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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $176 in Livingstone versus $333 in Chingola.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $316 in Livingstone versus $575 in Chingola.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $456 in Livingstone versus $816 in Chingola.

Living in Livingstone costs roughly 47% less than in Chingola, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.19 ZMW 116

$12.23 ZMW 229

-49.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.36 ZMW 474

$21.11 ZMW 395

20.13%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.32 ZMW 137

Cappuccino

$4.11 ZMW 76.9

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

$0.43 ZMW 7.98

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.66

$0.28 ZMW 5.16

7.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.48 ZMW 9.00

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.06 ZMW 19.79

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 ZMW 18.61

White Bread (500g)

$0.82 ZMW 15.26

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.03 ZMW 37.99

Eggs

$1.14 ZMW 21.25

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.02 ZMW 37.83

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.81 ZMW 71.2

Apples (1kg)

$1.62 ZMW 30.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 ZMW 31.56

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ZMW 30.21

Tomato (1kg)

$1.70 ZMW 31.80

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 ZMW 47.32

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 ZMW 22.73

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 ZMW 13.47

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.26 ZMW 23.58

Wine (Bottle)

$21.43 ZMW 401

$5.45 ZMW 102

293.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZMW 9.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 ZMW 11.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 ZMW 34.27

$0.45 ZMW 8.34

306.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.32 ZMW 156

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 ZMW 21.98

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

$40.96 ZMW 766

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$8.54 ZMW 160

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.84 ZMW 315

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$10.53 ZMW 197

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$41.66 ZMW 779

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.8 ZMW 1,175

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.2K ZMW 303.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$120 ZMW 2,239

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

Last update for Livingstone: July 26, 2026

Last update for Chingola: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out: $25.00 in Livingstone vs $21.00 in Chingola. Groceries flip the comparison at $43.00 vs $119, 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 Chingola: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Livingstone is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 90% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $263 in Livingstone and $500 in Chingola 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 177% 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 90% less than in Chingola. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.