Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 30% 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 Kuala Lumpur? You can help!
Improve the prices for Lusaka! Improve the prices for Kuala Lumpur!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 234 prices entered by 71 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 19% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 (74 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 (79 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (41 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (31 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 84% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 (43 Kwacha) | 25 Kwacha | + 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (30 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM26 (119 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 (49 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.79 (22 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | - 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (53 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 155% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM81 (372 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | + 131% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM5.12 (24 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.52 (16 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | + 10% | |
| Housing | + 24% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 24% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,635 (16,700 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,360 (10,842 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM288 (1,324 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 142% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,080 (9,556 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,473 (6,766 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM243 (1,117 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 165% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM102 (471 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,953 (8,972 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM393 (1,805 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM22 (101 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM31 (142 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 152% | |
| Clothes | + 20% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 20% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM208 (957 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | + 49% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM111 (510 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM292 (1,342 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM239 (1,096 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 40% | |
| Transportation | + 38% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 38% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM167,242 (768,381 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 227% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.05 (9 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | - 57% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM93 (427 Kwacha) | 425 Kwacha | + 1% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM29 (132 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | - 25% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 38% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM18 (81 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM25 (115 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 96% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM69 (315 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | + 1% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 (94 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 84% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 (48 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM13 (61 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 48% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (34 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 (36 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 75% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM43 (197 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 24% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 47% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM84 (387 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (175 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 (925 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 151% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM93 (426 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | - 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM37 (170 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 272% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (62 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 112% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 (87 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 414% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,985 (9,119 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 93% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 (1.11 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | - 19% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM169 (778 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | + 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (81 Kwacha) | 32 Kwacha | + 150% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 30% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 234 prices entered by 71 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
4.594
ZMW
/
MYR
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Dubai is 209% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Barcelona is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in New York City is 23% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Dubai is 25% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 49% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 97% more expensive than in Santiago
- Cost of living in Tokyo is 33% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California
- Cost of living in Madrid is 91% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 14% cheaper than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Madrid is 26% cheaper than in Paris
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least 57,203 Kwacha (RM12,451) in Kuala Lumpur to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 44,000 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 Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bandung (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Amman (Jordan)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Perth (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Pretoria (South Africa)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Shenzhen costs 30元 (1 minute ago)
- 2 liters of coca-cola in Buenos Aires costs ARS $100 (3 minutes ago)
- 1 us gal of gasoline in Providence, Rhode Island costs $0.85 (38 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in San Antonio, Texas costs $15 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Chihuahua costs Mex$ 850 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Medina costs ﷼ 25 (about 1 hour ago)