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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $110 per month in Zimba vs $708 in Kafue, rent included.

A couple spends around $172 per month in Zimba vs $1,061 in Kafue, rent included.

A family of three spends $234 per month in Zimba vs $1,414 in Kafue, rent included.

Zimba is about 85% cheaper than Kafue, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Zimba and Kafue are more affordable than the global median – Zimba 92% lower, Kafue 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.33 ZMW 137

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.17 ZMW 469

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.45 ZMW 45.74

$3.63 ZMW 67.7

-32.51%

Cappuccino

$1.26 ZMW 23.42

$1.92 ZMW 35.83

-34.37%

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

$0.64 ZMW 11.97

$0.67 ZMW 12.53

-4.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 ZMW 5.20

$0.33 ZMW 6.23

-15.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.60 ZMW 11.23

$0.87 ZMW 16.22

-31.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 ZMW 15.78

$1.81 ZMW 33.84

-53.04%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 ZMW 24.90

White Bread (500g)

$0.81 ZMW 15.12

$0.75 ZMW 14.04

8.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.26 ZMW 23.48

$1.60 ZMW 29.83

-21.25%

Eggs

$1.05 ZMW 19.67

$1.85 ZMW 34.45

-43.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.62 ZMW 142

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.80 ZMW 70.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.95 ZMW 55.0

$4.65 ZMW 86.7

-36.56%

Apples (1kg)

$1.42 ZMW 26.52

$2.48 ZMW 46.19

-42.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.20 ZMW 22.47

$1.65 ZMW 30.82

-27.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.56 ZMW 47.72

$2.75 ZMW 51.3

-6.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.64 ZMW 11.88

$1.15 ZMW 21.54

-44.35%

Potato (1kg)

$1.87 ZMW 34.88

Onion (1kg)

$0.60 ZMW 11.27

$1.33 ZMW 24.71

-54.89%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ZMW 13.46

$0.92 ZMW 17.18

-21.74%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 ZMW 7.97

$0.52 ZMW 9.62

-17.31%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.54 ZMW 47.40

Wine (Bottle)

$6.38 ZMW 119

$10.77 ZMW 201

-40.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ZMW 11.79

$1.12 ZMW 20.96

-43.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 ZMW 15.27

$1.51 ZMW 28.24

-45.70%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 ZMW 30.61

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$46.63 ZMW 870

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.69 ZMW 50.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.29 ZMW 173

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ZMW 22.33

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

$7,897 ZMW 147.3K

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

$28.4K ZMW 528.8K

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

$90.2 ZMW 1,681

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

$52.3 ZMW 976

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$125 ZMW 2,336

Cinema Ticket

$4.23 ZMW 78.9

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

$174 ZMW 3,245

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,500 ZMW 177.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.76 ZMW 350

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.29 ZMW 323

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.3 ZMW 1,554

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.1 ZMW 1,344

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 Kafue: July 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: $110 in Zimba, $708 in Kafue – roughly 545% apart. Kafue costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $165 per month in Zimba and $1,061 in Kafue. 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 $708 in Kafue. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 120% 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 $110 in Zimba and $708 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.