Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Zambia Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Zambia

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 84.8% more expensive than Zambia without rent, and 231.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 99.7% more expensive than Zambia without rent, and 155.7% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Zambia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.33 $20.33
$7 ZMW 172
190.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.4 $74.4
$23.02 ZMW 566
223.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.49 $11.49
$3.62 ZMW 89
217.40%
Cappuccino
$5.09 $5.09
$1.98 ZMW 48.67
157.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$0.66 ZMW 16.27
284.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 $2.11
$0.33 ZMW 8.07
539.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.09 $6.09
$0.93 ZMW 22.94
554.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.1 $7.1
$1.48 ZMW 36.48
379.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Zambia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.24 ZMW 30.44
-12.90%
White Bread (500g)
$3.7 $3.7
$0.84 ZMW 20.69
340.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.65 $4.65
$1.79 ZMW 44.07
159.78%
Eggs
$4.21 $4.21
$1.49 ZMW 36.56
182.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.75 $12.75
$7.48 ZMW 184
70.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.24 $12.24
$3.98 ZMW 97.8
207.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.08 $16.08
$4.99 ZMW 123
222.24%
Apples (1kg)
$5.41 $5.41
$2.42 ZMW 59.5
123.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.56 ZMW 38.42
10.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.37 $4.37
$2.61 ZMW 64.3
67.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.94 $4.94
$1.14 ZMW 28.01
333.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.88 $2.88
$1.96 ZMW 48.17
46.94%
Onion (1kg)
$3.07 $3.07
$1.36 ZMW 33.46
125.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.25 $2.25
$0.89 ZMW 21.94
152.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.53 ZMW 13.15
316.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.09 $10.09
$2.25 ZMW 55.5
348.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.73 $14.73
$6.78 ZMW 167
117.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$0.92 ZMW 22.58
107.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54 $3.54
$1.27 ZMW 31.31
178.74%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Zambia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.56 $2.56
$0.96 ZMW 23.56
166.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$63.9 $63.9
$39.44 ZMW 970
61.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.81 $3.81
$2.48 ZMW 61
53.63%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.06 ZMW 26.1
66.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.4 $30.4
$9.4 ZMW 231
223.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.24 ZMW 30.59
-24.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30K $30K
$8,152 ZMW 200.5K
267.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$28.1K ZMW 692.2K
-8.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Zambia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$209 $209
$85.8 ZMW 2,111
143.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.9 $57.9
$50.5 ZMW 1,243
14.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.1 $71.1
$126 ZMW 3,111
-43.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Zambia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.88 $45.88
$42.29 ZMW 1,040
8.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.25 $22.25
$13.59 ZMW 334
63.72%
Cinema Ticket
$14.14 $14.14
$4.1 ZMW 101
244.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Zambia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,373 $1,373
$176 ZMW 4,329
680.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$9,594 ZMW 236K
133.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Zambia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5 $51.5
$19.78 ZMW 487
160.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.96 $41.96
$17.61 ZMW 433
138.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.3 $88.3
$78 ZMW 1,919
13.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 $112
$71.2 ZMW 1,752
56.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Zambia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,731 $1,731
$208 ZMW 5,117
732.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,446 $1,446
$127 ZMW 3,129
1036.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,846 $2,846
$865 ZMW 21.3K
229.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,366 $2,366
$706 ZMW 17.4K
235.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,245 $3,245
$3,458 ZMW 85.1K
-6.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,667 $2,667
$6,440 ZMW 158.4K
-58.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Zambia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,312 $4,312
$281 ZMW 6,903
1436.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
25
-73.96%

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

Last update for United States: October 27, 2025

Last update for Zambia: October 28, 2025

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