Cost of Living Comparison Between Livingstone and Chilanga Cost of Living Comparison Between Livingstone and Chilanga

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $206 in Livingstone versus $600 in Chilanga.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $380 in Livingstone versus $955 in Chilanga.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $554 in Livingstone versus $1,310 in Chilanga.

Living in Livingstone costs roughly 66% less than in Chilanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Livingstone 85% lower, Chilanga 56% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.62 ZMW 149

$5.89 ZMW 115

29.37%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.80 ZMW 621

$30.85 ZMW 603

3.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.33 ZMW 182

$5.15 ZMW 101

81.17%

Cappuccino

$5.27 ZMW 103

$2.86 ZMW 55.8

84.27%

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

$0.80 ZMW 15.68

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ZMW 6.93

$0.50 ZMW 9.84

-30.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.28 ZMW 24.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 ZMW 47.02

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 ZMW 35.68

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 ZMW 24.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.10 ZMW 41.08

Eggs

$2.03 ZMW 39.58

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.83 ZMW 211

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.39 ZMW 125

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.61 ZMW 129

Apples (1kg)

$3.47 ZMW 67.8

Banana (1kg)

$2.55 ZMW 49.80

Oranges (1kg)

$3.69 ZMW 72.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.62 ZMW 31.62

Potato (1kg)

$2.59 ZMW 50.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.85 ZMW 36.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.15 ZMW 22.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 ZMW 16.10

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.05 ZMW 59.5

Wine (Bottle)

$20.53 ZMW 401

$10.23 ZMW 200

100.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 ZMW 28.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 ZMW 45.79

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.69 ZMW 52.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.59 ZMW 50.7

$1.60 ZMW 31.22

61.87%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.19 ZMW 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.62 ZMW 31.61

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

$7,842 ZMW 153.1K

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

$27.0K ZMW 528.2K

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

$83.2 ZMW 1,625

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

$10.89 ZMW 213

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.8 ZMW 1,129

Cinema Ticket

$6.08 ZMW 119

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

$141 ZMW 2,754

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.9K ZMW 329.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.11 ZMW 471

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.96 ZMW 312

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$46.08 ZMW 900

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ZMW 1,468

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Livingstone: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chilanga: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $32.00 in Livingstone vs $31.00 in Chilanga. Groceries flip the comparison at $41.00 vs $246, 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

Livingstone vs Chilanga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Livingstone and Chilanga differ by about 191% in total monthly costs ($206 vs $600 including rent). Livingstone is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $310 in Livingstone and $900 in Chilanga 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.

Dining out is cheaper in Livingstone – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $31.00 in Chilanga. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $206 per month in Livingstone versus $600 in Chilanga – a 191% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

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 191% less than in Chilanga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.