Prices and Cost of Living in Zambia
Travel Budget Calculator
Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Zambia. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.
Backpacker's budget
Traveling with a backpack
from 85.55 PLN to 129.93 PLN
Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 30 May 2025.
How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?
Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 607 ZMW (85.55 PLN) to 922 ZMW (130 PLN). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 1699 ZMW (239 PLN) to 2604 ZMW (367 PLN). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.
Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living
The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Zambia. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.
Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.
Cheapest products
Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.
from 16.6 PLN to 27.56 PLN
Mid-range products
Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.
from 22.16 PLN to 37.64 PLN
Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 30 May 2025.
How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Zambia?
When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 118 ZMW (16.6 PLN) to 196 ZMW (27.56 PLN) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 157 ZMW (22.16 PLN) to 267 ZMW (37.64 PLN) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.
Budget and shopping basket update: 30 May 2025
Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.
Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.
BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).
TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).
FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.
Prices in Zambia
Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Zambia, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.
Grocery Store Prices
| Apples (1kg) | 9.20 PLN |
| Banana (1kg) | 5.42 PLN |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 20.97 PLN |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 17.46 PLN |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 16.86 PLN |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 9.61 PLN |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 3.48 PLN |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 5.91 PLN |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.86 PLN |
| Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre | 30.66 PLN |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 4.26 PLN |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 3.66 PLN |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 34.06 PLN |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 4.45 PLN |
| Onion (1kg) | 6.06 PLN |
| Oranges (1kg) | 8.86 PLN |
| Potato (1kg) | 5.50 PLN |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 6.84 PLN |
| Tomato (1kg) | 4.19 PLN |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 3.66 PLN |
Food and beverage prices in Zambia
Popular food products found on store shelves in Zambia include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1.62 ZMW (6.06 PLN) for a kilo of onions to 5.61 ZMW (20.97 PLN) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1.83 ZMW (6.84 PLN) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 0.98 ZMW (3.66 PLN) per half kilo. Bananas cost 1.45 ZMW (5.42 PLN) per kilo, while apples cost 2.46 ZMW (9.2 PLN) per kilo.
Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 0.98 ZMW (3.66 PLN). Dairy prices in Zambia, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 1.19 ZMW (4.45 PLN), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 9.11 ZMW (34.06 PLN). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 4.51 ZMW (16.86 PLN) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 1.58 ZMW (5.91 PLN), and the average price of tomatoes is 1.12 ZMW (4.19 PLN) per kilo.
Restaurant Prices
| Cappuccino (regular) | 6.54 PLN |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.10 PLN |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 4.22 PLN |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 5.57 PLN |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 12.75 PLN |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 110 PLN |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 13.72 PLN |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.72 PLN |
What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?
Prices in restaurants in Zambia vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 1.75 ZMW (6.54 PLN), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 0.83 ZMW (3.1 PLN). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 3.41 ZMW (12.75 PLN) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 29.4 ZMW (110 PLN). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 3.67 ZMW (13.72 PLN).
Public Transportation Prices
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 150 PLN |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 5.42 PLN |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 37.69 PLN |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 2.69 PLN |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 11.22 PLN |
How much does transportation cost in Zambia?
The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 1.45 ZMW (5.42 PLN), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 40 ZMW (150 PLN). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 3 ZMW (11.22 PLN), along with a per-kilometer charge of 0.72 ZMW (2.69 PLN).
Fuel Prices
| Diesel 1L | 4.08 PLN |
| Gasoline 1L | 4.61 PLN |
Fuel prices in Zambia
Average fuel prices in Zambia are 32.75 ZMW (4.61 PLN) per liter of gasoline and 28.96 ZMW (4.08 PLN) per liter of diesel.
Entertainment Prices
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 11.44 PLN |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 105 PLN |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 34.32 PLN |
Apartment Rental Prices
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1 026 PLN |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 722 PLN |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 3 456 PLN |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1 639 PLN |
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Zambia?
The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Zambia varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 193 ZMW (722 PLN) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 274 ZMW (1026 PLN) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 10764 ZMW (40242 PLN) per square meter.
Apartment Buying Prices
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 40 242 PLN |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 146 599 PLN |
Average Salary
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 1 484 PLN |
Hotel Prices in Zambia
A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.
What is the average cost of a hotel room?
Accommodation prices in Zambia vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in Lusaka (December 2024) ranges from 1264 ZMW (178 PLN) per night in a hostel to about 2813 ZMW (396 PLN) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 4465 ZMW (629 PLN) upwards.
• Prices of products and services in Zambia. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 03/2023, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.
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