Cost of living in Budapest (Hungary) is 61% 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 652 prices entered by 91 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 84% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Budapest (Hungary) is 84% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Budapest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 4,348 Ft (311 Kwacha) | 116 Kwacha | + 169% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,056 Ft (218 Kwacha) | 96 Kwacha | + 128% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,328 Ft (95 Kwacha) | 44 Kwacha | + 114% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 535 Ft (38 Kwacha) | 28 Kwacha | + 39% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,248 Ft (89 Kwacha) | 36 Kwacha | + 151% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 1,277 Ft (91 Kwacha) | 33 Kwacha | + 178% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 2,117 Ft (151 Kwacha) | 262 Kwacha | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 772 Ft (55 Kwacha) | 58 Kwacha | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 435 Ft (31 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 33% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 456 Ft (33 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 44% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 3,539 Ft (253 Kwacha) | 289 Kwacha | - 13% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 883 Ft (63 Kwacha) | 28 Kwacha | + 126% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 368 Ft (26 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 55% | |
Housing | + 56% | |||
Housing in Budapest (Hungary) is 56% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Budapest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 544,788 Ft (38,918 Kwacha) | 15,433 Kwacha | + 152% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 342,574 Ft (24,472 Kwacha) | 8,623 Kwacha | + 184% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 51,877 Ft (3,706 Kwacha) | 539 Kwacha | + 588% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 333,973 Ft (23,858 Kwacha) | 14,999 Kwacha | + 59% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 251,130 Ft (17,940 Kwacha) | 5,897 Kwacha | + 204% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 42,668 Ft (3,048 Kwacha) | 480 Kwacha | + 534% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 8,511 Ft (608 Kwacha) | 1,674 Kwacha | - 64% | |
40” flat screen tv | 133,212 Ft (9,516 Kwacha) | 3,603 Kwacha | + 164% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 36,737 Ft (2,624 Kwacha) | 3,551 Kwacha | - 26% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 4,842 Ft (346 Kwacha) | 60 Kwacha | + 474% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4,218 Ft (301 Kwacha) | 67 Kwacha | + 352% | |
Clothes | + 86% | |||
Clothes in Budapest (Hungary) is 86% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Budapest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 31,856 Ft (2,276 Kwacha) | 780 Kwacha | + 192% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 14,687 Ft (1,049 Kwacha) | 670 Kwacha | + 57% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 30,258 Ft (2,161 Kwacha) | 1,973 Kwacha | + 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 41,629 Ft (2,974 Kwacha) | 1,458 Kwacha | + 104% | |
Transportation | + 13% | |||
Transportation in Budapest (Hungary) is 13% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Budapest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 10,294,200 Ft (735,385 Kwacha) | 302,797 Kwacha | + 143% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 624 Ft (45 Kwacha) | 30 Kwacha | + 49% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 9,430 Ft (674 Kwacha) | 918 Kwacha | - 27% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 7,069 Ft (505 Kwacha) | - | - | |
Personal Care | + 147% | |||
Personal Care in Budapest (Hungary) is 147% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Budapest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,212 Ft (229 Kwacha) | 113 Kwacha | + 102% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 4,197 Ft (300 Kwacha) | 69 Kwacha | + 335% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 24,377 Ft (1,741 Kwacha) | 341 Kwacha | + 410% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 2,297 Ft (164 Kwacha) | 83 Kwacha | + 98% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,339 Ft (96 Kwacha) | 61 Kwacha | + 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,414 Ft (101 Kwacha) | 67 Kwacha | + 50% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,054 Ft (75 Kwacha) | 33 Kwacha | + 127% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,093 Ft (78 Kwacha) | 30 Kwacha | + 158% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 5,883 Ft (420 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 164% | |
Entertainment | + 153% | |||
Entertainment in Budapest (Hungary) is 153% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Budapest | Lusaka | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 13,431 Ft (959 Kwacha) | 436 Kwacha | + 120% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 5,891 Ft (421 Kwacha) | 72 Kwacha | + 486% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 20,367 Ft (1,455 Kwacha) | 399 Kwacha | + 265% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 20,243 Ft (1,446 Kwacha) | 417 Kwacha | + 247% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,640 Ft (189 Kwacha) | 54 Kwacha | + 247% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,359 Ft (97 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 187% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,079 Ft (77 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 54% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 217,544 Ft (15,541 Kwacha) | 4,666 Kwacha | + 233% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 30 Ft (2.16 Kwacha) | 1.31 Kwacha | + 65% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 20,194 Ft (1,443 Kwacha) | 771 Kwacha | + 87% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,299 Ft (164 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 220% | |
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TOTAL | + 61% |

These prices were last updated on July 09, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.07144
ZMW
/
HUF
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For example, you would need at least 69,263 Kwacha (969,574 Ft) in Budapest to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 43,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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