Last update: Oct 2026 Zambia 104.2K

Cost of Living in Kafue

For one person, living costs in Kafue are estimated at $591 a month, including rent and utilities – 35% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kafue

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

A single person spends around $591 per month with rent, or $511 for everyday expenses alone.

$591 /mo

A couple spends around $939 per month with rent, or $860 for everyday expenses alone.

$939 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,288 per month with rent, or $1,208 without housing.

$1,288 /mo

Overall, Kafue is about 56% below the global median. Within Africa, costs are well below average (35% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.61 ZMW 112
$5.10 ZMW 101
$20.40 ZMW 406
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.47 ZMW 606
$20.32 ZMW 404
$66.0 ZMW 1,314
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.20 ZMW 103
$5.20 ZMW 103
$7.81 ZMW 155
Cappuccino
$2.87 ZMW 57.0
$2.04 ZMW 40.60
$5.10 ZMW 101
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 ZMW 15.44
$0.52 ZMW 10.36
$1.40 ZMW 27.83
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ZMW 10.01
$0.43 ZMW 8.55
$1.06 ZMW 21.07
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.24 ZMW 24.59
$0.98 ZMW 19.56
$2.47 ZMW 49.19
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 ZMW 44.46
$1.49 ZMW 29.64
$2.49 ZMW 49.53
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.77 ZMW 35.17
$0.85 ZMW 16.98
$2.06 ZMW 41.03
White Bread (500g)
$1.24 ZMW 24.63
$0.93 ZMW 18.53
$1.56 ZMW 30.94
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.15 ZMW 42.77
$1.04 ZMW 20.67
$2.87 ZMW 57.1
Eggs
$1.89 ZMW 37.65
$1.32 ZMW 26.26
$4.73 ZMW 94.0
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.26 ZMW 204
$5.01 ZMW 99.7
$30.07 ZMW 598
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.45 ZMW 128
$2.57 ZMW 51.1
$9.23 ZMW 184
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.61 ZMW 131
$3.82 ZMW 75.9
$7.64 ZMW 152
Apples (1kg)
$3.31 ZMW 65.9
$1.48 ZMW 29.53
$4.90 ZMW 97.5
Banana (1kg)
$2.45 ZMW 48.76
$1.01 ZMW 20.18
$4.03 ZMW 80.1
Oranges (1kg)
$3.62 ZMW 72.1
$1.98 ZMW 39.29
$9.02 ZMW 179
Tomato (1kg)
$1.51 ZMW 30.01
$0.50 ZMW 9.87
$2.47 ZMW 49.18
Potato (1kg)
$2.67 ZMW 53.0
$0.62 ZMW 12.28
$5.15 ZMW 102
Onion (1kg)
$1.89 ZMW 37.51
$1.04 ZMW 20.59
$3.12 ZMW 62.0
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 ZMW 23.28
$0.52 ZMW 10.42
$1.82 ZMW 36.15
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 ZMW 15.55
$0.42 ZMW 8.28
$1.54 ZMW 30.69
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.99 ZMW 59.4
$2.24 ZMW 44.54
$4.98 ZMW 99.0
Wine (Bottle)
$10.18 ZMW 203
$6.62 ZMW 132
$15.27 ZMW 304
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47 ZMW 29.23
$1.02 ZMW 20.36
$1.79 ZMW 35.68
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 ZMW 47.35
$1.30 ZMW 25.92
$3.12 ZMW 62.1
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.48 ZMW 49.32
$1.24 ZMW 24.66
$2.48 ZMW 49.32
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.56 ZMW 31.06
$1.23 ZMW 24.52
$2.61 ZMW 51.9
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.94 ZMW 98.3
$2.48 ZMW 49.25
$7.42 ZMW 148
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 ZMW 29.93
$1.36 ZMW 27.00
$1.68 ZMW 33.46
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$7,751 ZMW 154.2K
$7,751 ZMW 154.2K
$7,751 ZMW 154.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K ZMW 546.0K
$27.5K ZMW 546.0K
$45.2K ZMW 898.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.7 ZMW 1,586
$49.83 ZMW 991
$125 ZMW 2,477
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.66 ZMW 212
$6.20 ZMW 123
$15.51 ZMW 308
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.3 ZMW 1,100
$35.40 ZMW 704
$75.9 ZMW 1,509
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$6.23 ZMW 124
$3.12 ZMW 62.0
$7.80 ZMW 155
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$140 ZMW 2,777
$76.2 ZMW 1,515
$254 ZMW 5,050
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.5K ZMW 328.6K
$7,085 ZMW 140.9K
$24.8K ZMW 492.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.38 ZMW 465
$15.17 ZMW 302
$35.39 ZMW 704
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.47 ZMW 308
$7.57 ZMW 151
$40.34 ZMW 802
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$46.03 ZMW 915
$20.54 ZMW 409
$77.0 ZMW 1,532
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.7 ZMW 1,445
$35.29 ZMW 702
$101 ZMW 2,006
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
29
13.25
32

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

Last update: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Kafue $591
Groceries & Markets
$241
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$146
Eating Out
$111
Clothing & Footwear
$71
Sport & Entertainment
$12 *
Getting Around
$10 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $241 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $30.00 – well below the African average of $41.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 90% of cities in Africa

Kafue is cheaper than 87% of cities worldwide and 53% within Africa.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
11:25 11:25 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
104,174
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ZMW – Zambian Kwacha Converter

Zambian Kwacha exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 19.89 ZMW (100 ZMW = 5.03 USD). 1 EUR = 22.36 ZMW (100 ZMW = 4.47 EUR).

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Kafue Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Kafue - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kafue stack up for affordability and value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
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.
What will daily life look like in Kafue for a traveler or expat, especially around housing, food, transport, and errands?
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.
What are practical tips for budgeting, seasonality, neighborhood fit, and long-term quality of life in Kafue?
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.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Kafue?
All in, Kafue runs about $591 monthly with rent, or $511 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
Is Kafue one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Kafue is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $591, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Kafue?
You'll want at least $886 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Kafue. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Kafue?
Groceries in Kafue are cheap – a single person spends about $241 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Kafue?
Food in Kafue is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $241 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Kafue?
$1,200 a month in Kafue? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $591, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What is life like for foreigners living in Kafue?
Kafue works well for expats – there's a solid range of international services, diverse housing, and established communities of foreigners. English-language options for healthcare, banking, and real estate are increasingly available, making the transition fairly smooth.
Is Kafue budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Kafue is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $591 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

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