Cost of Living in Nairobi vs Lusaka

Cost of living in Nairobi is 10% higher than in Lusaka (without rent).

Rent in Nairobi is 8% more expensive than in Lusaka.

Cost of living including rent in Nairobi is 9% higher than in Lusaka.

Food in Nairobi is 4% more expensive than in Lusaka.

Transport in Nairobi is 24% more expensive than in Lusaka.

Nairobi vs. Lusaka Comparision

Nairobi Lusaka
Cost of Living, including rent
745 $
685 $
Without Rent
476 $
434 $
Rent & Utilities
269 $
250 $
Food
254 $
245 $
Transport
161 $
130 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
394 $
332 $
Quality of Life
57
48
Population
5.6M
2.5M

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Nairobi Lusaka

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
3.67 $ 6.96 $
Dinner, for 2 26.2 $ 26.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.77 $ 3.84 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.2 $ 1.02 $
Capuccino 2.41 $ 2.22 $
Coke, 330ml 0.65 $ 0.9 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.91 $ 1.3 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 0.48 $ 0.76 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.28 $ 2.33 $
Eggs, 12 pack 1.84 $ 1.97 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.9 $ 6.99 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.43 $ 3.87 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.2 $ 5.21 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.83 $ 2.56 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.05 $ 1.69 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.81 $ 2.66 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.08 $ 1.89 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.16 $ 1.48 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.47 $ 0.4 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.45 $ 1.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.3 $ 6.63 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.1 $ 1.1 $
Cigarette pack 2.93 $ 2.65 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.78 $ 1.56 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 34.5 $ 37.2 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.62 $ 1.29 $
Taxi, 8 km 13 $ 12.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 23.2 $ 12.9 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 3.2 $ 2.3 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.94 $ 2.57 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 0.95 $ 1.27 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.2 $ 1.15 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
25.1 $ 66.2 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
38.8 $ 102 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
39.5 $ 63.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 164 $ 103 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 420 $ 330 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 366 $ 191 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,021 $ 881 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,536 $ 1,988 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,125 $ 4,865 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 394 $ 332 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 14.58 % 21.22 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 40.9 $ 42.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 6.09 $ 3.5 $
Haircut 5.57 $ 4.8 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 58.6 $ 89.8 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 19.2 $ 18.6 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 168 $ 176 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 8,325 $ 5,845 $