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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $114 per month in Zimba vs $648 in Kabwe, rent included.

A couple spends around $174 per month in Zimba vs $955 in Kabwe, rent included.

A family of three spends $234 per month in Zimba vs $1,263 in Kabwe, rent included.

Zimba is about 82% cheaper than Kabwe, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Zimba and Kabwe are more affordable than the global median – Zimba 91% lower, Kabwe 51% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.12 ZMW 126

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.38 ZMW 448

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.50 ZMW 44.17

$3.80 ZMW 67.0

-34.21%

Cappuccino

$1.20 ZMW 21.25

$2.01 ZMW 35.50

-40.30%

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

$0.60 ZMW 10.50

$0.71 ZMW 12.57

-15.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.32

$0.34 ZMW 5.97

-11.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.64 ZMW 11.30

$0.93 ZMW 16.34

-31.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.79 ZMW 13.97

$1.84 ZMW 32.40

-57.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 ZMW 23.56

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 ZMW 14.91

$0.79 ZMW 13.87

7.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.23 ZMW 21.69

$1.59 ZMW 28.05

-22.64%

Eggs

$1.10 ZMW 19.41

$1.03 ZMW 18.11

6.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.77 ZMW 137

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.93 ZMW 69.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.88 ZMW 50.9

$4.52 ZMW 79.7

-36.28%

Apples (1kg)

$1.44 ZMW 25.39

$2.57 ZMW 45.37

-43.97%

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 ZMW 22.47

$0.82 ZMW 14.44

54.88%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.50 ZMW 44.19

$2.82 ZMW 49.74

-11.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 ZMW 10.40

$1.17 ZMW 20.58

-49.57%

Potato (1kg)

$1.90 ZMW 33.46

Onion (1kg)

$0.60 ZMW 10.54

$1.33 ZMW 23.40

-54.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ZMW 12.71

$0.93 ZMW 16.48

-22.58%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.42 ZMW 7.49

$0.52 ZMW 9.16

-19.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.54 ZMW 44.87

Wine (Bottle)

$6.84 ZMW 121

$11.56 ZMW 204

-40.83%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 ZMW 10.40

$1.08 ZMW 19.02

-45.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.84 ZMW 14.83

$1.58 ZMW 27.85

-46.84%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.70 ZMW 47.62

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.15 ZMW 161

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 ZMW 21.06

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

$8,164 ZMW 144.0K

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

$28.9K ZMW 509.5K

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

$89.5 ZMW 1,578

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

$52.2 ZMW 920

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$127 ZMW 2,245

Cinema Ticket

$4.28 ZMW 75.5

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

$174 ZMW 3,073

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,580 ZMW 169.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.70 ZMW 330

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.14 ZMW 302

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.3 ZMW 1,470

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ZMW 1,294

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zimba: June 14, 2026

Last update for Kabwe: June 13, 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 467% 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 $171 per month in Zimba and $972 in Kabwe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $114 in Zimba and $648 in Kabwe. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 112% 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 $114 in Zimba and $648 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.