Cost of living in Ndola

Ndola, a vibrant city in Zambia, offers a unique blend of cultural richness and economic opportunities. 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 housing, transportation, groceries, and more, to help you make informed financial decisions.

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 $1.32.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.5 and $0.94, with an average price of $0.77.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.01 to $3.54, averaging $1.2.
  • 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

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.15 and $1.64 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi 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

  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $1500.

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 5 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)
$1.32
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.77
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.20
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)
$1.26
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
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
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,500.00
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
OverviewJob Market
Ndola Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Ndola offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many urban centers. Dining out is inexpensive, and grocery prices are moderate.

Transportation costs are reasonable, with affordable taxi fares and fuel prices. However, internet services can be on the higher side.

Housing outside the city centre is available at competitive rates, making it a viable option for families and individuals alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ndola presents a balanced cost of living with affordable dining and transportation options. While some utilities like internet may be costly, overall expenses remain manageable.

This makes Ndola an attractive destination for those seeking a blend of affordability and quality of life in Zambia.

Ndola

Nearby Cities

Lubumbashi117 miles
Lusaka170 miles
All cities in Zambia