Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lusaka and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Lusaka: $889 a month against $2,704 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $21,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

43

Cost of Living Index in Lusaka
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Lusaka Living Index
129

Cost of Living Index in Austin, TX
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Austin, TX Living Index

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Lusaka

🇿🇲 Zambia

$889

/mo nomad

Austin, TX

🇺🇸 United States

$2,704

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lusaka and in Austin, TX

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $889 in Lusaka versus $2,704 in Austin, TX.

Lusaka $889
Austin, TX $2,704

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,510 in Lusaka versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

Lusaka $1,510
Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,131 in Lusaka versus $5,562 in Austin, TX.

Lusaka $2,131
Austin, TX $5,562

Living in Lusaka costs roughly 67% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Lusaka is 34% below, Austin, TX is 102% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.74 ZMW 114

$20.22 $20.22

-71.61%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.85 ZMW 612

$85.0 $85.0

-63.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.96 ZMW 98.4

$12.35 $12.35

-59.84%

Cappuccino

$2.90 ZMW 57.4

$5.47 $5.47

-46.98%

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

$0.74 ZMW 14.65

$3.82 $3.82

-80.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.46 ZMW 9.16

$2.50 $2.50

-81.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.30 ZMW 25.85

$8.06 $8.06

-83.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 ZMW 44.98

$8.99 $8.99

-74.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 ZMW 34.83

$1.13 $1.13

55.75%

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 ZMW 23.41

$3.78 $3.78

-68.78%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.13 ZMW 42.28

$3.25 $3.25

-34.46%

Eggs

$1.92 ZMW 38.15

$4.14 $4.14

-53.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.36 ZMW 205

$13.08 $13.08

-20.80%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.25 ZMW 124

$14.31 $14.31

-56.32%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.62 ZMW 131

$15.96 $15.96

-58.52%

Apples (1kg)

$3.48 ZMW 69.0

$4.38 $4.38

-20.55%

Banana (1kg)

$2.40 ZMW 47.66

$1.45 $1.45

65.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.59 ZMW 71.1

$4.54 $4.54

-20.93%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ZMW 31.25

$4.19 $4.19

-62.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 ZMW 50.1

$2.63 $2.63

-3.80%

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 ZMW 35.93

$2.36 $2.36

-23.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 ZMW 22.23

$1.76 $1.76

-36.36%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.79 ZMW 15.68

$2.16 $2.16

-63.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.96 ZMW 58.7

$9.81 $9.81

-69.83%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.26 ZMW 203

$14.72 $14.72

-30.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.44 ZMW 28.53

$2.78 $2.78

-48.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 ZMW 46.63

$3.48 $3.48

-32.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 ZMW 19.51

$1.49 $1.49

-34.23%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.75 ZMW 987

$40.51 $40.51

22.81%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.51 ZMW 49.71

$2.67 $2.67

-5.99%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 ZMW 30.84

$1.58 $1.58

-1.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.02 ZMW 99.6

$35.29 $35.29

-85.78%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 ZMW 30.69

$0.99 $0.99

56.57%

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

$7,507 ZMW 148.9K

$35.8K $35.8K

-79.03%

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

$27.0K ZMW 536.2K

$27.2K $27.2K

-0.51%

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

$80.5 ZMW 1,595

$219 $219

-63.31%

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

$10.41 ZMW 207

$58.0 $58.0

-82.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.5 ZMW 1,101

$68.4 $68.4

-18.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.5 ZMW 1,100

$57.9 $57.9

-4.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.10 ZMW 300

$14.82 $14.82

1.89%

Cinema Ticket

$6.00 ZMW 119

$14.13 $14.13

-57.54%

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

$139 ZMW 2,748

$1,509 $1,509

-90.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.7K ZMW 331.0K

$21.5K $21.5K

-22.21%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$23.34 ZMW 463

$51.7 $51.7

-54.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.35 ZMW 304

$44.05 $44.05

-65.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.95 ZMW 911

$85.1 $85.1

-46.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.3 ZMW 1,433

$105 $105

-31.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 ZMW 7,744

$1,932 $1,932

-79.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$180 ZMW 3,575

$1,272 $1,272

-85.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,107 ZMW 21.9K

$3,670 $3,670

-69.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$596 ZMW 11.8K

$2,525 $2,525

-76.41%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,906 ZMW 37.8K

$7,617 $7,617

-74.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,999 ZMW 99.1K

$3,199 $3,199

56.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$317 ZMW 6,282

$5,105 $5,105

-93.79%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.79

327.10%

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

Last update for Lusaka: October 4, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Groceries & Markets

Lusaka

$239 27.2%

Austin, TX

$403 15.3% 68.3% $163

Accommodation & Living

Lusaka

$180 20.5%

Austin, TX

$1.3K 48.2% 606% $1.1K

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Lusaka

$146 16.7%

Austin, TX

$346 13.1% 136% $199

Eating Out

Lusaka

$111 12.7%

Austin, TX

$348 13.2% 212% $237

Clothing & Footwear

Lusaka

$71 8%

Austin, TX

$129 4.9% 82.4% $58

Sport & Entertainment

Lusaka

$67 7.7%

Austin, TX

$86 3.3% 27.7% $19

Getting Around

Lusaka

$64 7.3%

Austin, TX

$57 2.2% 10.9% $7

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $391 in Lusaka and $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 1511% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $31.00 in Lusaka vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $239 vs $403 per month, with Lusaka cheaper across the board.

Good to know

🇿🇲 Lusaka

🇺🇸 Austin, TX

🕒 Local time

10:33 10:33 AM

03:33 3:33 AM

7 h behind Lusaka

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,742,979 Capital

974,447

💱 Currency

Zambian Kwacha ZMW ZK

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

100 ZMW = 5.04 USD

100 ZMW = 4.5 EUR

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ZMW – Zambian Kwacha Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇿🇲 Zambian Kwacha (ZK)

Zambian Kwacha exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 19.83 ZMW (100 ZMW = 5.04 USD). 1 EUR = 22.24 ZMW (100 ZMW = 4.5 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

USD to ZMW in detail →

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Lusaka Austin, TX 14,300 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight

From you

Lusaka
Austin, TX

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

Lusaka vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lusaka wins on cost – living expenses run 204% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Lusaka the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

On paper, salaries run 1511% lower in Austin, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $391 in Lusaka versus $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $889 per month in Lusaka versus $2,704 in Austin, TX – a 204% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Lusaka runs roughly 23% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

At $889 in Lusaka versus $2,704 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Lusaka but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Lusaka the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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 Lusaka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 204% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.