Cost of living in Bucharest (Romania) is 40% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 289 prices entered by 64 different people.
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| Food | + 64% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bucharest (Romania) is 64% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 45 lei (281 Kwacha) | 116 Kwacha | + 143% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 32 lei (204 Kwacha) | 96 Kwacha | + 113% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 16 lei (101 Kwacha) | 44 Kwacha | + 127% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7 lei (45 Kwacha) | 28 Kwacha | + 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 13 lei (84 Kwacha) | 36 Kwacha | + 136% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10 lei (61 Kwacha) | 33 Kwacha | + 86% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 20 lei (127 Kwacha) | 262 Kwacha | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 4.68 lei (29 Kwacha) | 58 Kwacha | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 4.43 lei (28 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 4.99 lei (31 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 41 lei (255 Kwacha) | 289 Kwacha | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 9 lei (60 Kwacha) | 28 Kwacha | + 113% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 3.02 lei (19 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 12% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in Bucharest (Romania) is 12% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 4,669 lei (29,324 Kwacha) | 15,433 Kwacha | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 2,737 lei (17,192 Kwacha) | 8,623 Kwacha | + 99% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 579 lei (3,638 Kwacha) | 539 Kwacha | + 575% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,699 lei (16,954 Kwacha) | 14,999 Kwacha | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,909 lei (11,991 Kwacha) | 5,897 Kwacha | + 103% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 364 lei (2,285 Kwacha) | 480 Kwacha | + 376% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 36 lei (228 Kwacha) | 1,674 Kwacha | - 86% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,185 lei (7,440 Kwacha) | 3,603 Kwacha | + 107% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 594 lei (3,728 Kwacha) | 3,551 Kwacha | + 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 49 lei (309 Kwacha) | 60 Kwacha | + 414% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 44 lei (279 Kwacha) | 67 Kwacha | + 318% | |
| Clothes | + 76% | |||
| Clothes in Bucharest (Romania) is 76% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 341 lei (2,142 Kwacha) | 780 Kwacha | + 175% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 160 lei (1,003 Kwacha) | 670 Kwacha | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 390 lei (2,446 Kwacha) | 1,973 Kwacha | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 336 lei (2,108 Kwacha) | 1,458 Kwacha | + 45% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in Bucharest (Romania) is about the same as in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 107,460 lei (674,915 Kwacha) | 302,797 Kwacha | + 123% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 7 lei (46 Kwacha) | 30 Kwacha | + 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 84 lei (527 Kwacha) | 918 Kwacha | - 43% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 26 lei (161 Kwacha) | 227 Kwacha | - 29% | |
| Personal Care | + 130% | |||
| Personal Care in Bucharest (Romania) is 130% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 26 lei (165 Kwacha) | 113 Kwacha | + 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 29 lei (180 Kwacha) | 69 Kwacha | + 161% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 246 lei (1,545 Kwacha) | 341 Kwacha | + 353% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 22 lei (139 Kwacha) | 83 Kwacha | + 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 20 lei (128 Kwacha) | 61 Kwacha | + 109% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 24 lei (149 Kwacha) | 67 Kwacha | + 121% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 8 lei (48 Kwacha) | 33 Kwacha | + 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15 lei (91 Kwacha) | 30 Kwacha | + 202% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 60 lei (376 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 136% | |
| Entertainment | + 176% | |||
| Entertainment in Bucharest (Romania) is 176% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bucharest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 139 lei (872 Kwacha) | 436 Kwacha | + 100% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 65 lei (407 Kwacha) | 72 Kwacha | + 467% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 161 lei (1,014 Kwacha) | 399 Kwacha | + 154% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 228 lei (1,432 Kwacha) | 417 Kwacha | + 244% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 35 lei (217 Kwacha) | 54 Kwacha | + 299% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 14 lei (86 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 154% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 11 lei (70 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 39% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,149 lei (26,057 Kwacha) | 4,666 Kwacha | + 458% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.47 lei (2.95 Kwacha) | 1.31 Kwacha | + 126% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 202 lei (1,266 Kwacha) | 771 Kwacha | + 64% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 27 lei (170 Kwacha) | 47 Kwacha | + 265% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 40% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 289 prices entered by 64 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
6.281
ZMW
/
RON
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For example, you would need at least 58,914 Kwacha (9,380 lei) in Bucharest to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 42,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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