Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Lusaka Cost of Living Comparison Between Zimba and Lusaka

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $113 in Zimba versus $855 in Lusaka.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $174 in Zimba versus $1,450 in Lusaka.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $235 in Zimba versus $2,045 in Lusaka.

Living in Zimba costs roughly 87% less than in Lusaka, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Zimba 92% lower, Lusaka 36% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.01 ZMW 128

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.68 ZMW 449

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.43 ZMW 44.19

$3.70 ZMW 67.3

-34.32%

Cappuccino

$1.28 ZMW 23.22

$1.93 ZMW 35.10

-33.68%

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

$0.64 ZMW 11.74

$0.67 ZMW 12.24

-4.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ZMW 5.52

$0.34 ZMW 6.16

-11.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.63 ZMW 11.47

$0.94 ZMW 17.14

-32.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 ZMW 15.44

$1.84 ZMW 33.48

-53.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 ZMW 24.30

White Bread (500g)

$0.80 ZMW 14.54

$0.80 ZMW 14.63

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.20 ZMW 21.90

$1.58 ZMW 28.69

-24.05%

Eggs

$1.05 ZMW 19.18

$1.77 ZMW 32.25

-40.68%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.92 ZMW 144

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.78 ZMW 68.8

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.93 ZMW 53.4

$4.74 ZMW 86.2

-38.19%

Apples (1kg)

$1.43 ZMW 25.98

$2.57 ZMW 46.79

-44.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 ZMW 23.04

$1.57 ZMW 28.62

-19.11%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.43 ZMW 44.15

$2.71 ZMW 49.35

-10.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.63 ZMW 11.48

$1.16 ZMW 21.15

-45.69%

Potato (1kg)

$1.80 ZMW 32.84

Onion (1kg)

$0.63 ZMW 11.53

$1.33 ZMW 24.17

-52.63%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.69 ZMW 12.47

$0.92 ZMW 16.80

-25.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 ZMW 7.13

$0.51 ZMW 9.37

-23.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.54 ZMW 46.29

Wine (Bottle)

$6.62 ZMW 121

$10.63 ZMW 194

-37.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 ZMW 11.63

$1.09 ZMW 19.75

-41.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 ZMW 15.45

$1.57 ZMW 28.52

-45.86%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 ZMW 17.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.17 ZMW 713

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.78 ZMW 50.7

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.17 ZMW 21.32

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.20 ZMW 167

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 ZMW 21.75

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

$7,891 ZMW 143.6K

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

$28.4K ZMW 517.4K

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

$90.7 ZMW 1,651

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

$53.4 ZMW 972

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$123 ZMW 2,239

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.44 ZMW 827

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.65 ZMW 248

Cinema Ticket

$4.25 ZMW 77.4

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

$178 ZMW 3,232

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,462 ZMW 172.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.67 ZMW 340

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.20 ZMW 313

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ZMW 1,539

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ZMW 1,314

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$228 ZMW 4,157

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$125 ZMW 2,273

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,028 ZMW 18.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$593 ZMW 10.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,886 ZMW 34.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$14.2K ZMW 258.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$287 ZMW 5,215

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 11, 2026

Last update for Lusaka: July 12, 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 Lusaka: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Zimba and Lusaka differ by about 654% in total monthly costs ($113 vs $855 including rent). Zimba is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $170 in Zimba and $1,283 in Lusaka to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 122% higher in Lusaka. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $113 per month in Zimba versus $855 in Lusaka – a 654% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Zimba gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Zimba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 654% less than in Lusaka. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.