Cost of living in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 28% 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 542 prices entered by 71 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 8% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 138 (152 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | + 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 73 (80 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 43 (47 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (20 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 (45 Kwacha) | 25 Kwacha | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 (26 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (75 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 25 (28 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 22 (24 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | + 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 21 (23 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 94 (104 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | - 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (25 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (17 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | + 16% | |
| Housing | + 30% | |||
| Housing in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 30% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 13,776 (15,207 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 11,394 (12,577 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,511 (1,668 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 205% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 7,171 (7,916 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 6,038 (6,666 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | + 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,090 (1,203 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 186% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 711 (784 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 101% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,312 (5,864 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 3% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 1,834 (2,024 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (96 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 49 (54 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | - 3% | |
| Clothes | + 35% | |||
| Clothes in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 35% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 802 (885 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | + 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 518 (572 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,655 (1,827 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | + 102% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,295 (1,429 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 83% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 26% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 295,184 (325,852 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (25 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 500 (552 Kwacha) | 425 Kwacha | + 30% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R 154 (170 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | - 4% | |
| Personal Care | + 63% | |||
| Personal Care in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 63% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 60 (67 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 233 (258 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 339% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 606 (669 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | + 115% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 46 (50 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 32 (36 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 57 (63 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 (32 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 21% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 29 (32 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 58% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 144 (159 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 0% | |
| Entertainment | + 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Johannesburg (South Africa) is 49% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johannesburg | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 437 (482 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 224 (247 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 685 (757 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 105% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 633 (699 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 79 (87 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 90% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 33 (36 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 29 (32 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 90% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 9,225 (10,184 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 115% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.85 (2.04 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | + 50% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 462 (510 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 44 (49 Kwacha) | 32 Kwacha | + 51% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 28% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 542 prices entered by 71 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.104
ZMW
/
ZAR
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For example, you would need at least 46,045 Kwacha (R 41,711) in Johannesburg to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 36,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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