

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 ZMW 18.12

White Bread (500g)

$0.82 ZMW 14.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.11 ZMW 38.40

Eggs

$1.14 ZMW 20.66

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.04 ZMW 37.20

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.65 ZMW 66.4

Apples (1kg)

$1.68 ZMW 30.53

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 ZMW 30.45

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ZMW 29.94

Tomato (1kg)

$1.69 ZMW 30.79

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 ZMW 46.04

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 ZMW 22.21

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 ZMW 12.50

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.27 ZMW 23.05

Wine (Bottle)

$5.66 ZMW 103

$22.63 ZMW 412

-74.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ZMW 8.81

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 ZMW 10.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 ZMW 8.17

$1.74 ZMW 31.72

-74.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.31 ZMW 151

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ZMW 22.13

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

$42.20 ZMW 768

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$8.08 ZMW 147

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.57 ZMW 302

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.28 ZMW 187

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$40.97 ZMW 746

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.6 ZMW 1,139

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.9K ZMW 306.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$120 ZMW 2,183

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

Last update for Chingola: July 11, 2026

Last update for Livingstone: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $21.00 in Chingola vs $25.00 in Livingstone. Groceries flip the comparison at $119 vs $45.00, 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 $506 in Chingola and $262 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 163% 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 $25.00 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.