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 $2,643 per month in United States vs $278 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 $5,070 per month in United States vs $673 in Zambia, rent included.

United States costs about 851% more than Zambia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 97% above the global median, while Zambia is 79% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.04 $20.04

$7.02 ZMW 125

185.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.0 $76.0

$23.33 ZMW 416

225.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.42 $11.42

$3.63 ZMW 64.9

214.60%

Cappuccino

$5.39 $5.39

$1.99 ZMW 35.51

170.85%

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

$2.55 $2.55

$0.67 ZMW 11.96

280.60%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$0.35 ZMW 6.32

482.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$0.87 ZMW 15.51

605.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$1.51 ZMW 27.00

375.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.29 ZMW 22.95

-19.38%

White Bread (500g)

$3.65 $3.65

$0.85 ZMW 15.16

329.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.73 $4.73

$1.82 ZMW 32.56

159.89%

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$1.54 ZMW 27.53

184.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.76 $12.76

$7.82 ZMW 140

63.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.42 $12.42

$3.95 ZMW 70.5

214.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.41 $16.41

$5.01 ZMW 89.5

227.54%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.34 ZMW 41.73

131.62%

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 $1.65

$1.56 ZMW 27.93

5.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$2.61 ZMW 46.64

75.86%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$1.15 ZMW 20.48

326.96%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.00 ZMW 35.63

46.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$1.35 ZMW 24.17

131.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 $2.26

$0.96 ZMW 17.21

135.42%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.30 $2.30

$0.53 ZMW 9.54

333.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.89 $9.89

$2.21 ZMW 39.49

347.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.10 $15.10

$10.52 ZMW 188

43.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$0.85 ZMW 15.14

124.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 $3.66

$1.28 ZMW 22.87

185.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$0.94 ZMW 16.80

163.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.8 $64.8

$39.82 ZMW 711

62.81%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.84 $3.84

$2.50 ZMW 44.60

53.60%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.07 ZMW 19.15

64.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.58 $30.58

$9.04 ZMW 161

238.27%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.22 ZMW 21.78

-21.31%

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

$30.5K $30.5K

$7,973 ZMW 142.3K

282.31%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$28.6K ZMW 510.0K

-7.67%

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

$204 $204

$83.9 ZMW 1,498

143.23%

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

$57.3 $57.3

$51.5 ZMW 919

11.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$125 ZMW 2,233

-43.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.67 $46.67

$41.97 ZMW 749

11.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.12 $22.12

$13.59 ZMW 243

62.77%

Cinema Ticket

$13.84 $13.84

$4.27 ZMW 76.3

224.12%

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

$1,384 $1,384

$176 ZMW 3,140

686.44%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.7K $22.7K

$9,775 ZMW 174.5K

132.26%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.0 $53.0

$19.61 ZMW 350

170.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.17 $43.17

$17.42 ZMW 311

147.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.6 $90.6

$78.6 ZMW 1,403

15.24%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$71.1 ZMW 1,270

60.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,766 $1,766

$210 ZMW 3,743

742.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,459 $1,459

$129 ZMW 2,294

1035.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,832 $2,832

$878 ZMW 15.7K

222.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,411 $2,411

$718 ZMW 12.8K

235.97%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,287 $3,287

$1,961 ZMW 35.0K

67.67%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,650 $2,650

$5,654 ZMW 100.9K

-53.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,379 $4,379

$356 ZMW 6,353

1130.28%

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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Zambia: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,637 in United States vs $22.00 in Zambia. For reference, capital cities sit at $2,591 in Washington, DC and $224 in Lusaka.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $342 in Zambia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 7341% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 564% more in United States.

Public transport is 400% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1216% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

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 633% 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 633% 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.