Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Livingstone and Zimba

For one person, living is cheaper in Zimba: $131 a month against $202 in Livingstone, rent and utilities included – about $850 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

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Livingstone

🇿🇲 Zambia

$202

/mo nomad

Zimba

🇿🇲 Zambia

$131

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Livingstone 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 Livingstone and in Zimba actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $202 per month in Livingstone vs $131 in Zimba, rent included.

Livingstone $202
Zimba $131

A couple spends around $369 per month in Livingstone vs $204 in Zimba, rent included.

Livingstone $369
Zimba $204

A family of three spends $536 per month in Livingstone vs $278 in Zimba, rent included.

Livingstone $536
Zimba $278

Livingstone costs about 54% more than Zimba, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Livingstone and Zimba are more affordable than the global median – Livingstone 85% lower, Zimba 90% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.42 ZMW 148

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$29.48 ZMW 586

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.92 ZMW 177

$2.93 ZMW 58.3

204.44%

Cappuccino

$5.10 ZMW 101

$1.46 ZMW 29.04

249.32%

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

$0.73 ZMW 14.61

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ZMW 6.67

$0.34 ZMW 6.75

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 ZMW 15.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 ZMW 20.40

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 ZMW 20.19

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.52 ZMW 30.15

Eggs

$1.27 ZMW 25.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.56 ZMW 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$1.79 ZMW 35.54

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ZMW 30.19

Oranges (1kg)

$2.95 ZMW 58.7

Tomato (1kg)

$0.73 ZMW 14.43

Onion (1kg)

$0.72 ZMW 14.34

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 ZMW 17.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZMW 10.32

Wine (Bottle)

$20.14 ZMW 401

$5.87 ZMW 117

243.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 ZMW 15.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 ZMW 19.32

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.58 ZMW 51.3

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

Last update for Livingstone: October 19, 2026

Last update for Zimba: October 18, 2026

Good to know

🇿🇲 Livingstone

🇿🇲 Zimba

🕒 Local time

14:31 2:31 PM

Same time as Livingstone

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

136,897

💱 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

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Livingstone Zimba 70 km

From you

Livingstone
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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

Livingstone vs Zimba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $202 in Livingstone, $131 in Zimba – roughly 54% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $303 per month in Livingstone and $196 in Zimba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $202 in Livingstone and $131 in Zimba. That's a gap of about 54%.

Interestingly, groceries are about 134% cheaper in Livingstone – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $202 in Livingstone and $131 in Zimba, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Zimba – 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 Zimba. 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.