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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $113 per month in Zimba vs $645 in Kabwe, rent included.

A couple spends around $173 per month in Zimba vs $947 in Kabwe, rent included.

A family of three spends $234 per month in Zimba vs $1,248 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 52% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.38 ZMW 140

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.87 ZMW 472

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.44 ZMW 46.33

$3.63 ZMW 68.9

-32.78%

Cappuccino

$1.28 ZMW 24.22

$1.99 ZMW 37.81

-35.68%

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

$0.65 ZMW 12.34

$0.69 ZMW 13.05

-5.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.72

$0.36 ZMW 6.86

-16.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.63 ZMW 12.03

$0.95 ZMW 17.97

-33.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 ZMW 15.55

$1.74 ZMW 33.03

-52.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 ZMW 25.31

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 ZMW 16.06

$0.78 ZMW 14.82

8.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 ZMW 23.05

$1.58 ZMW 29.89

-23.42%

Eggs

$1.07 ZMW 20.26

$1.01 ZMW 19.18

5.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.88 ZMW 150

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.98 ZMW 75.6

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.95 ZMW 56.0

$4.48 ZMW 85.1

-34.15%

Apples (1kg)

$1.42 ZMW 26.95

$2.60 ZMW 49.41

-45.38%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ZMW 23.14

$0.79 ZMW 14.97

54.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.52 ZMW 47.83

$2.69 ZMW 51.1

-6.32%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 ZMW 11.26

$1.16 ZMW 21.95

-49.14%

Potato (1kg)

$1.80 ZMW 34.14

Onion (1kg)

$0.63 ZMW 12.03

$1.33 ZMW 25.27

-52.63%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ZMW 13.98

$0.94 ZMW 17.85

-21.28%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 ZMW 7.57

$0.48 ZMW 9.04

-16.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.51 ZMW 47.60

Wine (Bottle)

$6.23 ZMW 118

$8.08 ZMW 153

-22.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ZMW 11.54

$1.08 ZMW 20.56

-43.52%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 ZMW 15.13

$1.58 ZMW 30.07

-49.37%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 ZMW 50.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.93 ZMW 170

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 ZMW 23.45

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

$8,071 ZMW 153.2K

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

$28.7K ZMW 544.4K

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

$90.2 ZMW 1,711

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

$53.0 ZMW 1,006

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$123 ZMW 2,332

Cinema Ticket

$4.16 ZMW 79.0

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

$176 ZMW 3,350

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,531 ZMW 180.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.97 ZMW 360

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.02 ZMW 323

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.3 ZMW 1,637

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.5 ZMW 1,395

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Zimba: April 27, 2026

Last update for Kabwe: April 26, 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 473% 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 $169 per month in Zimba and $967 in Kabwe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $113 in Zimba and $645 in Kabwe. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 106% 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 $113 in Zimba and $645 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.