Travel budget in Zambia

Zambia: calculate your travel budget

Zambia: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Zambia for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 34 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 7.2 per person
  • $ 5.2 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 814* (7325892 ZMK)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 163 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 12 per person
  • $ 4.6 per person

Total budget:

$ 3131* (28177058 ZMK)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 253 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 24 per person
  • $ 22 per person
  • $ 9.2 per person

Total budget:

$ 5048* (45429678 ZMK)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Zambia in 2025

Cost of living: Zambia VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Zambia in 2025 is 43% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-71%-71%-4%-4%-51%-51%-16%-16%-52%-52%-66%-66%Price variation between Zambia and United States in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-80-60-40-200



Local prices in Zambia by expense type

Zambia: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Zambia costs 71% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Zambia compared to United States2222424213136.66.67.57.513134.14.10.90.9United StatesZambiaLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840424446
Lunch
Lunch
$ 7.5/person
($ 3.2 to $ 13)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 13/person
($ 11 to $ 18)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 4.1/person
($ 3.9 to $ 4.5)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 0.9 for 500ml
($ 0.6 to $ 2)

85% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 1.4 for 330ml
($ 0.8 to $ 2.8)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.2/cup
($ 1.1 to $ 3.8)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.7/can
($ 0.5 to $ 1.2)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.4/bottle
($ 0.2 to $ 0.5)

84% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Zambia: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Zambia costs 4% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Zambia compared to United States168168248248349349179179257257168168158158348348208208230230United StatesZambia2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 44/night
($ 24 to $ 121)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 168/night
($ 43 to $ 354)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 158/night
($ 73 to $ 511)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 348/night
($ 165 to $ 722)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 473/night
($ 309 to $ 672)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 208/month
($ 22 to $ 480)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 252/month
($ 66 to $ 637)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 328/month
($ 184 to $ 704)

46% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 230/month
($ 47 to $ 470)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 257
Family room
Family room
$ 305/month
($ 166 to $ 661)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Zambia: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Zambia costs 51% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Zambia compared to United States4.14.114145.45.43.23.21.61.64.34.31.31.32.22.2United StatesZambiaEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 1.4/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.9)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.2
Bread
Bread
$ 1.8/500g
($ 1.3 to $ 2.3)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 2/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 4.7)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 1.6/12 eggs
($ 1.1 to $ 3.5)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 4.3/kg
($ 2.5 to $ 7.8)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 3.8)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 2.2)

76% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.2/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 5.6)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.6
($ 0.4 to $ 1.1)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Zambia: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Zambia costs 16% less than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Zambia compared to United States2.72.71.91.91182821.31.31.21.21.31.39393United StatesZambiaBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire05101520253035404550556065707580859095100
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.3/ticket
($ 0.6 to $ 3.3)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.2/km
($ 0.6 to $ 1.9)

39% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.5)

27% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2.7
($ 2 to $ 3.3)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 93/24hrs
($ 89 to $ 102)

15% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 82

Zambia: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Zambia costs 52% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 4.6/ticket
($ 2.5 to $ 5.4)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 16/hr
($ 10.2 to $ 22)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Zambia: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Zambia costs 66% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 2.5/pack
($ 2 to $ 4.2)

77% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 23
($ 15 to $ 26)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 20
($ 8.7 to $ 40)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → Lusaka
London → Lusaka
London → Lusaka
$ 991
(fair price: $ 858)
Montreal → Lusaka
Montreal → Lusaka
Montreal → Lusaka
$ 1477
(fair price: $ 1348)
Manchester → Lusaka
Manchester → Lusaka
Manchester → Lusaka
$ 1068
(fair price: $ 927)
Dublin → Lusaka
Dublin → Lusaka
Dublin → Lusaka
$ 1152
(fair price: $ 1018)
Edinburgh → Lusaka
Edinburgh → Lusaka
Edinburgh → Lusaka
$ 1128
(fair price: $ 977)
New York City → Lusaka
New York City → Lusaka
New York City → Lusaka
$ 1441
(fair price: $ 1241)

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About the information on the cost of living in Zambia

The information about the cost of living in Zambia shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Zambia updated on 28-03-2025.

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