Cost of Living in Ndola - Updated Prices & Insights

19.24

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $516 (excluding rent), and $711 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,119 (excluding rent), and $2,675 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.42 ZMW 183

$3.92 ZMW 96.5

$14.75 ZMW 363

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.84 ZMW 611

$20.39 ZMW 502

$48.96 ZMW 1,205

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.51 ZMW 86.4

$3.48 ZMW 85.7

$3.77 ZMW 92.9

Cappuccino

$1.93 ZMW 47.45

$0.94 ZMW 23.01

$2.99 ZMW 73.6

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

$0.35 ZMW 8.5

$1.04 ZMW 25.5

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.2 ZMW 5.04

$0.58 ZMW 14.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.88 ZMW 21.58

$0.67 ZMW 16.37

$1.75 ZMW 43.17

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 ZMW 44.44

$1.17 ZMW 28.8

$2.34 ZMW 57.6

Milk (1 liter)

$1.28 ZMW 31.5

$0.78 ZMW 19.1

$1.84 ZMW 45.15

White Bread (500g)

$0.74 ZMW 18.12

$0.48 ZMW 11.76

$0.91 ZMW 22.35

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.66 ZMW 40.93

$1.03 ZMW 25.26

$4.43 ZMW 109

Eggs

$1.27 ZMW 31.15

$0.98 ZMW 24.2

$3.45 ZMW 84.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.93 ZMW 195

$3.74 ZMW 92.1

$16.46 ZMW 405

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.79 ZMW 93.3

$1.77 ZMW 43.63

$6.26 ZMW 154

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.68 ZMW 115

$3.28 ZMW 80.7

$7.08 ZMW 174

Apples (1kg)

$1.29 ZMW 31.81

$1.12 ZMW 27.52

$3.79 ZMW 93.2

Banana (1kg)

$1.65 ZMW 40.66

$0.77 ZMW 18.83

$3.52 ZMW 86.6

Oranges (1kg)

$2.8 ZMW 69

$0.93 ZMW 22.91

$6.97 ZMW 171

Tomato (1kg)

$1.15 ZMW 28.41

$0.32 ZMW 7.97

$2.03 ZMW 49.84

Potato (1kg)

$1.9 ZMW 46.65

$0.42 ZMW 10.34

$5.3 ZMW 130

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 ZMW 32.53

$0.72 ZMW 17.59

$3.38 ZMW 83.1

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.88 ZMW 21.59

$0.38 ZMW 9.35

$1.29 ZMW 31.66

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ZMW 12.65

$0.31 ZMW 7.59

$1.16 ZMW 28.58

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.43 ZMW 59.7

$2 ZMW 49.12

$3.76 ZMW 92.5

Wine (Bottle)

$6.57 ZMW 162

$4.95 ZMW 122

$8.78 ZMW 216

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 ZMW 26.6

$0.66 ZMW 16.29

$1.48 ZMW 36.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 ZMW 38.15

$0.92 ZMW 22.54

$2.61 ZMW 64.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.56 ZMW 13.68

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ZMW 45.8

$3.15 ZMW 77.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.92 ZMW 220

$4.5 ZMW 111

$10.65 ZMW 262

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 ZMW 28.97

$1.12 ZMW 27.53

$1.6 ZMW 39.26

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

$8,122 ZMW 199.8K

$6,922 ZMW 170.3K

$9,321 ZMW 229.3K

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

$28.4K ZMW 697.6K

$6,081 ZMW 149.6K

$31.8K ZMW 781.6K

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

$92.7 ZMW 2,280

$38.92 ZMW 957

$203 ZMW 5,001

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

$36.16 ZMW 890

$5.68 ZMW 140

$100 ZMW 2,462

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 3,056

$43.21 ZMW 1,063

$198 ZMW 4,880

Cinema Ticket

$4.06 ZMW 100

$2.21 ZMW 54.3

$4.86 ZMW 120

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

$179 ZMW 4,408

$60.8 ZMW 1,496

$310 ZMW 7,636

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,607 ZMW 236.3K

$4,009 ZMW 98.6K

$20K ZMW 493.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.18 ZMW 472

$13.82 ZMW 340

$23.04 ZMW 567

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.18 ZMW 423

$8.11 ZMW 200

$36.79 ZMW 905

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.5 ZMW 2,103

$45.78 ZMW 1,126

$111 ZMW 2,740

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.7 ZMW 1,814

$32.68 ZMW 804

$91.7 ZMW 2,257

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$125 ZMW 3,072

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$110 ZMW 2,698

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$267 ZMW 6,563

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,482 ZMW 36.5K

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 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.