Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 229% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Lusaka or in Chicago, Illinois? You can help!
Improve the prices for Lusaka! Improve the prices for Chicago, Illinois!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 348 prices entered by 65 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 221% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 221% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (607 Kwacha) | 116 Kwacha | + 425% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (336 Kwacha) | 72 Kwacha | + 367% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 (172 Kwacha) | 44 Kwacha | + 288% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.83 (23 Kwacha) | 28 Kwacha | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.96 (111 Kwacha) | 36 Kwacha | + 212% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.30 (120 Kwacha) | 33 Kwacha | + 267% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.76 (161 Kwacha) | 262 Kwacha | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.94 (110 Kwacha) | 58 Kwacha | + 91% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.82 (51 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 119% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.16 (117 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 415% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (415 Kwacha) | 289 Kwacha | + 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.84 (80 Kwacha) | 28 Kwacha | + 185% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.90 (81 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 218% | |
| Housing | + 237% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 237% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,884 (80,747 Kwacha) | 15,433 Kwacha | + 423% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,285 (63,990 Kwacha) | 8,623 Kwacha | + 642% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $148 (4,137 Kwacha) | 539 Kwacha | + 668% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,789 (50,092 Kwacha) | 14,999 Kwacha | + 234% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,512 (42,331 Kwacha) | 5,897 Kwacha | + 618% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $104 (2,922 Kwacha) | 480 Kwacha | + 508% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 (1,717 Kwacha) | 1,674 Kwacha | + 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $258 (7,236 Kwacha) | 3,603 Kwacha | + 101% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $193 (5,400 Kwacha) | 3,551 Kwacha | + 52% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 (242 Kwacha) | 60 Kwacha | + 301% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (1,125 Kwacha) | 67 Kwacha | + 1586% | |
| Clothes | + 89% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 89% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 (1,469 Kwacha) | 780 Kwacha | + 88% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (1,377 Kwacha) | 670 Kwacha | + 106% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 (2,567 Kwacha) | 1,973 Kwacha | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $122 (3,425 Kwacha) | 1,458 Kwacha | + 135% | |
| Transportation | + 105% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 105% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,072 (757,989 Kwacha) | 302,797 Kwacha | + 150% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (29 Kwacha) | 30 Kwacha | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (2,100 Kwacha) | 918 Kwacha | + 129% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $20 (559 Kwacha) | 284 Kwacha | + 97% | |
| Personal Care | + 378% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 378% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (271 Kwacha) | 113 Kwacha | + 139% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $44 (1,227 Kwacha) | 69 Kwacha | + 1678% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $127 (3,563 Kwacha) | 341 Kwacha | + 944% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (201 Kwacha) | 83 Kwacha | + 143% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.19 (117 Kwacha) | 61 Kwacha | + 92% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (171 Kwacha) | 67 Kwacha | + 154% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 (101 Kwacha) | 33 Kwacha | + 206% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.76 (49 Kwacha) | 30 Kwacha | + 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $37 (1,042 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 554% | |
| Entertainment | + 668% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 668% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $70 (1,955 Kwacha) | 436 Kwacha | + 348% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (815 Kwacha) | 72 Kwacha | + 1035% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $236 (6,599 Kwacha) | 399 Kwacha | + 1556% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $95 (2,663 Kwacha) | 417 Kwacha | + 539% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 (439 Kwacha) | 54 Kwacha | + 707% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.14 (144 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 325% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (205 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 311% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $619 (17,323 Kwacha) | 4,666 Kwacha | + 271% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.21 (34 Kwacha) | 1.31 Kwacha | + 2498% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 (1,399 Kwacha) | 771 Kwacha | + 81% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 (428 Kwacha) | 47 Kwacha | + 817% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 229% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 348 prices entered by 65 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
27.999
ZMW
/
USD
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in London is 99% more expensive than in Tokyo
- Cost of living in Singapore is 23% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Abuja is 85% cheaper than in San Francisco, California
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 19% more expensive than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in London is 113% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 48% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 23% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 9% cheaper than in Montevideo
- Cost of living in Tirana is 48% cheaper than in Saipan
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least 158,066 Kwacha ($5,645) in Chicago, Illinois to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 48,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
Do you live in Lusaka? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Maputo (Mozambique)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Belgrade (Serbia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Houston, Texas (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Montreal (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Johannesburg (South Africa)
Prices recently added
- Hourly rate for babysitter services in Quito costs $6.00 (22 minutes ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Istanbul costs 77TL (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Uberlandia costs R$ 5.89 (about 2 hours ago)
- Hourly rate for domestic cleaning help in Rosario costs ARS $3,500 (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 kg of boneless chicken breast in Maceió costs R$ 14 (about 3 hours ago)
- Sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) in Kabul costs 3,049 Afghani (about 3 hours ago)