Skyline of Livingstone
Cost of Living: 78 200,000

Livingstone, Zambia

Livingstone is a major city in Zambia with a population of 200,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 78

Below Average vs Zambia Avg (100)

Housing Index 85

Affordable

Median Income ZK 42,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Livingstone vs Zambia Average

Cost of Living
Livingstone: 78
Zambia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Livingstone: 85
Zambia Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 16.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ZK 42,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 280/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 55°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: ZK1,200,000
  • 1BR Rent: ZK3000/mo

Cost of Living

Livingstone's cost of living index is 78 (Zambia average = 100).

CategoryLivingstoneNational AverageDifference
Overall78100-22.0%
Housing85100-15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceZK1,200,000
Median Rent (1BR)ZK3000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)ZK3,750/mo
Price per Sq FtZK800

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

ZK
%
$90,000 down
%
%
ZK

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Livingstone:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityZK300
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)ZK2Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterZK100Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)ZK300Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesZK702Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Livingstone scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
78
Rent
ZK3000
Sunny Days
280
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
86°F / 55°F
Safety
5.3 homicides/100k
Population
200,000
Internet Speed
15 Mbps

Climate

Livingstone has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January75°F55°F2.5"
April71°F70°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F73°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Livingstone faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Savanna wildfires.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 16%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year January to December
Term System Trimester — Term 1 (Jan-Apr), Term 2 (May-Aug), Term 3 (Sep-Dec)
Summer Break December to January (5 weeks)
Winter Break August (3 weeks)
Spring Break April (3 weeks)

School year aligns with the calendar year.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Livingstone, Zambia?

The cost of living index in Livingstone is 78, which is Lower the Zambia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Livingstone?

The median home price in Livingstone is ZK1,200,000. The housing index is 85.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Livingstone is approximately ZK3000/mo.

Does Livingstone, Southern have income tax?

Livingstone is in Southern, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Livingstone?

Livingstone enjoys approximately 280 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 55°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.