Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chingola and Zimba

For one person, living is cheaper in Zimba: $131 a month against $428 in Chingola, rent and utilities included – about $3,600 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Jump to prices

Chingola

🇿🇲 Zambia

$428

/mo nomad

Zimba

🇿🇲 Zambia

$131

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chingola and in Zimba

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chingola and in Zimba actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $428 in Chingola versus $131 in Zimba.

Chingola $428
Zimba $131

Estimated couple costs with rent: $731 in Chingola versus $204 in Zimba.

Chingola $731
Zimba $204

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,033 in Chingola versus $278 in Zimba.

Chingola $1,033
Zimba $278

Living in Chingola is roughly 227% more expensive than in Zimba, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chingola 68% lower, Zimba 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.26 ZMW 304

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.50 ZMW 507

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.93 ZMW 58.3

Cappuccino

$1.46 ZMW 29.04

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

$0.52 ZMW 10.33

$0.73 ZMW 14.61

-28.77%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 ZMW 7.29

$0.34 ZMW 6.75

8.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.61 ZMW 12.20

$0.77 ZMW 15.31

-20.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 ZMW 24.41

$1.03 ZMW 20.40

19.42%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 ZMW 35.04

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 ZMW 23.79

$1.02 ZMW 20.19

17.65%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.48 ZMW 49.29

$1.52 ZMW 30.15

63.16%

Eggs

$1.84 ZMW 36.67

$1.27 ZMW 25.18

44.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.11 ZMW 102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.53 ZMW 90.1

$3.56 ZMW 70.8

27.25%

Apples (1kg)

$1.98 ZMW 39.48

$1.79 ZMW 35.54

10.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 ZMW 39.37

$1.52 ZMW 30.19

30.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.01 ZMW 40.05

$2.95 ZMW 58.7

-31.86%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.99 ZMW 39.49

$0.73 ZMW 14.43

172.60%

Potato (1kg)

$3.03 ZMW 60.2

Onion (1kg)

$1.54 ZMW 30.68

$0.72 ZMW 14.34

113.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 ZMW 17.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 ZMW 17.59

$0.52 ZMW 10.32

69.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.54 ZMW 30.63

Wine (Bottle)

$4.96 ZMW 98.6

$5.87 ZMW 117

-15.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 ZMW 12.34

$0.78 ZMW 15.56

-20.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 ZMW 15.60

$0.97 ZMW 19.32

-19.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ZMW 11.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.17 ZMW 202

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 ZMW 26.68

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

$49.29 ZMW 980

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.97 ZMW 198

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.29 ZMW 404

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$12.36 ZMW 246

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$50.3 ZMW 1,001

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.9 ZMW 1,509

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$15.1K ZMW 300.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$112 ZMW 2,223

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

Last update for Chingola: October 19, 2026

Last update for Zimba: October 18, 2026

Good to know

🇿🇲 Chingola

🇿🇲 Zimba

🕒 Local time

13:37 1:37 PM

Same time as Chingola

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

210,073

💱 Currency

Zambian Kwacha ZMW ZK

📈 Exchange rate

100 ZMW = 5.03 USD

100 ZMW = 4.47 EUR

100 ZMW = 5.03 USD

100 ZMW = 4.47 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Chingola Zimba 560 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

Chingola
Zimba

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Zimba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Zimba is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 227% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $642 in Chingola and $196 in Zimba 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 73% higher in Chingola. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $428 per month in Chingola versus $131 in Zimba – a 227% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Zimba 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 Zimba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 227% less than in Chingola. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.