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

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 85.8% more expensive than Zambia without rent, and 229.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 105.7% more expensive than Zambia without rent, and 150.5% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Zambia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.22 $20.22
$6.97 ZMW 139
190.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.7 $75.7
$23.45 ZMW 469
222.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.47 $11.47
$3.74 ZMW 74.8
206.68%
Cappuccino
$5.13 $5.13
$1.89 ZMW 37.80
171.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$0.68 ZMW 13.53
283.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.33 ZMW 6.50
548.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.17 $6.17
$0.92 ZMW 18.32
570.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.07 $7.07
$1.50 ZMW 30.05
371.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Zambia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.25 ZMW 24.92
-13.60%
White Bread (500g)
$3.74 $3.74
$0.82 ZMW 16.33
356.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.57 $4.57
$1.83 ZMW 36.56
149.73%
Eggs
$4.20 $4.20
$1.53 ZMW 30.64
174.51%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.02 $13.02
$7.91 ZMW 158
64.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.18 $12.18
$3.92 ZMW 78.3
210.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.14 $16.14
$4.91 ZMW 98.1
228.72%
Apples (1kg)
$5.31 $5.31
$2.31 ZMW 46.22
129.87%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.56 ZMW 31.12
10.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$2.60 ZMW 52.0
76.54%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$1.19 ZMW 23.80
316.81%
Potato (1kg)
$3.00 $3.00
$1.97 ZMW 39.29
52.28%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$1.43 ZMW 28.58
112.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.18 $2.18
$0.91 ZMW 18.11
139.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$0.56 ZMW 11.28
291.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.16 $10.16
$2.30 ZMW 45.91
341.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.16 $15.16
$6.24 ZMW 125
142.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.99 $1.99
$0.84 ZMW 16.84
136.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71 $3.71
$1.29 ZMW 25.79
187.60%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Zambia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.48 $2.48
$0.96 ZMW 19.11
158.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$63.9 $63.9
$39.24 ZMW 784
62.74%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.48 ZMW 49.46
48.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.03 ZMW 20.56
70.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.06 $30.06
$9.36 ZMW 187
221.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.18 ZMW 23.51
-18.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K $30.2K
$8,112 ZMW 162.1K
272.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$28.5K ZMW 570.0K
-7.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Zambia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$207 $207
$86.8 ZMW 1,734
138.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.0 $57.0
$51.0 ZMW 1,019
11.78%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.5 $71.5
$123 ZMW 2,466
-42.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Zambia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.91 $45.91
$41.51 ZMW 829
10.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.25 $22.25
$13.67 ZMW 273
62.77%
Cinema Ticket
$14.13 $14.13
$4.10 ZMW 81.9
244.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Zambia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,385 $1,385
$177 ZMW 3,536
682.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.2K $22.2K
$9,450 ZMW 188.8K
135.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Zambia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.1 $52.1
$19.64 ZMW 392
165.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.53 $42.53
$17.66 ZMW 353
140.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.9 $89.9
$79.4 ZMW 1,586
13.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$72.7 ZMW 1,452
57.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Zambia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,743 $1,743
$212 ZMW 4,230
723.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,422 $1,422
$127 ZMW 2,545
1016.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,821 $2,821
$862 ZMW 17.2K
227.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,370 $2,370
$702 ZMW 14.0K
237.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,338 $3,338
$1,980 ZMW 39.6K
68.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,615 $2,615
$5,165 ZMW 103.2K
-49.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Zambia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,230 $4,230
$337 ZMW 6,743
1153.51%
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: January 13, 2026

Last update for Zambia: January 12, 2026

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