🇿🇲Cost of Living in Lusaka

Zambia · Population: 3,300,000 · Cost Index: 30/100

Cost of Living in Lusaka

Zambia · Africa

Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia, located on a plateau in the south-central part of the country at an elevation of about 1,300 meters. The city is one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa, serving as the commercial and governmental heart of this copper-rich nation.

3,300,000

Population

Cost Index

Safety Index

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $680 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $402.50

1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)

$350.00

1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)

$180.00

3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)

$700.00

3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)

$380.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $4.36

Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)

$3.50

Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)

$22.00

McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)

$5.50

Milk (1 liter)(per liter)

$1.20

Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)

$0.60

Rice (1 kg)(per kg)

$1.20

Eggs (12)(per dozen)

$1.80

Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)

$4.50

Apples (1 kg)(per kg)

$2.50

Banana (1 kg)(per kg)

$0.80

Transportation

Avg: $4.63

Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)

$20.00

One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)

$0.35

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)

$1.00

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)

$0.50

Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)

$1.30

Utilities

Avg: $32.33

Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)

$50.00

Mobile Phone Plan(per month)

$12.00

Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)

$35.00

Healthcare

Avg: $11.67

Doctor Visit(per visit)

$12.00

Dentist Visit(per visit)

$18.00

Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)

$5.00

Entertainment

Avg: $9.75

Fitness Club Monthly(per month)

$30.00

Cinema Ticket(per ticket)

$4.50

Cappuccino(per cup)

$2.50

Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)

$2.00

Clothing

Avg: $40.67

Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)

$40.00

Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)

$22.00

Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)

$60.00

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See how Lusaka stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency: ZMW
Language: English
Cost Index: 30/100
Safety Index: 40/100
Quality of Life: 35/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.