Cost of living in Nairobi (Kenya) is 45% 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 214 prices entered by 39 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Nairobi (Kenya) is 21% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Shilling985 (141 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | + 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Shilling812 (117 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 72% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Shilling446 (64 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Shilling154 (22 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Shilling284 (41 Kwacha) | 27 Kwacha | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Shilling116 (17 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Shilling861 (124 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Shilling323 (46 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Shilling115 (17 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | - 30% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Shilling188 (27 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Shilling1,537 (221 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | + 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Shilling187 (27 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 28% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Shilling106 (15 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | + 3% | |
| Housing | + 72% | |||
| Housing in Nairobi (Kenya) is 72% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Shilling193,205 (27,742 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 109% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Shilling99,181 (14,241 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | + 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Shilling11,826 (1,698 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 210% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Shilling91,253 (13,103 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Shilling23,400 (3,360 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Shilling5,551 (797 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Shilling5,873 (843 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 116% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Shilling43,448 (6,239 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Shilling10,014 (1,438 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Shilling985 (141 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 99% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Shilling1,031 (148 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 163% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Nairobi (Kenya) is 7% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Shilling6,111 (877 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | + 37% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Shilling2,759 (396 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Shilling11,475 (1,648 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | + 82% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Shilling6,621 (951 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 21% | |
| Transportation | + 48% | |||
| Transportation in Nairobi (Kenya) is 48% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Shilling2,309,110 (331,565 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 41% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Shilling193 (28 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | + 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Shilling6,063 (871 Kwacha) | 533 Kwacha | + 63% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Shilling1,501 (216 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | + 22% | |
| Personal Care | + 39% | |||
| Personal Care in Nairobi (Kenya) is 39% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Shilling276 (40 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | - 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Shilling1,324 (190 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 224% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Shilling3,302 (474 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | + 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Shilling351 (50 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Shilling366 (53 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Shilling493 (71 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Shilling116 (17 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Shilling157 (23 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Shilling1,093 (157 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | - 1% | |
| Entertainment | + 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Nairobi (Kenya) is 41% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Nairobi | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Shilling3,930 (564 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 100% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Shilling1,610 (231 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Shilling2,560 (368 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | - 0% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Shilling5,952 (855 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 93% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Shilling959 (138 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 201% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Shilling322 (46 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 58% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Shilling260 (37 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 121% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Shilling45,453 (6,527 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Shilling4.09 (0.59 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | - 57% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Shilling5,386 (773 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Shilling310 (45 Kwacha) | 42 Kwacha | + 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 45% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 214 prices entered by 39 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.14359
ZMW
/
KES
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For example, you would need at least 52,125 Kwacha (Shilling363,011) in Nairobi to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 36,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
Do you live in Lusaka? We need your help!
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