Cost of Living in Zambia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Zambia
Address: ZM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $278 per month with rent on average across Zambia.

A couple spends around $476 per month with rent on average across Zambia.

A family of three spends around $673 per month with rent on average across Zambia.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.02 ZMW 125

$3.77 ZMW 67.4

$11.24 ZMW 201

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.33 ZMW 416

$20.62 ZMW 368

$32.72 ZMW 584

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.63 ZMW 64.9

$3.54 ZMW 63.3

$3.84 ZMW 68.6

Cappuccino

$1.99 ZMW 35.51

$0.98 ZMW 17.48

$3.52 ZMW 62.8

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

$0.67 ZMW 11.96

$0.46 ZMW 8.28

$1.05 ZMW 18.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ZMW 6.32

$0.27 ZMW 4.83

$0.47 ZMW 8.37

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.87 ZMW 15.51

$0.55 ZMW 9.83

$1.76 ZMW 31.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 ZMW 27.00

$1.17 ZMW 20.94

$2.39 ZMW 42.62

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 ZMW 22.95

$0.80 ZMW 14.21

$1.75 ZMW 31.33

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 ZMW 15.16

$0.60 ZMW 10.77

$1.09 ZMW 19.54

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.82 ZMW 32.56

$1.17 ZMW 20.85

$4.42 ZMW 78.8

Eggs

$1.54 ZMW 27.53

$1.03 ZMW 18.35

$3.31 ZMW 59.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.82 ZMW 140

$3.69 ZMW 65.9

$16.22 ZMW 290

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.95 ZMW 70.5

$2.28 ZMW 40.62

$6.99 ZMW 125

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.01 ZMW 89.5

$2.79 ZMW 49.76

$7.24 ZMW 129

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 ZMW 41.73

$1.25 ZMW 22.37

$3.43 ZMW 61.3

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 ZMW 27.93

$0.84 ZMW 15.07

$2.97 ZMW 53.1

Oranges (1kg)

$2.61 ZMW 46.64

$1.20 ZMW 21.42

$3.82 ZMW 68.2

Tomato (1kg)

$1.15 ZMW 20.48

$0.38 ZMW 6.71

$1.98 ZMW 35.30

Potato (1kg)

$2.00 ZMW 35.63

$0.53 ZMW 9.39

$5.13 ZMW 91.6

Onion (1kg)

$1.35 ZMW 24.17

$0.71 ZMW 12.69

$2.63 ZMW 46.95

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.96 ZMW 17.21

$0.40 ZMW 7.22

$1.37 ZMW 24.43

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ZMW 9.54

$0.30 ZMW 5.37

$0.89 ZMW 15.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.21 ZMW 39.49

$1.77 ZMW 31.66

$3.76 ZMW 67.2

Wine (Bottle)

$10.52 ZMW 188

$6.56 ZMW 117

$19.12 ZMW 341

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.85 ZMW 15.14

$0.55 ZMW 9.80

$1.46 ZMW 26.14

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 ZMW 22.87

$0.77 ZMW 13.80

$2.63 ZMW 47.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ZMW 16.80

$0.53 ZMW 9.51

$1.76 ZMW 31.40

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.82 ZMW 711

$30.48 ZMW 544

$53.2 ZMW 950

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.50 ZMW 44.60

$1.80 ZMW 32.16

$3.05 ZMW 54.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.07 ZMW 19.15

$0.51 ZMW 9.12

$1.73 ZMW 30.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.04 ZMW 161

$9.03 ZMW 161

$10.78 ZMW 192

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 ZMW 21.78

$1.16 ZMW 20.70

$1.37 ZMW 24.48

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

$7,973 ZMW 142.3K

$6,796 ZMW 121.3K

$9,151 ZMW 163.3K

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

$28.6K ZMW 510.0K

$6,126 ZMW 109.4K

$32.0K ZMW 571.4K

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

$83.9 ZMW 1,498

$37.58 ZMW 671

$196 ZMW 3,503

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

$51.5 ZMW 919

$5.73 ZMW 102

$101 ZMW 1,804

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$125 ZMW 2,233

$43.51 ZMW 777

$200 ZMW 3,566

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.97 ZMW 749

$18.17 ZMW 324

$57.5 ZMW 1,026

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.59 ZMW 243

$9.17 ZMW 164

$18.60 ZMW 332

Cinema Ticket

$4.27 ZMW 76.3

$2.32 ZMW 41.43

$5.11 ZMW 91.3

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

$176 ZMW 3,140

$59.7 ZMW 1,066

$305 ZMW 5,439

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,775 ZMW 174.5K

$4,079 ZMW 72.8K

$20.4K ZMW 364.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.61 ZMW 350

$13.56 ZMW 242

$22.61 ZMW 404

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$17.42 ZMW 311

$7.95 ZMW 142

$36.08 ZMW 644

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.6 ZMW 1,403

$45.18 ZMW 806

$110 ZMW 1,962

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.1 ZMW 1,270

$42.01 ZMW 750

$89.3 ZMW 1,594

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$210 ZMW 3,743

$133 ZMW 2,376

$298 ZMW 5,318

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$129 ZMW 2,294

$91.4 ZMW 1,631

$181 ZMW 3,229

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$878 ZMW 15.7K

$467 ZMW 8,327

$2,031 ZMW 36.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$718 ZMW 12.8K

$272 ZMW 4,857

$1,521 ZMW 27.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,961 ZMW 35.0K

$1,902 ZMW 34.0K

$1,984 ZMW 35.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,654 ZMW 100.9K

$700 ZMW 12.5K

$18.6K ZMW 331.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$356 ZMW 6,353

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary across Zambia is $342 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $278, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $80.0 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $11.00.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($278) is 79% below the global median of $1,340.

Average rent ($22.00) is 96% below the global median of $627.

Dining out ($11.00) is 77% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($5.00) is 85% below the global median of $33.00.

By City in Zambia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	Chilanga	107051		$597	$660	$1,273	$1,297	38.4	38.54
2	Chingola	210073		$296	$340	$653	$820	40.97	51.07
3	Kabwe	117517		$506	$635	$1,292	$1,258	78.83	58.87
4	Kafue	-	35	$543	$707	$1,150	$1,422	73.54	260.05
5	Kalomo	-						45.61	70.24
6	Kansanshi	-						251.02	79.52
7	Kaoma	-						210.14	83.99
8	Kasama	113000						193.06	91.97
9	Kawambwa	46171						17.04	29.59
10	Kitwe	522092		$199	$214	$511	$494	92.75	64.82
11	Livingstone	136897		$166	$176	$507	$457	30.9	65.58
12	Lusaka	1742979	43	$638	$876	$1,419	$2,103	26.67	40.99
13	Namwala	-						27.14	95.27
14	Ndola	455194	37	$554	$722	$1,162	$2,678	116.33	67.4
15	Solwezi	1000000						33.62	79.52
16	Zimba	-		$110	$113	$229	$239	146.19	182.94

Zambia 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

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.

Zambia is affordable by global standards, though costs vary a lot by region. Smaller cities and rural areas are genuinely cheap, while capitals and tourist spots are pricier – but still below international averages for similar quality.

Rent in Zambia varies a lot – Lusaka has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.

Absolutely – in smaller cities across Zambia, $800 covers rent and daily expenses with room to spare for eating out, entertainment, and saving. Even mid-sized cities work at this budget level.