Cost of Living in Ndola - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $477 (excluding rent), and $719 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $984 (excluding rent), and $2,679 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.12 ZMW 163

$3.76 ZMW 86.2

$14.13 ZMW 324

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.26 ZMW 579

$20.73 ZMW 475

$49.79 ZMW 1,141

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.64 ZMW 83.4

$3.61 ZMW 82.7

$3.91 ZMW 89.6

Cappuccino

$2.01 ZMW 46.18

$0.98 ZMW 22.39

$3.12 ZMW 71.6

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

$0.34 ZMW 7.84

$1.03 ZMW 23.52

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.18 ZMW 4.18

$0.52 ZMW 11.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.86 ZMW 19.82

$0.66 ZMW 15.03

$1.73 ZMW 39.63

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 ZMW 40.6

$1.15 ZMW 26.31

$2.3 ZMW 52.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.24 ZMW 28.33

$0.75 ZMW 17.18

$1.77 ZMW 40.6

White Bread (500g)

$0.76 ZMW 17.4

$0.49 ZMW 11.3

$0.94 ZMW 21.46

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 ZMW 38.01

$1.02 ZMW 23.46

$4.41 ZMW 101

Eggs

$1.31 ZMW 30.09

$1.02 ZMW 23.38

$3.58 ZMW 81.9

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.55 ZMW 173

$3.57 ZMW 81.7

$15.68 ZMW 359

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.87 ZMW 88.7

$1.81 ZMW 41.5

$6.39 ZMW 146

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.69 ZMW 107

$3.29 ZMW 75.4

$7.11 ZMW 163

Apples (1kg)

$1.27 ZMW 29.22

$1.1 ZMW 25.27

$3.73 ZMW 85.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 ZMW 37.44

$0.76 ZMW 17.33

$3.48 ZMW 79.7

Oranges (1kg)

$2.68 ZMW 61.5

$0.89 ZMW 20.41

$6.66 ZMW 153

Tomato (1kg)

$1.16 ZMW 26.58

$0.33 ZMW 7.46

$2.03 ZMW 46.64

Potato (1kg)

$1.9 ZMW 43.65

$0.42 ZMW 9.67

$5.32 ZMW 122

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 ZMW 30.36

$0.72 ZMW 16.42

$3.39 ZMW 77.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.94 ZMW 21.62

$0.41 ZMW 9.37

$1.38 ZMW 31.7

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ZMW 11.16

$0.29 ZMW 6.7

$1.1 ZMW 25.22

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.44 ZMW 56

$2.01 ZMW 46.12

$3.79 ZMW 86.8

Wine (Bottle)

$6.77 ZMW 155

$5.45 ZMW 125

$9.04 ZMW 207

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ZMW 26.05

$0.7 ZMW 15.96

$1.56 ZMW 35.67

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.52 ZMW 34.95

$0.9 ZMW 20.65

$2.56 ZMW 58.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 ZMW 11.78

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 ZMW 40.44

$2.98 ZMW 68.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.05 ZMW 207

$4.56 ZMW 104

$10.8 ZMW 247

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 ZMW 27.26

$1.13 ZMW 25.91

$1.61 ZMW 36.95

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

$7,886 ZMW 180.8K

$6,722 ZMW 154.1K

$9,051 ZMW 207.4K

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

$28.9K ZMW 663.4K

$6,207 ZMW 142.3K

$32.4K ZMW 743.3K

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

$92.4 ZMW 2,119

$38.82 ZMW 890

$203 ZMW 4,647

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

$35.88 ZMW 822

$5.63 ZMW 129

$99.3 ZMW 2,276

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 2,833

$43 ZMW 985

$197 ZMW 4,525

Cinema Ticket

$4.29 ZMW 98.3

$2.33 ZMW 53.4

$5.13 ZMW 118

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

$179 ZMW 4,099

$60.7 ZMW 1,391

$310 ZMW 7,100

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,669 ZMW 221.6K

$4,035 ZMW 92.5K

$20.2K ZMW 462.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.11 ZMW 438

$13.77 ZMW 316

$22.96 ZMW 526

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.87 ZMW 387

$7.96 ZMW 183

$36.12 ZMW 828

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.4 ZMW 1,957

$45.73 ZMW 1,048

$111 ZMW 2,550

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.5 ZMW 1,661

$32.12 ZMW 736

$90.2 ZMW 2,066

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$125 ZMW 2,864

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$110 ZMW 2,518

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$267 ZMW 6,114

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,475 ZMW 33.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

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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.