Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Chingola

For one person, living is cheaper in Zimba: $131 a month against $428 in Chingola, rent and utilities included – about $3,600 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

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Zimba

🇿🇲 Zambia

$131

/mo nomad

Chingola

🇿🇲 Zambia

$428

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Zimba and in Chingola

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Zimba and in Chingola actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $131 in Zimba versus $428 in Chingola.

Zimba $131
Chingola $428

Estimated couple costs with rent: $204 in Zimba versus $731 in Chingola.

Zimba $204
Chingola $731

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $278 in Zimba versus $1,033 in Chingola.

Zimba $278
Chingola $1,033

Living in Zimba costs roughly 69% less than in Chingola, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Zimba 90% lower, Chingola 68% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.26 ZMW 304

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.50 ZMW 507

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.93 ZMW 58.3

Cappuccino

$1.46 ZMW 29.04

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

$0.73 ZMW 14.61

$0.52 ZMW 10.33

40.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ZMW 6.75

$0.37 ZMW 7.29

-8.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 ZMW 15.31

$0.61 ZMW 12.20

26.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 ZMW 20.40

$1.23 ZMW 24.41

-16.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 ZMW 35.04

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 ZMW 20.19

$1.20 ZMW 23.79

-15.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.52 ZMW 30.15

$2.48 ZMW 49.29

-38.71%

Eggs

$1.27 ZMW 25.18

$1.84 ZMW 36.67

-30.98%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.11 ZMW 102

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.56 ZMW 70.8

$4.53 ZMW 90.1

-21.41%

Apples (1kg)

$1.79 ZMW 35.54

$1.98 ZMW 39.48

-9.60%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 ZMW 30.19

$1.98 ZMW 39.37

-23.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.95 ZMW 58.7

$2.01 ZMW 40.05

46.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.73 ZMW 14.43

$1.99 ZMW 39.49

-63.32%

Potato (1kg)

$3.03 ZMW 60.2

Onion (1kg)

$0.72 ZMW 14.34

$1.54 ZMW 30.68

-53.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 ZMW 17.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZMW 10.32

$0.88 ZMW 17.59

-40.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.54 ZMW 30.63

Wine (Bottle)

$5.87 ZMW 117

$4.96 ZMW 98.6

18.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 ZMW 15.56

$0.62 ZMW 12.34

25.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 ZMW 19.32

$0.78 ZMW 15.60

24.36%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ZMW 11.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.17 ZMW 202

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 ZMW 26.68

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

$49.29 ZMW 980

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.97 ZMW 198

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.29 ZMW 404

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$12.36 ZMW 246

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$50.3 ZMW 1,001

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.9 ZMW 1,509

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$15.1K ZMW 300.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$112 ZMW 2,223

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

Last update for Zimba: October 18, 2026

Last update for Chingola: October 19, 2026

Good to know

🇿🇲 Zimba

🇿🇲 Chingola

🕒 Local time

18:05 6:05 PM

Same time as Zimba

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

210,073

💱 Currency

Zambian Kwacha ZMW ZK

📈 Exchange rate

100 ZMW = 5.03 USD

100 ZMW = 4.47 EUR

100 ZMW = 5.03 USD

100 ZMW = 4.47 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Zimba Chingola 560 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

Zimba
Chingola

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Chingola: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Zimba is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and transport. The 227% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $196 in Zimba and $642 in Chingola 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 73% higher in Chingola. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $131 per month in Zimba versus $428 in Chingola – a 227% 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 227% less than in Chingola. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.