Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Kabwe Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Kabwe

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $110 per month in Zimba vs $652 in Kabwe, rent included.

A couple spends around $172 per month in Zimba vs $965 in Kabwe, rent included.

A family of three spends $234 per month in Zimba vs $1,278 in Kabwe, rent included.

Zimba is about 83% cheaper than Kabwe, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Zimba and Kabwe are more affordable than the global median – Zimba 92% lower, Kabwe 51% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.24 ZMW 135

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.49 ZMW 457

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.45 ZMW 45.74

$3.63 ZMW 67.6

-32.51%

Cappuccino

$1.26 ZMW 23.42

$1.93 ZMW 36.06

-34.72%

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

$0.64 ZMW 11.97

$0.73 ZMW 13.66

-12.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 ZMW 5.20

$0.33 ZMW 6.22

-15.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.60 ZMW 11.23

$0.94 ZMW 17.58

-36.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 ZMW 15.78

$1.76 ZMW 32.78

-51.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 ZMW 24.89

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 ZMW 15.12

$0.78 ZMW 14.57

3.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.26 ZMW 23.48

$1.60 ZMW 29.92

-21.25%

Eggs

$1.05 ZMW 19.67

$0.95 ZMW 17.71

10.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.88 ZMW 147

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.99 ZMW 74.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.95 ZMW 55.0

$4.51 ZMW 84.1

-34.59%

Apples (1kg)

$1.42 ZMW 26.52

$2.52 ZMW 46.91

-43.65%

Banana (1kg)

$1.20 ZMW 22.47

$0.87 ZMW 16.16

37.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.56 ZMW 47.72

$2.66 ZMW 49.68

-3.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.64 ZMW 11.88

$1.15 ZMW 21.47

-44.35%

Potato (1kg)

$1.87 ZMW 34.89

Onion (1kg)

$0.60 ZMW 11.27

$1.38 ZMW 25.72

-56.52%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ZMW 13.46

$0.92 ZMW 17.20

-21.74%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 ZMW 7.97

$0.51 ZMW 9.52

-15.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.52 ZMW 47.09

Wine (Bottle)

$6.38 ZMW 119

$10.60 ZMW 198

-39.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ZMW 11.79

$1.14 ZMW 21.27

-44.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 ZMW 15.27

$1.52 ZMW 28.41

-46.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.80 ZMW 52.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.09 ZMW 169

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 ZMW 23.14

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

$8,130 ZMW 151.6K

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

$28.0K ZMW 522.4K

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

$92.7 ZMW 1,730

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

$52.5 ZMW 980

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$123 ZMW 2,297

Cinema Ticket

$4.28 ZMW 79.9

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

$174 ZMW 3,242

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,643 ZMW 179.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.14 ZMW 357

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.04 ZMW 318

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.0 ZMW 1,567

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.2 ZMW 1,384

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zimba: July 28, 2026

Last update for Kabwe: July 27, 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 Kabwe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kabwe costs about 494% more than Zimba, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $165 per month in Zimba and $977 in Kabwe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $110 in Zimba and $652 in Kabwe. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 111% more in Kabwe, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $110 in Zimba and $652 in Kabwe, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Zimba – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Zimba. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kabwe makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.