OverviewAt a GlanceCost of LivingSafetyCitiesHealthcareEnvironmentFAQBefore You Go

Zambia🇿🇲

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At a Glance

How Zambia compares across key indices

Quality of Life93Safety70Healthcare43Affordability29ClimateClean Air49

Cost of Living

29 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

70/100

Healthcare

43/100

Quality of Life

93/200

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Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Zambia

Cost of Living

29

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

22

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

29

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

30

100 = NYC dining

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Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Zambia - based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

70/100

Crime Index

21/100

Lower is better

Walking Safety

Daytime100
Nighttime100

0 point drop from day to night

Cities in Zambia

Zambia has 77 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $573 in Samfya to $764 in Lusaka. Mumbwa leads on safety, scoring 74/100. Samfya ranks highest for quality of life at 101/200.

💸Most Affordable

Samfya

$573/mo

Safest

Mumbwa

74/100

Best Quality of Life

Samfya

101/200

Best Healthcare

Lusaka

56/100

City filter
Featured
Curated and popular cities first.
40 of 77 shown
CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Lusaka$76464/10097/20056/10058
Kitwe$65168/10099/20048/10051
Ndola$65068/10099/20047/10051
Chipata$63070/10099/20045/10048
Solwezi$62770/10099/20045/10048
Kabwe$62670/10099/20045/10048
Chingola$62270/100100/20044/10047
Luanshya$61471/100100/20044/10046
Kasama$61171/100100/20043/10046
Livingstone$61171/100100/20043/10046
Mansa$61071/100100/20043/10045
Mufulira$60971/100100/20043/10045
Chunga$59872/100100/20042/10044
Chililabombwe$59772/100100/20042/10044
Mongu$59772/100100/20042/10044
Mazabuka$59572/100101/20042/10044
Kafue$59572/100100/20041/10044
Kalulushi$59572/100100/20041/10044
Choma$59472/100101/20041/10043
Namalombwe$59372/100101/20041/10043
Nakonde$59173/100101/20041/10043
Kapiri Mposhi$58873/100101/20041/10043
Madido$58773/100101/20041/10043
Nchelenge$58673/100101/20041/10042
Mpika$58073/100101/20040/10042
Monze$57874/100101/20040/10041
Petauke$57774/100101/20040/10041
Chongwe$57774/100101/20040/10041
Mpulungu$57674/100101/20039/10041
Chilanga Township$57574/100101/20039/10041
Samfya$57374/100101/20039/10041
Mumbwa$57374/100101/20039/10041
Mkushi$57374/100101/20039/10041
Katete$57374/100101/20039/10041
Lundazi$57374/100101/20039/10041
Mbala$57374/100101/20039/10041
Chisankane$57374/100101/20039/10041
Kansanshi$57374/100101/20039/10041
Chinsali$57374/100101/20039/10041
Kaputa$57374/100101/20039/10041

Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Zambia

Healthcare43Safety70Quality of Life93
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Zambia

Pollution Index

49/100

Lower is better

PM2.5

24.3ug/m3

Moderate

Environmental Quality

Air Quality100/100

Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Zambia, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Zambia?

Zambia has a cost of living index of 29 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $595 in Mazabuka and reach $764 in Lusaka.

What is the cheapest city in Zambia for expats?

Mazabuka is the most affordable city in Zambia in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $595 for a single person including rent. Kafue is the next most affordable at $595/mo.

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Zambia has a safety index of 70/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Mazabuka scores highest on safety at 72/100.

What is the best city in Zambia for expats and digital nomads?

Mazabuka ranks highest for quality of life in Zambia, scoring 101/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $595/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Zambia?

Zambia scores 43/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it limited in some areas by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.

Is Zambia cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Zambia's cost of living is roughly 71% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 78% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Zambia

Plan Your Move

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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources

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