Cape Town vs Lusaka

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Lusaka is roughly 3% more affordable than Cape Town (index 20 vs 20, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Lusaka
More affordable overall
3% cheaper than Cape Town · Cost index: 20 vs 20

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

20Cost Index20
1,620Median Income /mo425
50Safety Index61
16Income Tax %20
75Internet (Mbps)39
110Coworking /mo110

Price Breakdown

Cape TownCategoryLusaka
$1,100/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
50% ← cheaper
$550/month
$1/liter
Meal for One
20% ← cheaper
$0.8/liter
$11/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
55% ← cheaper
$5/meal
$55/month
Monthly Transit Pass
36% ← cheaper
$35/month
$80/month
Utilities (Monthly)
56% ← cheaper
$35/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
50% ← cheaper
$30/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Cape Town

Internet75 Mbps
Coworking$110/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Lusaka

Internet39 Mbps
Coworking$110/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability35/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cape Town cheaper than Lusaka?

Lusaka is cheaper than Cape Town. Lusaka has a cost of living index of 20/100 compared to 20/100 for Cape Town (New York = 100), making it roughly 3% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Lusaka than Cape Town?

Lusaka is approximately 3% cheaper than Cape Town based on cost index scores (20 vs 20, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Cape Town could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,917/month in Lusaka.

What is the rent comparison between Cape Town and Lusaka?

In Cape Town, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,100/month. In Lusaka, the equivalent is around $550/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Cape Town or Lusaka?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Cape Town offers 75 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$110/month. Lusaka offers 39 Mbps and coworking at ~$110/month. Lusaka has a cost advantage of 3%.

What is the average income in Cape Town vs Lusaka?

The median net monthly salary in Cape Town is approximately $1,620 USD, compared to $425 USD in Lusaka.

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