Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lusaka and Solwezi

43

Cost of Living Index in Lusaka
Learn more

Lusaka Living Index

Jump to prices

Lusaka

🇿🇲 Zambia

$889

/mo nomad

Solwezi

🇿🇲 Zambia

/mo nomad

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.74 ZMW 114

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.85 ZMW 612

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.96 ZMW 98.4

Cappuccino

$2.90 ZMW 57.4

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

$0.74 ZMW 14.65

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.46 ZMW 9.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.30 ZMW 25.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 ZMW 44.98

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 ZMW 34.83

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 ZMW 23.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.13 ZMW 42.28

Eggs

$1.92 ZMW 38.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.36 ZMW 205

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.25 ZMW 124

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.62 ZMW 131

Apples (1kg)

$3.48 ZMW 69.0

Banana (1kg)

$2.40 ZMW 47.66

Oranges (1kg)

$3.59 ZMW 71.1

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ZMW 31.25

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 ZMW 50.1

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 ZMW 35.93

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 ZMW 22.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.79 ZMW 15.68

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.96 ZMW 58.7

Wine (Bottle)

$10.26 ZMW 203

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.44 ZMW 28.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 ZMW 46.63

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 ZMW 19.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.75 ZMW 987

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.51 ZMW 49.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 ZMW 30.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.02 ZMW 99.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 ZMW 30.69

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

$7,507 ZMW 148.9K

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

$27.0K ZMW 536.2K

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

$80.5 ZMW 1,595

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

$10.41 ZMW 207

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.5 ZMW 1,101

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.5 ZMW 1,100

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.10 ZMW 300

Cinema Ticket

$6.00 ZMW 119

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

$139 ZMW 2,748

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.7K ZMW 331.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$23.34 ZMW 463

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.35 ZMW 304

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.95 ZMW 911

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.3 ZMW 1,433

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 ZMW 7,744

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$180 ZMW 3,575

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,107 ZMW 21.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$596 ZMW 11.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,906 ZMW 37.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,999 ZMW 99.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$317 ZMW 6,282

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Lusaka: October 4, 2026

Last update for Solwezi: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure

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

Groceries & Markets

Lusaka

$239 27.2%

Solwezi

–

Accommodation & Living

Lusaka

$180 20.5%

Solwezi

–

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Lusaka

$146 16.7%

Solwezi

–

Eating Out

Lusaka

$111 12.7%

Solwezi

–

Clothing & Footwear

Lusaka

$71 8%

Solwezi

–

Sport & Entertainment

Lusaka

$67 7.7%

Solwezi

–

Getting Around

Lusaka

$64 7.3%

Solwezi

–

Good to know

🇿🇲 Lusaka

🇿🇲 Solwezi

🕒 Local time

22:28 10:28 PM

Same time as Lusaka

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,742,979 Capital

1,000,000

💱 Currency

Zambian Kwacha ZMW ZK

📈 Exchange rate

100 ZMW = 5.04 USD

100 ZMW = 4.5 EUR

100 ZMW = 5.04 USD

100 ZMW = 4.5 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Lusaka Solwezi 410 km

From you

Lusaka
Solwezi

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 Solwezi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Solwezi 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 – Solwezi wins on affordability, Lusaka on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.