Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Kafue Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Kafue

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $113 per month in Zimba vs $702 in Kafue, rent included.

A couple spends around $173 per month in Zimba vs $1,039 in Kafue, rent included.

A family of three spends $234 per month in Zimba vs $1,375 in Kafue, rent included.

Zimba is about 84% cheaper than Kafue, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Zimba and Kafue are more affordable than the global median – Zimba 92% lower, Kafue 48% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.05 ZMW 134

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.14 ZMW 477

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.44 ZMW 46.33

$3.64 ZMW 69.2

-32.97%

Cappuccino

$1.28 ZMW 24.22

$1.92 ZMW 36.51

-33.33%

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

$0.65 ZMW 12.34

$0.69 ZMW 13.00

-5.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.72

$0.36 ZMW 6.84

-16.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.63 ZMW 12.03

$0.95 ZMW 18.02

-33.68%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 ZMW 15.55

$1.80 ZMW 34.23

-54.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 ZMW 25.38

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 ZMW 16.06

$0.75 ZMW 14.22

13.33%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 ZMW 23.05

$1.59 ZMW 30.20

-23.90%

Eggs

$1.07 ZMW 20.26

$1.83 ZMW 34.71

-41.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.67 ZMW 146

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.96 ZMW 75.2

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.95 ZMW 56.0

$4.67 ZMW 88.6

-36.83%

Apples (1kg)

$1.42 ZMW 26.95

$2.60 ZMW 49.38

-45.38%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ZMW 23.14

$1.61 ZMW 30.51

-24.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.52 ZMW 47.83

$2.71 ZMW 51.4

-7.01%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 ZMW 11.26

$1.11 ZMW 21.11

-46.85%

Potato (1kg)

$1.81 ZMW 34.37

Onion (1kg)

$0.63 ZMW 12.03

$1.37 ZMW 26.00

-54.01%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ZMW 13.98

$0.87 ZMW 16.45

-14.94%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 ZMW 7.57

$0.51 ZMW 9.68

-21.57%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.43 ZMW 46.15

Wine (Bottle)

$6.23 ZMW 118

$7.85 ZMW 149

-20.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ZMW 11.54

$1.14 ZMW 21.67

-46.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 ZMW 15.13

$1.56 ZMW 29.53

-48.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.62 ZMW 30.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$47.22 ZMW 896

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.72 ZMW 51.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.43 ZMW 179

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ZMW 22.71

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

$7,881 ZMW 149.6K

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

$28.9K ZMW 548.3K

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

$89.9 ZMW 1,706

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

$53.0 ZMW 1,005

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 2,355

Cinema Ticket

$4.07 ZMW 77.3

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

$177 ZMW 3,351

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,736 ZMW 184.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.66 ZMW 354

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.33 ZMW 329

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.9 ZMW 1,630

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ZMW 1,393

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 Kafue: 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 Kafue: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $113 in Zimba, $702 in Kafue – roughly 524% apart. Kafue costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $169 per month in Zimba and $1,053 in Kafue. 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 $702 in Kafue. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 116% more in Kafue, 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 $702 in Kafue, 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, Kafue makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.