MigrantoCost of living in Zambia
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Zambia
Spending runs from ZMW 247 a month in the poorest fifth to ZMW 3,640 in the richest
Per person, whole country
ZMW 792
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
ZMW 247richest 20%
ZMW 3,640
Where people spend money in Zambia
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Zambia in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 37.8% of spending here, or ZMW 299 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 18.1 points more.
Typical spending takes 22% of the average wage
A typical person spends ZMW 792 a month while the average take-home wage is ZMW 3,610, so 78% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
Among the cheapest countries in the world
Cheaper than 92% of countries. A basket that costs ZMW 17,600 at world-middle prices costs ZMW 11,200 here.
The richest fifth spends 14.8× the poorest
Spending runs from ZMW 247 a month in the poorest fifth to ZMW 3,640 in the richest, which is #8 of 185 countries by that gap. A single national average hides a lot here.
How living costs in Zambia compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Zambia against other countries
Cheaper than 92% of countries
Where Zambia sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs ZMW 17,600 at world-middle prices costs ZMW 11,200 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2020 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Zambia
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Cost of living in Zambia
ZMW 247/mo
vs ZMW 14,100 in your country
Take-home
ZMW 1,370
vs ZMW 21,100 in your country
Potential savings
ZMW 1,120
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Zambia?
A typical person in Zambia spends about ZMW 792 a month — around ZMW 9,510 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Zambia?
By spending, Zambia ranks #175 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about ZMW 792 a month, the poorest 20% about ZMW 247 and the richest 20% about ZMW 3,640. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Zambia in US dollars?
The cost of living in Zambia is about $45 a month, or roughly $540 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Zambia?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about ZMW 247 a month per person, a typical one around ZMW 792, and a comfortable life around ZMW 1,340. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Zambia?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about ZMW 299 a month (38% of spending). Then come transport (ZMW 158, 21%) and housing (ZMW 106, 14%).
Is the average salary in Zambia enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about ZMW 792 a month, while the average take-home pay in Zambia is about ZMW 3,610. For more on incomes, see salaries in Zambia.
Is Zambia an expensive country to live in?
No. Zambia is more expensive than 5% of countries worldwide and ranks 43rd of 53 in Africa by cost of living.
What currency is used in Zambia?
Zambia uses the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Zambia
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