Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Chilanga Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Chilanga

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $136 in Zimba versus $623 in Chilanga.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $217 in Zimba versus $989 in Chilanga.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $299 in Zimba versus $1,355 in Chilanga.

Living in Zimba costs roughly 78% less than in Chilanga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Zimba 90% lower, Chilanga 55% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.68 ZMW 109

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.47 ZMW 601

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.12 ZMW 59.7

$5.41 ZMW 103

-42.33%

Cappuccino

$1.61 ZMW 30.73

$2.92 ZMW 55.7

-44.86%

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

$0.76 ZMW 14.54

$0.79 ZMW 15.18

-3.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ZMW 6.83

$0.52 ZMW 9.87

-30.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.76 ZMW 14.61

$1.34 ZMW 25.58

-43.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 ZMW 19.66

$2.33 ZMW 44.58

-55.79%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 ZMW 33.33

White Bread (500g)

$1.07 ZMW 20.45

$1.27 ZMW 24.23

-15.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 ZMW 29.64

$2.19 ZMW 41.81

-29.22%

Eggs

$1.36 ZMW 25.95

$2.02 ZMW 38.53

-32.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.60 ZMW 203

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.33 ZMW 121

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.78 ZMW 72.1

$6.82 ZMW 130

-44.57%

Apples (1kg)

$1.87 ZMW 35.64

$3.95 ZMW 75.4

-52.66%

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 ZMW 29.93

$2.55 ZMW 48.78

-38.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.25 ZMW 62.0

$3.95 ZMW 75.5

-17.72%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.83 ZMW 15.77

$1.63 ZMW 31.11

-49.08%

Potato (1kg)

$2.73 ZMW 52.1

Onion (1kg)

$0.82 ZMW 15.70

$2.10 ZMW 40.03

-60.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.86 ZMW 16.48

$1.15 ZMW 21.94

-25.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ZMW 9.76

$0.76 ZMW 14.60

-32.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.12 ZMW 59.5

Wine (Bottle)

$6.24 ZMW 119

$10.64 ZMW 203

-41.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.82 ZMW 15.63

$1.55 ZMW 29.63

-47.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 ZMW 20.46

$2.48 ZMW 47.40

-56.85%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.61 ZMW 49.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 ZMW 27.34

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.37 ZMW 103

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.63 ZMW 31.04

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

$7,864 ZMW 150.2K

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

$33.9K ZMW 647.2K

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

$84.1 ZMW 1,605

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

$10.88 ZMW 208

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.5 ZMW 1,097

Cinema Ticket

$6.28 ZMW 120

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

$142 ZMW 2,721

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.5K ZMW 315.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.60 ZMW 489

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.43 ZMW 295

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.59 ZMW 871

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.3 ZMW 1,476

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zimba: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chilanga: August 29, 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

Zimba vs Chilanga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Zimba and Chilanga differ by about 358% in total monthly costs ($136 vs $623 including rent). Zimba is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $204 in Zimba and $934 in Chilanga to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 151% higher in Chilanga. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $136 per month in Zimba versus $623 in Chilanga – a 358% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Zimba gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Zimba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 358% less than in Chilanga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.