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

🙂 Solo nomad: Zambia is 44.9% cheaper than United States without rent, and 69.8% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Zambia is 51.3% cheaper than United States without rent, and 60.8% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zambia
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.95 ZMW 134
$20.36 $20.36
-65.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.29 ZMW 448
$74.3 $74.3
-68.67%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.69 ZMW 71.1
$11.42 $11.42
-67.69%
Cappuccino
$1.97 ZMW 37.89
$5.21 $5.21
-62.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 ZMW 12.08
$2.62 $2.62
-75.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ZMW 6.81
$2.15 $2.15
-83.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.93 ZMW 17.98
$5.84 $5.84
-84.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50 ZMW 28.81
$7.18 $7.18
-79.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zambia
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 ZMW 24.69
$1.08 $1.08
18.52%
White Bread (500g)
$0.85 ZMW 16.44
$3.59 $3.59
-76.32%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.73 ZMW 33.33
$4.71 $4.71
-63.27%
Eggs
$1.52 ZMW 29.29
$4.38 $4.38
-65.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.50 ZMW 144
$12.67 $12.67
-40.81%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.94 ZMW 75.9
$12.40 $12.40
-68.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.81 ZMW 92.7
$16.39 $16.39
-70.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 ZMW 45.75
$5.16 $5.16
-53.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 ZMW 28.76
$1.72 $1.72
-13.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.50 ZMW 48.04
$4.47 $4.47
-44.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.15 ZMW 22.07
$5.01 $5.01
-77.05%
Potato (1kg)
$2.06 ZMW 39.63
$2.91 $2.91
-29.21%
Onion (1kg)
$1.36 ZMW 26.11
$3.06 $3.06
-55.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.95 ZMW 18.24
$2.16 $2.16
-56.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ZMW 10.06
$2.21 $2.21
-76.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.21 ZMW 42.49
$9.93 $9.93
-77.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.76 ZMW 130
$14.94 $14.94
-54.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 ZMW 16.18
$1.91 $1.91
-56.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24 ZMW 23.82
$3.70 $3.70
-66.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Zambia
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.03 ZMW 19.81
$2.55 $2.55
-59.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.24 ZMW 775
$65.0 $65.0
-38.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.57 ZMW 49.46
$3.69 $3.69
-30.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 ZMW 19.63
$1.78 $1.78
-42.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.45 ZMW 182
$30.24 $30.24
-68.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 ZMW 22.65
$0.95 $0.95
24.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,042 ZMW 154.8K
$29.7K $29.7K
-72.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K ZMW 547.0K
$26.3K $26.3K
8.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zambia
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$86.1 ZMW 1,657
$210 $210
-58.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.9 ZMW 979
$58.3 $58.3
-12.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$125 ZMW 2,415
$72.1 $72.1
74.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zambia
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.59 ZMW 820
$45.90 $45.90
-7.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.89 ZMW 267
$22.20 $22.20
-37.43%
Cinema Ticket
$4.07 ZMW 78.3
$14.25 $14.25
-71.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zambia
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$176 ZMW 3,395
$1,367 $1,367
-87.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,412 ZMW 181.2K
$22.8K $22.8K
-58.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zambia
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.83 ZMW 382
$53.0 $53.0
-62.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.85 ZMW 344
$42.96 $42.96
-58.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.5 ZMW 1,531
$89.4 $89.4
-11.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.0 ZMW 1,404
$113 $113
-35.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zambia
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$214 ZMW 4,127
$1,766 $1,766
-87.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$126 ZMW 2,433
$1,460 $1,460
-91.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$866 ZMW 16.7K
$2,865 $2,865
-69.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$696 ZMW 13.4K
$2,360 $2,360
-70.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,001 ZMW 38.5K
$3,427 $3,427
-41.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,056 ZMW 97.3K
$2,624 $2,624
92.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zambia
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$383 ZMW 7,380
$4,306 $4,306
-91.10%
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: April 11, 2026

Last update for United States: April 12, 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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