Cost of Living in Kabwe - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $540 (excluding rent), and $644 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,170 (excluding rent), and $1,250 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.12 ZMW 175
$3.76 ZMW 92.6
$14.14 ZMW 348
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.52 ZMW 603
$20.13 ZMW 495
$48.33 ZMW 1,189
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.76 ZMW 92.4
$3.62 ZMW 89.2
$3.93 ZMW 96.6
Cappuccino
$1.95 ZMW 47.95
$0.95 ZMW 23.25
$3.02 ZMW 74.4
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73 ZMW 17.84
$0.49 ZMW 11.98
$1.12 ZMW 27.52
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ZMW 8.24
$0.22 ZMW 5.41
$0.49 ZMW 12
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.93 ZMW 22.98
$0.71 ZMW 17.42
$1.87 ZMW 45.96
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82 ZMW 44.69
$1.18 ZMW 28.96
$2.35 ZMW 57.9
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 ZMW 31.3
$0.75 ZMW 18.54
$1.78 ZMW 43.82
White Bread (500g)
$0.79 ZMW 19.55
$0.52 ZMW 12.69
$0.98 ZMW 24.12
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.59 ZMW 39.05
$0.98 ZMW 24.11
$4.22 ZMW 104
Eggs
$1.01 ZMW 24.78
$1.01 ZMW 24.78
$3.64 ZMW 89.5
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.65 ZMW 188
$3.61 ZMW 88.8
$15.87 ZMW 390
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.99 ZMW 98.1
$1.87 ZMW 45.9
$6.58 ZMW 162
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.64 ZMW 114
$3.25 ZMW 80
$7.03 ZMW 173
Apples (1kg)
$2.55 ZMW 62.8
$1.1 ZMW 26.96
$3.71 ZMW 91.3
Banana (1kg)
$0.87 ZMW 21.44
$0.79 ZMW 19.37
$3.62 ZMW 89.1
Oranges (1kg)
$2.72 ZMW 66.9
$0.9 ZMW 22.23
$6.76 ZMW 166
Tomato (1kg)
$1.17 ZMW 28.68
$0.33 ZMW 8.05
$2.05 ZMW 50.3
Potato (1kg)
$1.83 ZMW 45.06
$0.41 ZMW 9.99
$5.12 ZMW 126
Onion (1kg)
$1.34 ZMW 32.87
$0.72 ZMW 17.77
$3.41 ZMW 84
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.93 ZMW 22.84
$0.4 ZMW 9.9
$1.36 ZMW 33.5
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ZMW 12.04
$0.29 ZMW 7.22
$1.11 ZMW 27.21
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46 ZMW 60.4
$2.02 ZMW 49.74
$3.81 ZMW 93.7
Wine (Bottle)
$6.48 ZMW 159
$4.88 ZMW 120
$8.67 ZMW 213
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 ZMW 26.85
$0.67 ZMW 16.45
$1.49 ZMW 36.77
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 ZMW 38.36
$0.92 ZMW 22.67
$2.62 ZMW 64.5
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.75 ZMW 67.7
$1.83 ZMW 44.96
$3.07 ZMW 75.6
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.37 ZMW 231
$4.72 ZMW 116
$11.19 ZMW 275
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19 ZMW 29.39
$1.14 ZMW 27.93
$1.28 ZMW 31.58
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,051 ZMW 198.1K
$6,862 ZMW 168.8K
$9,240 ZMW 227.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.8K ZMW 708.5K
$6,177 ZMW 151.9K
$32.3K ZMW 793.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92 ZMW 2,262
$38.61 ZMW 950
$202 ZMW 4,962
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.7 ZMW 1,297
$5.68 ZMW 140
$100 ZMW 2,466
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$125 ZMW 3,066
$43.34 ZMW 1,066
$199 ZMW 4,896
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$4.06 ZMW 99.9
$2.2 ZMW 54.2
$4.86 ZMW 119
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$180 ZMW 4,428
$61.1 ZMW 1,503
$312 ZMW 7,671
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,600 ZMW 236.2K
$4,006 ZMW 98.6K
$20K ZMW 492.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.91 ZMW 465
$13.62 ZMW 335
$22.71 ZMW 559
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.82 ZMW 414
$7.94 ZMW 195
$36.01 ZMW 886
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.9 ZMW 2,063
$44.92 ZMW 1,105
$109 ZMW 2,688
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.6 ZMW 1,787
$32.19 ZMW 792
$90.4 ZMW 2,223
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
25
6.5
30
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Kabwe - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kabwe a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with larger cities, and who tends to find the best value here?
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.
What does daily life look like for housing search, food, transport, and errands in Kabwe, especially for newcomers?
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.
How can you budget effectively, plan for seasonality, and choose a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle in Kabwe?
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.
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