Cost of living in Cape Town (South Africa) is 48% 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 522 prices entered by 57 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cape Town (South Africa) is 24% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 170 (188 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | + 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 85 (94 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 47 (52 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 21 (23 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 53 (59 Kwacha) | 27 Kwacha | + 121% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 25 (27 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 73 (81 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 28 (31 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 24 (27 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 23 (26 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 91 (101 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 25 (28 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 18 (20 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | + 37% | |
| Housing | + 72% | |||
| Housing in Cape Town (South Africa) is 72% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 22,683 (25,171 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 13,016 (14,443 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | + 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,576 (1,749 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 220% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 12,490 (13,860 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | + 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 8,192 (9,091 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 714 (793 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 88% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 715 (794 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 103% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 4,628 (5,136 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,649 (1,830 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 119 (132 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 86% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 63 (70 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 24% | |
| Clothes | + 55% | |||
| Clothes in Cape Town (South Africa) is 55% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 898 (996 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | + 55% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 639 (709 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,586 (1,760 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | + 95% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,356 (1,505 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 92% | |
| Transportation | + 35% | |||
| Transportation in Cape Town (South Africa) is 35% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 399,668 (443,508 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 89% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (26 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | + 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 595 (660 Kwacha) | 533 Kwacha | + 24% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 152 (168 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | - 4% | |
| Personal Care | + 96% | |||
| Personal Care in Cape Town (South Africa) is 96% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 122 (135 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 172% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 261 (290 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 394% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 559 (620 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | + 99% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 51 (57 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (36 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 66 (73 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 79% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 47 (52 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 97% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 32 (36 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 76% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 222 (247 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 55% | |
| Entertainment | + 56% | |||
| Entertainment in Cape Town (South Africa) is 56% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cape Town | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 379 (421 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 227 (252 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 941 (1,044 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 183% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 644 (714 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 61% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 106 (117 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 157% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 34 (38 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 39 (44 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 159% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,964 (11,056 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 134% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.58 (1.76 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | + 29% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 655 (726 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | - 0% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 55 (61 Kwacha) | 42 Kwacha | + 47% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 48% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 522 prices entered by 57 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.110
ZMW
/
ZAR
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For example, you would need at least 63,576 Kwacha (R 57,292) in Cape Town to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 43,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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