Cost of Living in Kabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $479 (excluding rent), and $618 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,022 (excluding rent), and $1,225 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.08 ZMW 135

$3.74 ZMW 71.1

$14.06 ZMW 267

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.13 ZMW 478

$20.63 ZMW 392

$49.54 ZMW 942

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.65 ZMW 69.5

$3.53 ZMW 67.0

$3.82 ZMW 72.7

Cappuccino

$1.96 ZMW 37.22

$0.95 ZMW 18.05

$3.04 ZMW 57.7

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

$0.68 ZMW 12.88

$0.45 ZMW 8.65

$1.05 ZMW 19.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 ZMW 6.34

$0.22 ZMW 4.17

$0.49 ZMW 9.24

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.95 ZMW 17.98

$0.72 ZMW 13.64

$1.89 ZMW 35.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 ZMW 34.74

$1.18 ZMW 22.52

$2.37 ZMW 45.03

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 ZMW 24.94

$0.78 ZMW 14.77

$1.84 ZMW 34.92

White Bread (500g)

$0.75 ZMW 14.28

$0.49 ZMW 9.28

$0.93 ZMW 17.62

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 ZMW 31.10

$1.01 ZMW 19.20

$4.35 ZMW 82.7

Eggs

$0.94 ZMW 17.85

$3.39 ZMW 64.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.66 ZMW 146

$3.61 ZMW 68.7

$15.89 ZMW 302

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.82 ZMW 72.5

$1.79 ZMW 33.94

$6.30 ZMW 120

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.69 ZMW 89.2

$3.29 ZMW 62.5

$7.11 ZMW 135

Apples (1kg)

$2.47 ZMW 47.00

$1.06 ZMW 20.17

$3.59 ZMW 68.3

Banana (1kg)

$0.80 ZMW 15.24

$0.72 ZMW 13.77

$3.33 ZMW 63.4

Oranges (1kg)

$2.79 ZMW 53.0

$0.93 ZMW 17.60

$6.93 ZMW 132

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 ZMW 22.21

$0.33 ZMW 6.23

$2.05 ZMW 38.96

Potato (1kg)

$1.91 ZMW 36.22

$0.42 ZMW 8.03

$5.32 ZMW 101

Onion (1kg)

$1.31 ZMW 24.90

$0.71 ZMW 13.46

$3.35 ZMW 63.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 ZMW 16.58

$0.38 ZMW 7.18

$1.28 ZMW 24.31

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ZMW 9.16

$0.29 ZMW 5.49

$1.09 ZMW 20.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.51 ZMW 47.80

$2.07 ZMW 39.36

$3.90 ZMW 74.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ZMW 21.43

$0.69 ZMW 13.13

$1.54 ZMW 29.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 ZMW 28.64

$0.89 ZMW 16.92

$2.53 ZMW 48.17

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.66 ZMW 50.6

$1.77 ZMW 33.59

$2.97 ZMW 56.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.06 ZMW 172

$4.56 ZMW 86.7

$10.81 ZMW 205

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 ZMW 23.59

$1.18 ZMW 22.42

$1.33 ZMW 25.35

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

$7,978 ZMW 151.7K

$6,800 ZMW 129.3K

$9,157 ZMW 174.1K

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

$28.6K ZMW 543.3K

$6,129 ZMW 116.5K

$32.0K ZMW 608.8K

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

$92.8 ZMW 1,764

$38.96 ZMW 741

$204 ZMW 3,869

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

$53.6 ZMW 1,020

$5.78 ZMW 110

$102 ZMW 1,939

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 2,354

$43.08 ZMW 819

$198 ZMW 3,760

Cinema Ticket

$4.24 ZMW 80.5

$2.30 ZMW 43.73

$5.07 ZMW 96.3

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

$174 ZMW 3,306

$59.0 ZMW 1,122

$301 ZMW 5,727

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,513 ZMW 180.8K

$3,970 ZMW 75.5K

$19.8K ZMW 377.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.11 ZMW 363

$13.77 ZMW 262

$22.96 ZMW 437

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.11 ZMW 325

$8.08 ZMW 154

$36.64 ZMW 697

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.4 ZMW 1,585

$44.66 ZMW 849

$109 ZMW 2,065

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.8 ZMW 1,402

$32.69 ZMW 621

$91.8 ZMW 1,744

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

Kabwe Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Kabwe - Frequently Asked Questions

You'll notice a practical balance in Cost of Living in Kabwe, Zambia, where everyday costs tend to be steadier and more manageable than in many metropolises, making it appealing for long stays. Housing options range from modest apartments in older neighborhoods to newer builds a short ride away from the center. Food markets offer fresh produce at friendly prices, and local eateries let you sample meals without overspending. Public transport is simple and reasonably priced, while co-working spaces strike a middle ground between cost and connectivity. Tip: explore neighborhoods on foot or by bus to sense where comfort and value meet your routine needs.

Kabwe living cost varies by neighborhood, but you can map a practical path: begin with a few weeks of temporary lodging while you tour rental options in central and nearby suburbs. Shops offer local staples, and markets sell produce seasonally with room to negotiate. For transport, expect a mix of minibuses, shared taxis, and walkable routes around the town center. Groceries, services, and co-working spots cluster in development zones, making it feasible to work near where you live. Tip: set a weekly errand route to minimize trips and save time.

A practical budgeting framework centers on predictable essentials: housing, food, transport, and occasional leisure. Start by prioritizing a neighborhood with easy access to groceries and reliable internet, and use public transport or walking to keep transit costs predictable. In Kabwe, seasons influence activities and pricing for markets and hotels, so plan a lightweight wardrobe and flexible schedules. Compare a few areas by walking tours and chat with locals to gauge safety, noise, and pace. Setting a monthly cap for dining out and courier services helps keep control without sacrificing quality. Tip: build a simple weekly plan to adjust as you learn which areas suit your rhythm.