Cost of Living Comparison Between Lusaka and Namwala Cost of Living Comparison Between Lusaka and Namwala

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.24 ZMW 137

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.12 ZMW 477

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.82 ZMW 72.5

Cappuccino

$2.04 ZMW 38.65

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

$0.69 ZMW 13.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ZMW 6.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.87 ZMW 16.61

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 ZMW 33.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 ZMW 23.96

White Bread (500g)

$0.76 ZMW 14.35

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.63 ZMW 31.02

Eggs

$1.85 ZMW 35.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.74 ZMW 147

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.91 ZMW 74.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.48 ZMW 85.1

Apples (1kg)

$2.53 ZMW 47.99

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 ZMW 30.27

Oranges (1kg)

$2.76 ZMW 52.4

Tomato (1kg)

$1.16 ZMW 22.08

Potato (1kg)

$1.88 ZMW 35.68

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 ZMW 26.00

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 ZMW 16.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ZMW 9.28

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.45 ZMW 46.45

Wine (Bottle)

$7.90 ZMW 150

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 ZMW 20.48

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 ZMW 29.55

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 ZMW 19.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.79 ZMW 717

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 ZMW 50.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.14 ZMW 21.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.97 ZMW 170

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ZMW 22.75

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

$7,879 ZMW 149.5K

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

$28.5K ZMW 541.7K

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

$92.4 ZMW 1,753

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

$52.1 ZMW 989

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 2,359

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.30 ZMW 860

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.66 ZMW 259

Cinema Ticket

$4.20 ZMW 79.7

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

$179 ZMW 3,407

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,726 ZMW 184.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.63 ZMW 354

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.27 ZMW 328

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ZMW 1,628

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.4 ZMW 1,412

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$231 ZMW 4,379

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$125 ZMW 2,369

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,057 ZMW 20.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$592 ZMW 11.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,946 ZMW 36.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,776 ZMW 71.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$344 ZMW 6,536

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Lusaka: April 26, 2026

Last update for Namwala: April 25, 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

Lusaka vs Namwala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Namwala is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lusaka, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

It comes down to priorities – Namwala wins on affordability, Lusaka on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.