Cost of Living in Ndola - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $532 (excluding rent), and $712 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,062 (excluding rent), and $2,680 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.42 ZMW 148

$3.92 ZMW 78.4

$14.74 ZMW 294

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.86 ZMW 497

$20.40 ZMW 408

$49.00 ZMW 979

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.63 ZMW 72.4

$3.59 ZMW 71.8

$3.90 ZMW 77.8

Cappuccino

$2.03 ZMW 40.48

$0.98 ZMW 19.63

$3.14 ZMW 62.8

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

$0.38 ZMW 7.50

$1.13 ZMW 22.51

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 ZMW 3.38

$0.48 ZMW 9.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.95 ZMW 18.89

$0.72 ZMW 14.32

$1.89 ZMW 37.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.84 ZMW 36.82

$1.19 ZMW 23.86

$2.39 ZMW 47.72

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 ZMW 25.61

$0.78 ZMW 15.53

$1.84 ZMW 36.70

White Bread (500g)

$0.75 ZMW 15.06

$0.49 ZMW 9.78

$0.93 ZMW 18.58

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 ZMW 31.97

$0.99 ZMW 19.74

$4.26 ZMW 85.1

Eggs

$1.28 ZMW 25.50

$0.99 ZMW 19.81

$3.48 ZMW 69.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.79 ZMW 156

$3.68 ZMW 73.5

$16.16 ZMW 323

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.92 ZMW 78.3

$1.83 ZMW 36.65

$6.47 ZMW 129

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.54 ZMW 90.7

$3.18 ZMW 63.6

$6.88 ZMW 137

Apples (1kg)

$1.30 ZMW 25.92

$1.12 ZMW 22.42

$3.80 ZMW 75.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 ZMW 32.15

$0.74 ZMW 14.88

$3.43 ZMW 68.5

Oranges (1kg)

$2.76 ZMW 55.1

$0.92 ZMW 18.31

$6.86 ZMW 137

Tomato (1kg)

$1.16 ZMW 23.12

$0.32 ZMW 6.49

$2.03 ZMW 40.55

Potato (1kg)

$1.83 ZMW 36.57

$0.41 ZMW 8.10

$5.11 ZMW 102

Onion (1kg)

$1.39 ZMW 27.70

$0.75 ZMW 14.98

$3.54 ZMW 70.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.93 ZMW 18.59

$0.40 ZMW 8.05

$1.36 ZMW 27.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ZMW 9.65

$0.29 ZMW 5.79

$1.09 ZMW 21.81

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.44 ZMW 48.72

$2.01 ZMW 40.11

$3.78 ZMW 75.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.10 ZMW 21.90

$0.67 ZMW 13.42

$1.50 ZMW 29.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 ZMW 30.99

$0.92 ZMW 18.32

$2.61 ZMW 52.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.53 ZMW 10.55

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ZMW 37.07

$3.14 ZMW 62.7

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.31 ZMW 186

$4.69 ZMW 93.7

$11.11 ZMW 222

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 ZMW 23.58

$1.12 ZMW 22.41

$1.60 ZMW 31.96

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

$8,015 ZMW 160.1K

$6,831 ZMW 136.5K

$9,198 ZMW 183.8K

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

$29.1K ZMW 581.7K

$6,243 ZMW 124.7K

$32.6K ZMW 651.8K

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

$91.8 ZMW 1,835

$38.56 ZMW 770

$201 ZMW 4,024

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

$36.76 ZMW 734

$5.77 ZMW 115

$102 ZMW 2,033

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 2,481

$43.19 ZMW 863

$198 ZMW 3,962

Cinema Ticket

$4.23 ZMW 84.5

$2.30 ZMW 45.89

$5.06 ZMW 101

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

$178 ZMW 3,549

$60.3 ZMW 1,204

$308 ZMW 6,147

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,602 ZMW 191.9K

$4,007 ZMW 80.1K

$20.0K ZMW 400.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.91 ZMW 378

$13.63 ZMW 272

$22.72 ZMW 454

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.15 ZMW 343

$8.10 ZMW 162

$36.73 ZMW 734

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ZMW 1,715

$45.97 ZMW 918

$112 ZMW 2,234

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.9 ZMW 1,457

$32.32 ZMW 646

$90.7 ZMW 1,813

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$127 ZMW 2,535

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$107 ZMW 2,145

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$275 ZMW 5,489

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,528 ZMW 30.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Ndola Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

142

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 Ndola - Frequently Asked Questions

Ndola offers a balanced mix of modest local prices and growing urban amenities. If you compare neighborhoods, basic groceries, street food, and public transport stay economical, while newer apartments and central offices can push rents higher. Cost of Living in Ndola tends to favor those who tailor housing and transport to a mid-range lifestyle rather than chasing luxury. Expect a range of options – from affordable guesthouses to serviced apartments – whose costs rise or fall with location, building age, and season. Practical budgeting means testing a few neighborhoods on short stays, negotiating longer leases, and pairing public transport with occasional rideshares. Tip: set a realistic monthly plan and adjust as you settle in.

Daily life in Ndola mixes practical simplicity with city conveniences. Start your housing search by checking central business districts and quieter residential pockets, using local agents and short-term stays to test the fit; deposits are common, and lease terms vary. Food comes in diverse forms: bustling markets, street stalls, and affordable supermarkets offer fresh produce, while cafés and restaurants let you sample local flavors. For transport, minibus routes (combis) and taxis are convenient; walking remains pleasant in dense zones. Errands flow smoothly if you keep basic names of neighborhoods at hand and use mobile money where available. Ndola living cost tends to shift with location and season, so budget for variable utilities and transit. Tip: map out a simple weekly plan before you begin.

A practical budget hinges on steady housing choices, flexible dining, and low-friction transport. Start with a base plan that prioritizes a comfortable neighborhood close to markets or work hubs, then adjust as you explore. Leverage local markets and affordable eateries to stretch meals without sacrificing variety, and use reliable public transport or shared rides to keep commuting costs in check. Choose coworking spaces with reliable internet for productivity, and test a few banks or mobile payment options to simplify errands. Seasonality affects clothing and outdoor activities, so pack accordingly and plan outdoor workdays during cooler dry periods. Tip: keep a simple monthly tracker and revisit it after your first 4 weeks.