Cost of living in Lusaka

Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, is a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture and economic significance. Understanding the cost of living in Lusaka is crucial for both residents and newcomers, as it provides insights into budgeting and financial planning.

This guide offers a detailed breakdown of various expenses in Lusaka, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you make informed decisions.

An image showcasing the beauty of Lusaka

People enjoying the surroundings of Lusaka

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA 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

MilkMilk 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 between $0.57 and $3.06, with a monthly pass priced between $30.62 and $40.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.15 and $1.48 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $1.82, 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)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $153.11 to $800, averaging $214.42.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $76.59 to $180, averaging $125.8.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $500 to $2000, averaging $990.05.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $268.32 to $1500, averaging $543.1.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $2000 to $10763.91, averaging $2000.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $2000 to $24890.19, averaging $4840.62.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $45.4 and $200, averaging $100.08.
InternetInternet 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 38 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

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

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

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$1.23

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.04

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

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$330.64

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

21.25%

Childcare

Avg / Range

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

Worldwide

Zambia

Cost of Living Rankings

Lusaka ranks 1st on the Cost of Living rankings in Zambia.

The cost of living indices for Zambia are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Zambia, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025

Lusaka

Zambia

Overview Job Market

Affordability

Very Expensive

About this index

Lusaka Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Lusaka offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many global cities, particularly in terms of housing and dining.
Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable public transport options and reasonable fuel prices.
Grocery prices vary, with some items like bread and milk being quite affordable, while others, such as imported goods, can be more expensive.
Utilities and internet services can be a significant expense, so budgeting for these is important.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Lusaka presents a cost-effective living environment, especially for those mindful of their budget. The city offers a range of affordable housing options and dining experiences, making it an attractive destination for both locals and expatriates.

While some costs, such as utilities and internet, may be higher, the overall expenses remain manageable with careful planning. Understanding these costs can help residents and newcomers alike to make informed financial decisions and enjoy what Lusaka has to offer.