Cost of Living in Zambia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zambia
Address: ZM

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $642 (excluding rent), and $863 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,370 (excluding rent), and $2,115 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.21 ZMW 165

$3.87 ZMW 88.8

$11.54 ZMW 264

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.28 ZMW 534

$20.57 ZMW 472

$32.65 ZMW 748

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.7 ZMW 84.8

$3.61 ZMW 82.7

$3.91 ZMW 89.7

Cappuccino

$1.98 ZMW 45.37

$0.97 ZMW 22.34

$3.5 ZMW 80.3

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

$0.63 ZMW 14.46

$0.44 ZMW 10.01

$0.99 ZMW 22.7

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ZMW 7.41

$0.25 ZMW 5.66

$0.43 ZMW 9.8

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.86 ZMW 19.66

$0.54 ZMW 12.45

$1.73 ZMW 39.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 ZMW 33.44

$1.13 ZMW 25.93

$2.3 ZMW 52.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.25 ZMW 28.65

$0.77 ZMW 17.74

$1.71 ZMW 39.11

White Bread (500g)

$0.86 ZMW 19.6

$0.61 ZMW 13.93

$1.1 ZMW 25.27

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.75 ZMW 40.06

$1.12 ZMW 25.66

$4.23 ZMW 97

Eggs

$1.52 ZMW 34.93

$1.02 ZMW 23.29

$3.27 ZMW 75

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.83 ZMW 179

$3.69 ZMW 84.7

$16.24 ZMW 372

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.87 ZMW 88.8

$2.23 ZMW 51.2

$6.85 ZMW 157

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.78 ZMW 110

$2.66 ZMW 60.9

$6.9 ZMW 158

Apples (1kg)

$2.37 ZMW 54.2

$1.27 ZMW 29.08

$3.47 ZMW 79.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 ZMW 34.45

$0.81 ZMW 18.58

$2.86 ZMW 65.5

Oranges (1kg)

$2.55 ZMW 58.5

$1.17 ZMW 26.87

$3.74 ZMW 85.6

Tomato (1kg)

$1.19 ZMW 27.24

$0.39 ZMW 8.92

$2.05 ZMW 46.97

Potato (1kg)

$1.98 ZMW 45.31

$0.52 ZMW 11.95

$5.09 ZMW 117

Onion (1kg)

$1.4 ZMW 32.13

$0.74 ZMW 16.87

$2.72 ZMW 62.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.91 ZMW 20.81

$0.38 ZMW 8.73

$1.29 ZMW 29.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 ZMW 13.1

$0.32 ZMW 7.39

$0.96 ZMW 21.92

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.21 ZMW 50.7

$1.77 ZMW 40.62

$3.76 ZMW 86.2

Wine (Bottle)

$5.82 ZMW 133

$4.42 ZMW 101

$12.87 ZMW 295

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.9 ZMW 20.68

$0.58 ZMW 13.4

$1.56 ZMW 35.72

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.25 ZMW 28.64

$0.75 ZMW 17.27

$2.57 ZMW 58.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 ZMW 23.43

$0.58 ZMW 13.25

$1.91 ZMW 43.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.76 ZMW 934

$31.2 ZMW 715

$54.5 ZMW 1,249

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.44 ZMW 55.9

$1.76 ZMW 40.29

$2.97 ZMW 68.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.07 ZMW 24.47

$0.51 ZMW 11.65

$1.72 ZMW 39.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.26 ZMW 212

$9.25 ZMW 212

$11.05 ZMW 253

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ZMW 28.21

$1.17 ZMW 26.82

$1.38 ZMW 31.71

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

$8,004 ZMW 183.4K

$6,822 ZMW 156.4K

$9,186 ZMW 210.5K

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

$28.1K ZMW 644.9K

$6,034 ZMW 138.3K

$31.5K ZMW 722.6K

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

$85.7 ZMW 1,965

$38.38 ZMW 880

$200 ZMW 4,595

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

$51.5 ZMW 1,180

$5.73 ZMW 131

$101 ZMW 2,316

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$125 ZMW 2,865

$43.48 ZMW 996

$200 ZMW 4,575

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.56 ZMW 975

$18.43 ZMW 422

$58.3 ZMW 1,337

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.78 ZMW 316

$9.3 ZMW 213

$18.86 ZMW 432

Cinema Ticket

$4.22 ZMW 96.8

$2.29 ZMW 52.5

$5.05 ZMW 116

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

$177 ZMW 4,063

$60.2 ZMW 1,379

$307 ZMW 7,038

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,498 ZMW 217.7K

$3,963 ZMW 90.8K

$19.8K ZMW 454.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.41 ZMW 445

$13.42 ZMW 308

$22.38 ZMW 513

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.74 ZMW 407

$8.1 ZMW 186

$36.72 ZMW 842

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.9 ZMW 1,785

$44.77 ZMW 1,026

$109 ZMW 2,496

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.4 ZMW 1,636

$42.16 ZMW 966

$89.6 ZMW 2,054

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$212 ZMW 4,865

$135 ZMW 3,088

$302 ZMW 6,912

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$129 ZMW 2,955

$91.7 ZMW 2,102

$182 ZMW 4,160

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$862 ZMW 19.8K

$458 ZMW 10.5K

$1,995 ZMW 45.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$714 ZMW 16.4K

$271 ZMW 6,207

$1,514 ZMW 34.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,010 ZMW 46.1K

$1,950 ZMW 44.7K

$2,034 ZMW 46.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,988 ZMW 114.3K

$686 ZMW 15.7K

$15.9K ZMW 364.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$285 ZMW 6,532

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 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Zambia - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Zambia varies by city and lifestyle. Urban centers offer more options but can feel pricier than rural areas, while budget-friendly choices appear in guesthouses, local markets, and community amenities. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, value comes from mixing affordable everyday services with smart housing and transport decisions. Local markets, casual eateries, and cheaper public transport tend to keep the baseline comfortable, while occasional imported goods or premium services raise the bill. A practical approach is to blend low-cost routines with selective upgrades to support work needs. Tip: build a simple weekly plan to balance higher and lower-cost days.

Daily life in Zambia blends practicality with choice. For housing, look beyond the capital to regional towns where leases feel more negotiable and utilities are more affordable. Food options are abundant in local markets and affordable eateries, making home cooking a reliable saver. Transport ranges from shared minibuses to ride-hailing in cities, with walking or cycling viable in compact neighborhoods. Co-working spaces exist in major hubs, and cafes can serve as quick work spots. Erands are smoother when you know market hours and vendor rhythms. Zambia living cost shifts by location and season; plan a flexible routine to balance busy days with downtime. Tip: map a weekly route that covers work, shopping, and rest.

Quality of life in Zambia varies by neighborhood and pace. A practical budgeting framework helps you stay on track: set core categories (housing, food, transport, and activities), track a few essential expenses, and adjust with the seasons. Smart saving comes from choosing local groceries, cooking at home, using shared workspaces, and negotiating longer leases when possible. To find the right fit, visit a mix of areas – from city centers to quieter suburbs or lakeside zones – and test commute times and access to services. Seasonal shifts can affect crowds and prices, so keep a flexible plan. Tip: keep a small buffer for unexpected costs and sample several districts before committing.