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

😐 Solo nomad: United States is 81.6% more expensive than Zambia without rent, and 231% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: United States is 105.2% more expensive than Zambia without rent, and 154.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
United States
Zambia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.36 $20.36
$6.95 ZMW 133
192.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.3 $74.3
$23.29 ZMW 446
219.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.42 $11.42
$3.69 ZMW 70.6
209.49%
Cappuccino
$5.21 $5.21
$1.97 ZMW 37.66
164.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 $2.62
$0.63 ZMW 12.01
315.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$0.35 ZMW 6.76
514.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$0.93 ZMW 17.86
527.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18 $7.18
$1.50 ZMW 28.63
378.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United States
Zambia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.28 ZMW 24.54
-15.62%
White Bread (500g)
$3.59 $3.59
$0.85 ZMW 16.34
322.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$1.73 ZMW 33.12
172.25%
Eggs
$4.38 $4.38
$1.52 ZMW 29.11
188.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.67 $12.67
$7.50 ZMW 144
68.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.40 $12.40
$3.94 ZMW 75.4
214.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.39 $16.39
$4.81 ZMW 92.1
240.75%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$2.38 ZMW 45.46
116.81%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.49 ZMW 28.58
15.44%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$2.50 ZMW 47.74
78.80%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01 $5.01
$1.15 ZMW 21.93
335.65%
Potato (1kg)
$2.91 $2.91
$2.06 ZMW 39.38
41.26%
Onion (1kg)
$3.06 $3.06
$1.36 ZMW 25.94
125.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.16 $2.16
$0.95 ZMW 18.12
127.37%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.52 ZMW 10.00
325.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.93 $9.93
$2.21 ZMW 42.23
349.32%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.94 $14.94
$6.76 ZMW 129
121.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$0.84 ZMW 16.08
127.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.70 $3.70
$1.24 ZMW 23.67
198.39%
🚌 Getting Around
United States
Zambia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.03 ZMW 19.68
147.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$65.0 $65.0
$40.24 ZMW 770
61.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.69 $3.69
$2.57 ZMW 49.15
43.58%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.02 ZMW 19.50
74.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.24 $30.24
$9.45 ZMW 181
220.00%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.18 ZMW 22.51
-19.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$8,042 ZMW 153.8K
269.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$28.4K ZMW 543.6K
-7.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United States
Zambia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 $210
$86.1 ZMW 1,647
143.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.3 $58.3
$50.9 ZMW 973
14.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.1 $72.1
$125 ZMW 2,400
-42.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United States
Zambia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.90 $45.90
$42.59 ZMW 815
7.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.20 $22.20
$13.89 ZMW 266
59.83%
Cinema Ticket
$14.25 $14.25
$4.07 ZMW 77.9
250.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United States
Zambia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,367 $1,367
$176 ZMW 3,374
674.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.8K $22.8K
$9,412 ZMW 180.1K
142.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United States
Zambia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0 $53.0
$19.83 ZMW 379
167.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.96 $42.96
$17.85 ZMW 341
140.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.4 $89.4
$79.5 ZMW 1,521
12.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$73.0 ZMW 1,396
55.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United States
Zambia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,766 $1,766
$214 ZMW 4,101
723.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,460 $1,460
$126 ZMW 2,417
1055.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,865 $2,865
$866 ZMW 16.6K
231.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,360 $2,360
$696 ZMW 13.3K
239.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,427 $3,427
$2,001 ZMW 38.3K
71.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,624 $2,624
$5,056 ZMW 96.7K
-48.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United States
Zambia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,306 $4,306
$383 ZMW 7,334
1023.10%
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: April 12, 2026

Last update for Zambia: April 11, 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

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