Cost of Living in Ndola - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $553 (excluding rent), and $711 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,128 (excluding rent), and $2,727 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.25 ZMW 139

$3.83 ZMW 73.3

$14.41 ZMW 276

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.56 ZMW 470

$20.16 ZMW 386

$48.40 ZMW 926

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.64 ZMW 69.7

$3.61 ZMW 69.1

$3.91 ZMW 74.9

Cappuccino

$1.97 ZMW 37.63

$0.95 ZMW 18.24

$3.05 ZMW 58.3

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

$0.35 ZMW 6.67

$1.05 ZMW 20.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.20 ZMW 3.92

$0.58 ZMW 11.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.92 ZMW 17.64

$0.70 ZMW 13.37

$1.84 ZMW 35.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.77 ZMW 33.94

$1.15 ZMW 21.99

$2.30 ZMW 43.99

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 ZMW 24.79

$0.79 ZMW 15.03

$1.86 ZMW 35.53

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 ZMW 15.03

$0.51 ZMW 9.76

$0.97 ZMW 18.54

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.58 ZMW 30.30

$0.98 ZMW 18.70

$4.21 ZMW 80.6

Eggs

$1.33 ZMW 25.37

$1.03 ZMW 19.71

$3.61 ZMW 69.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.75 ZMW 148

$3.66 ZMW 70.0

$16.08 ZMW 308

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.80 ZMW 72.8

$1.78 ZMW 34.05

$6.28 ZMW 120

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.59 ZMW 87.9

$3.22 ZMW 61.6

$6.96 ZMW 133

Apples (1kg)

$1.23 ZMW 23.47

$1.06 ZMW 20.30

$3.59 ZMW 68.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 ZMW 31.25

$0.76 ZMW 14.47

$3.48 ZMW 66.5

Oranges (1kg)

$2.69 ZMW 51.4

$0.89 ZMW 17.07

$6.68 ZMW 128

Tomato (1kg)

$1.13 ZMW 21.56

$0.32 ZMW 6.05

$1.98 ZMW 37.82

Potato (1kg)

$1.90 ZMW 36.40

$0.42 ZMW 8.07

$5.32 ZMW 102

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 ZMW 25.59

$0.72 ZMW 13.84

$3.42 ZMW 65.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.94 ZMW 17.92

$0.41 ZMW 7.77

$1.37 ZMW 26.28

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 ZMW 9.32

$0.29 ZMW 5.59

$1.10 ZMW 21.07

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.54 ZMW 48.50

$2.09 ZMW 39.93

$3.93 ZMW 75.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 ZMW 21.68

$0.69 ZMW 13.28

$1.55 ZMW 29.68

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 ZMW 30.29

$0.94 ZMW 17.90

$2.66 ZMW 51.0

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.52 ZMW 9.91

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.77 ZMW 33.85

$2.99 ZMW 57.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.13 ZMW 175

$4.60 ZMW 88.0

$10.89 ZMW 208

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 ZMW 22.59

$1.12 ZMW 21.47

$1.60 ZMW 30.62

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

$8,146 ZMW 155.8K

$6,943 ZMW 132.8K

$9,348 ZMW 178.8K

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

$28.5K ZMW 544.6K

$6,104 ZMW 116.8K

$31.9K ZMW 610.2K

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

$92.4 ZMW 1,768

$38.80 ZMW 742

$203 ZMW 3,877

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

$36.82 ZMW 704

$5.78 ZMW 111

$102 ZMW 1,950

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$127 ZMW 2,438

$44.32 ZMW 848

$203 ZMW 3,893

Cinema Ticket

$4.09 ZMW 78.3

$2.22 ZMW 42.54

$4.90 ZMW 93.7

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

$174 ZMW 3,324

$59.0 ZMW 1,128

$301 ZMW 5,757

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,579 ZMW 183.2K

$3,997 ZMW 76.5K

$20.0K ZMW 382.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.62 ZMW 356

$13.42 ZMW 257

$22.37 ZMW 428

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.78 ZMW 321

$7.92 ZMW 152

$35.93 ZMW 687

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.7 ZMW 1,640

$45.92 ZMW 878

$112 ZMW 2,137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.1 ZMW 1,399

$32.42 ZMW 620

$91.0 ZMW 1,741

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$127 ZMW 2,435

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$110 ZMW 2,096

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$275 ZMW 5,265

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,475 ZMW 28.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$600 ZMW 11.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

Ndola Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

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.