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

🙂 Solo nomad: Zambia is 46.2% cheaper than United States without rent, and 69.6% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Zambia is 51.4% cheaper than United States without rent, and 60.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zambia
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.97 ZMW 139
$20.22 $20.22
-65.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.45 ZMW 469
$75.7 $75.7
-69.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.74 ZMW 74.8
$11.47 $11.47
-67.39%
Cappuccino
$1.89 ZMW 37.80
$5.13 $5.13
-63.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 ZMW 13.53
$2.61 $2.61
-73.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ZMW 6.50
$2.14 $2.14
-84.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.92 ZMW 18.32
$6.17 $6.17
-85.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50 ZMW 30.05
$7.07 $7.07
-78.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zambia
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 ZMW 24.92
$1.08 $1.08
15.74%
White Bread (500g)
$0.82 ZMW 16.33
$3.74 $3.74
-78.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.83 ZMW 36.56
$4.57 $4.57
-59.96%
Eggs
$1.53 ZMW 30.64
$4.20 $4.20
-63.57%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.91 ZMW 158
$13.02 $13.02
-39.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.92 ZMW 78.3
$12.18 $12.18
-67.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.91 ZMW 98.1
$16.14 $16.14
-69.58%
Apples (1kg)
$2.31 ZMW 46.22
$5.31 $5.31
-56.50%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 ZMW 31.12
$1.72 $1.72
-9.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.60 ZMW 52.0
$4.59 $4.59
-43.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.19 ZMW 23.80
$4.96 $4.96
-76.01%
Potato (1kg)
$1.97 ZMW 39.29
$3.00 $3.00
-34.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.43 ZMW 28.58
$3.04 $3.04
-52.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 ZMW 18.11
$2.18 $2.18
-58.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ZMW 11.28
$2.19 $2.19
-74.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.30 ZMW 45.91
$10.16 $10.16
-77.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.24 ZMW 125
$15.16 $15.16
-58.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 ZMW 16.84
$1.99 $1.99
-57.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 ZMW 25.79
$3.71 $3.71
-65.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Zambia
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.96 ZMW 19.11
$2.48 $2.48
-61.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.24 ZMW 784
$63.9 $63.9
-38.55%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.48 ZMW 49.46
$3.69 $3.69
-32.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 ZMW 20.56
$1.76 $1.76
-41.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.36 ZMW 187
$30.06 $30.06
-68.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 ZMW 23.51
$0.96 $0.96
22.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,112 ZMW 162.1K
$30.2K $30.2K
-73.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.5K ZMW 570.0K
$26.3K $26.3K
8.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zambia
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$86.8 ZMW 1,734
$207 $207
-58.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.0 ZMW 1,019
$57.0 $57.0
-10.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$123 ZMW 2,466
$71.5 $71.5
72.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zambia
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.51 ZMW 829
$45.91 $45.91
-9.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.67 ZMW 273
$22.25 $22.25
-38.56%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10 ZMW 81.9
$14.13 $14.13
-70.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zambia
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$177 ZMW 3,536
$1,385 $1,385
-87.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,450 ZMW 188.8K
$22.2K $22.2K
-57.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zambia
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.64 ZMW 392
$52.1 $52.1
-62.30%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.66 ZMW 353
$42.53 $42.53
-58.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.4 ZMW 1,586
$89.9 $89.9
-11.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.7 ZMW 1,452
$114 $114
-36.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zambia
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$212 ZMW 4,230
$1,743 $1,743
-87.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$127 ZMW 2,545
$1,422 $1,422
-91.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$862 ZMW 17.2K
$2,821 $2,821
-69.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$702 ZMW 14.0K
$2,370 $2,370
-70.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,980 ZMW 39.6K
$3,338 $3,338
-40.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,165 ZMW 103.2K
$2,615 $2,615
97.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zambia
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$337 ZMW 6,743
$4,230 $4,230
-92.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
25
6.51
284.02%

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

Last update for Zambia: January 12, 2026

Last update for United States: January 13, 2026

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