Capital city in Lusaka Province, Zambia
Cost of living in Lusaka
How much a month costs in Lusaka
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,020–1,730 (K20,000–34,000).
Prices in Lusaka
Typical 2026 ranges in ZMW, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | ZMW | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | K10,000–20,000 | $508–1,020 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | K6,000–11,000 | $305–558 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | K250–500 | $13–25 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | K1,300–3,000 | $66–152 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | K80–150 | $4.1–7.6 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | K250–500 | $13–25 |
| Cappuccino | K45–80 | $2.3–4.1 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | K40–80 | $2.0–4.1 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | K10–20 | $0.5–1.0 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | K100–200 | $5.1–10.2 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | K500–1,200 | $25–61 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | K150–400 | $8–20 |
Value for money: 61/100
A value score of 61/100 means Lusaka gives more quality of life per dollar than 60% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 55/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Zambia
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Livingstone | $812–1,420 | 72/100 |
| Lusaka | $1,020–1,730 | 61/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Lusaka
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Lusaka?
About $457–761 on a lean budget, $1,020–1,730 for a comfortable month and $2,130–3,810 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Lusaka?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs K10,000–20,000 ($508–1,020) a month in the center and K6,000–11,000 ($305–558) outside it.
How much does food cost in Lusaka?
A local meal is K80–150 ($4.1–7.6); a mid-range restaurant is K250–500 ($13–25) per person.
Is Zambia expensive?
Prices in Zambia are about 30% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Lusaka
Going to Lusaka solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Lusaka meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Zambia Tourism Agency
- Zambia Immigration Department
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.