Cost of Living in Kafue - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $615 (excluding rent), and $688 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,289 (excluding rent), and $1,365 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.3 ZMW 180

$3.86 ZMW 94.9

$14.49 ZMW 357

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.31 ZMW 623

$20.78 ZMW 511

$49.9 ZMW 1,228

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.76 ZMW 92.4

$3.62 ZMW 89.2

$3.93 ZMW 96.7

Cappuccino

$2.01 ZMW 49.57

$0.98 ZMW 24.03

$3.12 ZMW 76.9

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

$0.68 ZMW 16.7

$0.46 ZMW 11.21

$1.05 ZMW 25.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ZMW 8.97

$0.24 ZMW 5.9

$0.53 ZMW 13.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.88 ZMW 21.58

$0.67 ZMW 16.36

$1.75 ZMW 43.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 ZMW 44.69

$1.18 ZMW 28.96

$2.35 ZMW 57.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.31 ZMW 32.32

$0.78 ZMW 19.15

$1.84 ZMW 45.25

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 ZMW 19.39

$0.51 ZMW 12.59

$0.97 ZMW 23.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 ZMW 40.89

$1.03 ZMW 25.24

$4.42 ZMW 109

Eggs

$1.83 ZMW 45.14

$1.02 ZMW 25.19

$3.59 ZMW 88.3

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.52 ZMW 185

$3.55 ZMW 87.3

$15.6 ZMW 384

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.94 ZMW 96.8

$1.84 ZMW 45.3

$6.5 ZMW 160

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.64 ZMW 114

$3.25 ZMW 80

$7.03 ZMW 173

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ZMW 63.1

$1.1 ZMW 27.1

$3.73 ZMW 91.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.6 ZMW 39.35

$0.74 ZMW 18.22

$3.41 ZMW 83.8

Oranges (1kg)

$2.7 ZMW 66.5

$0.9 ZMW 22.09

$6.72 ZMW 165

Tomato (1kg)

$1.11 ZMW 27.38

$0.31 ZMW 7.69

$1.95 ZMW 48.04

Potato (1kg)

$1.82 ZMW 44.74

$0.4 ZMW 9.92

$5.08 ZMW 125

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 ZMW 32.66

$0.72 ZMW 17.66

$3.39 ZMW 83.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 ZMW 21.83

$0.38 ZMW 9.46

$1.3 ZMW 32.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ZMW 12.88

$0.31 ZMW 7.73

$1.18 ZMW 29.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.52 ZMW 62.1

$2.08 ZMW 51.1

$3.91 ZMW 96.3

Wine (Bottle)

$6.51 ZMW 160

$4.9 ZMW 121

$8.7 ZMW 214

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ZMW 27.9

$0.69 ZMW 17.09

$1.55 ZMW 38.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.5 ZMW 36.95

$0.89 ZMW 21.84

$2.53 ZMW 62.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.69 ZMW 41.51

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$47.28 ZMW 1,163

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.8 ZMW 68.8

$1.86 ZMW 45.67

$3.12 ZMW 76.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.4 ZMW 231

$4.74 ZMW 117

$11.22 ZMW 276

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ZMW 30.04

$1.16 ZMW 28.55

$1.31 ZMW 32.27

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

$7,909 ZMW 194.6K

$6,741 ZMW 165.8K

$9,077 ZMW 223.3K

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

$28.6K ZMW 703.7K

$6,134 ZMW 150.9K

$32.1K ZMW 788.4K

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

$90.9 ZMW 2,235

$38.15 ZMW 938

$199 ZMW 4,902

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

$52.2 ZMW 1,283

$5.62 ZMW 138

$99.2 ZMW 2,439

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 3,059

$43.26 ZMW 1,064

$199 ZMW 4,886

Cinema Ticket

$4.14 ZMW 102

$2.25 ZMW 55.4

$4.96 ZMW 122

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

$177 ZMW 4,342

$59.9 ZMW 1,474

$306 ZMW 7,521

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,469 ZMW 232.9K

$3,951 ZMW 97.2K

$19.8K ZMW 486K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19 ZMW 467

$13.69 ZMW 337

$22.83 ZMW 562

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.78 ZMW 413

$7.92 ZMW 195

$35.94 ZMW 884

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.3 ZMW 2,075

$45.17 ZMW 1,111

$110 ZMW 2,703

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.6 ZMW 1,785

$32.16 ZMW 791

$90.3 ZMW 2,220

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

City tags:

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Cost of Living in Kafue - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with Lusaka or Livingstone, Kafue offers more breathing room for your budget, especially if you lean on local markets and simpler housing. The Cost of Living in Kafue is generally accessible for short stays and longer relocations, with cheaper rents in basic compounds and affordable, locally sourced meals. You’ll notice a slower pace, fewer international facilities, and more opportunities to stretch your dollars by cooking, using public transport, and negotiating short-term leases. Expect occasional gaps in imported goods or stable high-speed connectivity, and plan for periodic power and water fluctuations. Tip: Begin with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods and utilities before committing longer-term.

Daily life in Kafue tends to be straightforward and relaxed, with quick access to nature and river views. For housing, look for compact houses or compounds, ideally with reliable water and basic security; negotiate a short-term lease to test routines. Food options come from local markets, roadside stalls, and small grocers; many staples are affordable when you buy locally. Transport is typically via shared taxis or buses; walking is feasible in central areas. For work, you may find limited coworking spaces, so plan around internet reliability and offline work options. Kafue living cost stays manageable if you localize shopping and limit imported goods. Tip: Build a routine around the market days and choose a base near amenities to cut daily trips.

Quality of life in Kafue balances a slower pace with practical constraints. A simple budgeting framework works best: split your essentials (rent, utilities, food) from discretionary spending (eating out, activities) and track it in your preferred app or notebook. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonally, and using public transport. Seasonality affects travel and road conditions during the rainy months, so build a flexible schedule. Neighborhood fit depends on access to water, electricity, and safety; central areas near the river can offer better services, while outlying pockets may be quieter. Tip: Build a local network to share tips on discounts and safe routes.