Cost of Living in Ndola - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $526 (excluding rent), and $727 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,069 (excluding rent), and $2,752 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.34 ZMW 140

$3.88 ZMW 74.2

$14.59 ZMW 279

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$24.63 ZMW 471

$20.22 ZMW 387

$48.55 ZMW 929

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.69 ZMW 70.6

$3.66 ZMW 70.0

$3.97 ZMW 75.9

Cappuccino

$1.94 ZMW 37.06

$0.94 ZMW 17.97

$3.00 ZMW 57.5

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

$0.38 ZMW 7.23

$1.13 ZMW 21.68

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 ZMW 3.69

$0.55 ZMW 10.44

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.95 ZMW 18.15

$0.72 ZMW 13.76

$1.90 ZMW 36.30

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 ZMW 33.97

$1.15 ZMW 22.01

$2.30 ZMW 44.02

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 ZMW 23.88

$0.76 ZMW 14.48

$1.79 ZMW 34.23

White Bread (500g)

$0.74 ZMW 14.12

$0.48 ZMW 9.17

$0.91 ZMW 17.42

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 ZMW 31.35

$1.01 ZMW 19.35

$4.36 ZMW 83.4

Eggs

$1.33 ZMW 25.41

$1.03 ZMW 19.74

$3.62 ZMW 69.2

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.67 ZMW 147

$3.62 ZMW 69.3

$15.92 ZMW 304

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.92 ZMW 75.0

$1.83 ZMW 35.09

$6.47 ZMW 124

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.74 ZMW 90.6

$3.32 ZMW 63.5

$7.18 ZMW 137

Apples (1kg)

$1.23 ZMW 23.53

$1.06 ZMW 20.35

$3.60 ZMW 68.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 ZMW 30.41

$0.74 ZMW 14.08

$3.39 ZMW 64.8

Oranges (1kg)

$2.76 ZMW 52.7

$0.92 ZMW 17.52

$6.85 ZMW 131

Tomato (1kg)

$1.16 ZMW 22.25

$0.33 ZMW 6.25

$2.04 ZMW 39.03

Potato (1kg)

$1.90 ZMW 36.28

$0.42 ZMW 8.04

$5.30 ZMW 101

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 ZMW 25.59

$0.72 ZMW 13.84

$3.42 ZMW 65.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.93 ZMW 17.83

$0.40 ZMW 7.73

$1.37 ZMW 26.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ZMW 9.82

$0.31 ZMW 5.89

$1.16 ZMW 22.19

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.44 ZMW 46.62

$2.01 ZMW 38.39

$3.78 ZMW 72.3

Wine (Bottle)

$8.06 ZMW 154

$5.49 ZMW 105

$15.39 ZMW 294

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 ZMW 21.86

$0.70 ZMW 13.39

$1.56 ZMW 29.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 ZMW 28.98

$0.90 ZMW 17.12

$2.55 ZMW 48.74

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.53 ZMW 10.12

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.85 ZMW 35.36

$3.13 ZMW 59.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.40 ZMW 180

$4.74 ZMW 90.6

$11.22 ZMW 215

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 ZMW 22.93

$1.14 ZMW 21.79

$1.62 ZMW 31.07

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

$8,004 ZMW 153.1K

$6,822 ZMW 130.5K

$9,186 ZMW 175.7K

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

$29.0K ZMW 554.6K

$6,217 ZMW 118.9K

$32.5K ZMW 621.4K

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

$91.7 ZMW 1,755

$38.52 ZMW 737

$201 ZMW 3,849

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

$36.09 ZMW 690

$5.66 ZMW 108

$99.9 ZMW 1,911

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$124 ZMW 2,380

$43.26 ZMW 828

$199 ZMW 3,800

Cinema Ticket

$4.09 ZMW 78.3

$2.22 ZMW 42.50

$4.89 ZMW 93.6

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

$175 ZMW 3,340

$59.3 ZMW 1,134

$302 ZMW 5,785

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,561 ZMW 182.9K

$3,990 ZMW 76.3K

$19.9K ZMW 381.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.13 ZMW 366

$13.79 ZMW 264

$22.98 ZMW 440

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$16.97 ZMW 325

$8.01 ZMW 153

$36.33 ZMW 695

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.2 ZMW 1,610

$45.08 ZMW 862

$110 ZMW 2,098

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.7 ZMW 1,410

$32.68 ZMW 625

$91.7 ZMW 1,755

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$129 ZMW 2,459

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$110 ZMW 2,103

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$268 ZMW 5,125

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,481 ZMW 28.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$592 ZMW 11.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

Ndola Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.