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

Name: Zambia
Address: ZM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $277 in Zambia, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $476 in Zambia, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $674 in Zambia, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 854% higher than in Zambia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Zambia is 79% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$7.22 ZMW 131

171.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.4 $75.4

$23.17 ZMW 422

225.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.57 $11.57

$3.75 ZMW 68.3

208.53%

Cappuccino

$5.22 $5.22

$2.01 ZMW 36.54

159.70%

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

$2.49 $2.49

$0.63 ZMW 11.40

295.24%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$0.33 ZMW 5.95

524.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$0.86 ZMW 15.73

587.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$1.51 ZMW 27.50

372.19%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.24 ZMW 22.51

-12.10%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$0.85 ZMW 15.43

318.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$1.76 ZMW 32.02

169.32%

Eggs

$4.34 $4.34

$1.54 ZMW 28.04

181.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.68 $12.68

$7.53 ZMW 137

68.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.28 $12.28

$4.03 ZMW 73.4

204.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.60 $16.60

$4.82 ZMW 87.7

244.40%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$2.40 ZMW 43.74

115.00%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.50 ZMW 27.33

13.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$2.52 ZMW 45.83

76.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.80 $4.80

$1.14 ZMW 20.76

321.05%

Potato (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.95 ZMW 35.51

50.26%

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$1.43 ZMW 25.99

116.08%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$0.89 ZMW 16.13

149.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$0.53 ZMW 9.57

324.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 $9.90

$2.21 ZMW 40.28

347.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.28 $15.28

$10.39 ZMW 189

47.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$0.92 ZMW 16.75

107.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$1.28 ZMW 23.21

179.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$0.94 ZMW 17.19

161.70%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.6 $64.6

$40.06 ZMW 729

61.36%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.77 $3.77

$2.50 ZMW 45.46

50.80%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.06 ZMW 19.38

61.32%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.08 $30.08

$9.37 ZMW 170

221.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.24 ZMW 22.54

-22.58%

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

$29.9K $29.9K

$8,143 ZMW 148.2K

266.73%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$28.4K ZMW 517.3K

-8.02%

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

$210 $210

$87.1 ZMW 1,585

141.32%

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

$56.3 $56.3

$51.7 ZMW 941

8.92%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.9 $72.9

$127 ZMW 2,305

-42.48%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.39 $45.39

$41.95 ZMW 763

8.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.60 $21.60

$13.89 ZMW 253

55.51%

Cinema Ticket

$14.04 $14.04

$4.21 ZMW 76.6

233.49%

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

$1,377 $1,377

$174 ZMW 3,172

690.27%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

$9,683 ZMW 176.2K

130.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.7 $52.7

$20.05 ZMW 365

162.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.41 $42.41

$17.84 ZMW 325

137.72%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.8 $91.8

$78.8 ZMW 1,434

16.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$71.7 ZMW 1,304

58.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,765 $1,765

$208 ZMW 3,792

746.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,462 $1,462

$127 ZMW 2,308

1053.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,849 $2,849

$860 ZMW 15.7K

231.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,369 $2,369

$714 ZMW 13.0K

232.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,364 $3,364

$4,948 ZMW 90.0K

-32.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 $2,665

$9,502 ZMW 172.9K

-71.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,378 $4,378

$323 ZMW 5,884

1254.36%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

-73.96%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Zambia: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $22.00 in Zambia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $228 in Lusaka.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $338 in Zambia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 7332% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 564% more in United States.

Public transport is 400% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1231% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Zambia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Zambia is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 662% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Zambia, contributing to the overall 662% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Zambia, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Zambia is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.