Cost of living in Washington D.C. (United States) is 247% 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 137 prices entered by 46 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 177% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Washington D.C. (United States) is 177% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (392 Kwacha) | 133 Kwacha | + 195% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (201 Kwacha) | 68 Kwacha | + 197% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 (120 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 141% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.07 (21 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.65 (70 Kwacha) | 27 Kwacha | + 163% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (117 Kwacha) | 23 Kwacha | + 398% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (140 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.22 (101 Kwacha) | 34 Kwacha | + 197% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.43 (66 Kwacha) | 24 Kwacha | + 179% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.23 (62 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 200% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (292 Kwacha) | 161 Kwacha | + 82% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.10 (41 Kwacha) | 21 Kwacha | + 94% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.27 (63 Kwacha) | 15 Kwacha | + 328% | |
| Housing | + 420% | |||
| Housing in Washington D.C. (United States) is 420% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,591 (88,600 Kwacha) | 13,253 Kwacha | + 569% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,133 (60,463 Kwacha) | 9,866 Kwacha | + 513% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $194 (3,740 Kwacha) | 547 Kwacha | + 584% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,306 (44,504 Kwacha) | 9,508 Kwacha | + 368% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,859 (35,884 Kwacha) | 5,942 Kwacha | + 504% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $95 (1,826 Kwacha) | 421 Kwacha | + 334% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $57 (1,100 Kwacha) | 391 Kwacha | + 181% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $326 (6,288 Kwacha) | 5,688 Kwacha | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $125 (2,419 Kwacha) | 1,980 Kwacha | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (232 Kwacha) | 71 Kwacha | + 227% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $26 (511 Kwacha) | 56 Kwacha | + 809% | |
| Clothes | + 226% | |||
| Clothes in Washington D.C. (United States) is 226% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $59 (1,144 Kwacha) | 642 Kwacha | + 78% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $103 (1,987 Kwacha) | 499 Kwacha | + 299% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $98 (1,888 Kwacha) | 904 Kwacha | + 109% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $134 (2,595 Kwacha) | 783 Kwacha | + 232% | |
| Transportation | + 170% | |||
| Transportation in Washington D.C. (United States) is 170% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,761 (497,163 Kwacha) | 234,832 Kwacha | + 112% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.03 (20 Kwacha) | 22 Kwacha | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $103 (1,990 Kwacha) | 533 Kwacha | + 274% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $18 (344 Kwacha) | 176 Kwacha | + 95% | |
| Personal Care | + 215% | |||
| Personal Care in Washington D.C. (United States) is 215% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (147 Kwacha) | 50 Kwacha | + 195% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $10 (196 Kwacha) | 59 Kwacha | + 234% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $106 (2,055 Kwacha) | 311 Kwacha | + 561% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $6 (124 Kwacha) | 51 Kwacha | + 143% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.16 (80 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 98% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.22 (81 Kwacha) | 41 Kwacha | + 99% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.16 (80 Kwacha) | 26 Kwacha | + 205% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.56 (49 Kwacha) | 20 Kwacha | + 142% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $28 (548 Kwacha) | 159 Kwacha | + 244% | |
| Entertainment | + 256% | |||
| Entertainment in Washington D.C. (United States) is 256% more expensive than in Lusaka (Zambia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Lusaka | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $65 (1,248 Kwacha) | 282 Kwacha | + 343% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $26 (508 Kwacha) | 141 Kwacha | + 260% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $277 (5,353 Kwacha) | 369 Kwacha | + 1349% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $90 (1,733 Kwacha) | 444 Kwacha | + 290% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (290 Kwacha) | 46 Kwacha | + 534% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.12 (99 Kwacha) | 29 Kwacha | + 238% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (137 Kwacha) | 17 Kwacha | + 709% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $466 (9,002 Kwacha) | 4,733 Kwacha | + 90% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.17 (3.37 Kwacha) | 1.36 Kwacha | + 147% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $92 (1,768 Kwacha) | 728 Kwacha | + 143% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (216 Kwacha) | 42 Kwacha | + 420% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 247% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 137 prices entered by 46 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
19.299
ZMW
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least 124,931 Kwacha ($6,473) in Washington D.C. to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 36,000 Kwacha in Lusaka.
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