Cost of Living Comparison Between Kitwe and Livingstone Cost of Living Comparison Between Kitwe and Livingstone

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $182 per month in Kitwe vs $206 in Livingstone, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,209 per month in Kitwe vs $380 in Livingstone, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,236 per month in Kitwe vs $554 in Livingstone, rent included.

Kitwe is about 12% cheaper than Livingstone, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Kitwe and Livingstone are more affordable than the global median – Kitwe 87% lower, Livingstone 85% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.62 ZMW 149

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.80 ZMW 623

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.33 ZMW 183

Cappuccino

$2.49 ZMW 48.76

$5.27 ZMW 103

-52.75%

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

$0.58 ZMW 11.33

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 ZMW 15.22

$0.35 ZMW 6.95

122.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.05 ZMW 40.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 ZMW 47.62

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 ZMW 19.27

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.46 ZMW 48.31

Wine (Bottle)

$20.53 ZMW 402

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 ZMW 22.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.02 ZMW 20.05

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.59 ZMW 50.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 ZMW 28.69

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

$30.3K ZMW 593.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$98.6 ZMW 1,933

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.74 ZMW 289

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

$599 ZMW 11.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.8K ZMW 230.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,200 ZMW 23.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,536 ZMW 49.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,025 ZMW 39.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Kitwe: September 14, 2026

Last update for Livingstone: September 13, 2026

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

Kitwe vs Livingstone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $182 in Kitwe, $206 in Livingstone – roughly 14% apart. Livingstone costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $273 per month in Kitwe and $310 in Livingstone. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $182 in Kitwe and $206 in Livingstone. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 132% more in Livingstone, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kitwe, where all-in costs run around $182, than in Livingstone at $206. In Kitwe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Livingstone it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Kitwe – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Kitwe. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Livingstone makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.