Kafue, a town in Zambia, offers a unique blend of urban and rural living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $6.71 on average, with a range between $3.64 and $9.1.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $23.15, with prices ranging from $19.97 to $49.18.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $3.63, with a range between $3.37 and $3.88.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.69 to $1.82, imported beer $1.14 to $2.32, cappuccino $0.93 to $3.45, and Coke/Pepsi $0.41 to $1.02.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1 and $1.82 per liter, averaging $1.35.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.5 and $0.92, with an average price of $0.77.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.01 to $3.54, averaging $1.75.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.09 to $3.45 per kg, while oranges range from $0.91 to $6.81 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.41 and $5.17 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.39 to $1.32 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.66.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.15 and $1.48 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.74, with a cost of $0.5 to $1.69 per km and $4.63 to $10.97 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Data not available.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Data not available.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - Data not available.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Data not available.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $45.4 and $200, averaging $100.08.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $43.56 to $200, with an average cost of $116.77.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 2 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$6.71
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$23.15
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$3.63
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.91
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.94
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.35
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.77
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.75
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.75
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$6.64
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$2.38
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.84
Apples (1kg)
$2.50
Oranges (1kg)
$2.74
Potato (1kg)
$2.08
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.88
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.86
Tomato (1kg)
$1.21
Banana (1kg)
$1.50
Onion (1kg)
$1.52
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$4.52
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.66
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$46.66
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$8,004.53
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.74
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.16
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.19
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$28,559.57
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$100.08
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$116.77
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$87.12
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$4.18
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.43
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$18.78
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$90.18
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$82.76
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
21.25%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$176.79
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$9,585.47
Kafue Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Kafue offers affordable dining options, with inexpensive meals costing as low as $3.64.

Grocery prices are relatively low, making it easier to manage daily expenses.

Transportation costs are moderate, with gasoline prices averaging $1.25 per liter.

Utilities and internet services can be a significant expense, with internet costs notably high.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kafue presents a cost-effective living environment, particularly in terms of dining and groceries.

While transportation and utilities are moderately priced, potential residents should be prepared for higher internet costs.

Overall, Kafue offers a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability in Zambia.