Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Livingstone

For one person, living is cheaper in Zimba: $131 a month against $199 in Livingstone, rent and utilities included – about $820 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Jump to prices

Zimba

🇿🇲 Zambia

$131

/mo nomad

Livingstone

🇿🇲 Zambia

$199

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Zimba and in Livingstone

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Zimba and in Livingstone actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $131 per month in Zimba vs $199 in Livingstone, rent included.

Zimba $131
Livingstone $199

A couple spends around $205 per month in Zimba vs $367 in Livingstone, rent included.

Zimba $205
Livingstone $367

A family of three spends $278 per month in Zimba vs $535 in Livingstone, rent included.

Zimba $278
Livingstone $535

Zimba is about 34% cheaper than Livingstone, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Zimba and Livingstone are more affordable than the global median – Zimba 90% lower, Livingstone 85% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.57 ZMW 153

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.35 ZMW 611

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.08 ZMW 62.1

$8.72 ZMW 176

-64.68%

Cappuccino

$1.53 ZMW 30.82

$4.88 ZMW 98.2

-68.65%

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

$0.78 ZMW 15.78

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ZMW 6.80

$0.34 ZMW 6.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.79 ZMW 15.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 ZMW 19.83

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 ZMW 19.80

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.52 ZMW 30.53

Eggs

$1.27 ZMW 25.65

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.57 ZMW 71.9

Apples (1kg)

$1.70 ZMW 34.31

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 ZMW 29.64

Oranges (1kg)

$3.00 ZMW 60.4

Tomato (1kg)

$0.73 ZMW 14.69

Onion (1kg)

$0.77 ZMW 15.49

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.81 ZMW 16.30

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZMW 10.41

Wine (Bottle)

$5.91 ZMW 119

$19.88 ZMW 400

-70.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 ZMW 15.33

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.99 ZMW 19.92

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.48 ZMW 49.93

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

Last update for Zimba: October 25, 2026

Last update for Livingstone: October 25, 2026

Good to know

🇿🇲 Zimba

🇿🇲 Livingstone

🕒 Local time

15:50 3:50 PM

Same time as Zimba

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

136,897

💱 Currency

Zambian Kwacha ZMW ZK

📈 Exchange rate

100 ZMW = 4.97 USD

100 ZMW = 4.45 EUR

100 ZMW = 4.97 USD

100 ZMW = 4.45 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Zimba Livingstone 70 km

From you

Zimba
Livingstone

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Livingstone: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $131 in Zimba, $199 in Livingstone – Zimba comes out roughly 34% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $197 per month in Zimba and $298 in Livingstone. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $131 in Zimba and $199 in Livingstone. That makes Zimba about 34% cheaper.

Interestingly, groceries are about 57% cheaper in Livingstone – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $131 in Zimba and $199 in Livingstone, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Livingstone has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $131 in Zimba to $199 in Livingstone. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.