Livingstone: a small Zambezi town on the doorstep of Victoria Falls
Cost of living, safety, healthcare and retiring in Zambia's tourism capital, a slow-paced town where English is an official language and the river sets the rhythm.
- 177,393
- Population (2022)
- $1,100/mo
- Monthly budget · single
- 73°F / 23°C
- Avg temperature
Plan on roughly $1,100 a month for one person in Livingstone, with $800 to $1,400 as the realistic range depending on how you live. A couple should budget about $1,600, and a family of four about $2,500. A one-bedroom apartment near the center rents for around $450 a month, or about $300 farther out. These are 2026 estimates in U.S. dollars built on thin data, so use them to plan, not to sign a lease.
Livingstone sits about 6 miles north of the Zambezi River, close to Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya), and was the first capital of Northern Rhodesia from 1911 to 1935. Today it's a town of about 177,000 people (2022 census) that leans on tourism, with a center that keeps much of its colonial character, busy markets and an 18-hole golf course.
It suits people who want the river, the Falls and Southern Africa's parks close by and are fine with a slower, less polished routine: outdoorsy retirees, remote workers with a backup plan for power and internet, and people working in tourism or conservation. If you need a specialist within reach or a big expat crowd, it's not the right base.
Reviewed and updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read
At a glance
$1,100
Monthly budget · single person
$450/mo 1-bed rent, center
57/100
Safety index
$60
Internet / month
73°Fannual average
Jul 63° · Oct 80°
Climate
177,393
Population (2022)
Expatsi estimates, updated Oct 2026, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting. Coverage here is thin, so treat these as a rough guide.
Cost of living
What it costs to live in Livingstone
Single person
$800–$1,400/mo
about 65% below Austin, TX
Couple
$1,200–$2,100/mo
about 65% below Austin, TX
Family of four
$2,000–$3,000/mo
about 70% below Austin, TX
Compared with Austin, TX (Expatsi estimate, 2026).
- $7 −65%
- Inexpensive meal
- $350–$550/mo −77%
- 1-bed rent, center
- $200–$400/mo −78%
- 1-bed rent, outside
- $60/mo −8%
- Internet
Expatsi estimates, updated Oct 2026, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting. Coverage here is thin, so treat these as a rough guide.
Daily life
How Livingstone lives
- C grade, 8th percentile among the cities we track
- Dining & cafésmodest
- C grade, 11th percentile among the cities we track
- Arts & culturemodest
- C grade, 12th percentile among the cities we track
- Parks & outdoorsmodest
- B- grade, 29th percentile among the cities we track
- Schools & educationtypical
- C+ grade, 16th percentile among the cities we track
- Healthcare accessmodest
- C- grade, 0th percentile among the cities we track
- Bike infrastructuremodest
- C grade, 6th percentile among the cities we track
- Public transitmodest
Graded on OpenStreetMap amenity density relative to the 436 cities we track. Accessibility is the exception: it's graded against a fixed standard (terrain steepness and sidewalk surfaces), not a curve.
Climate
Weather through the year
Annual average 73°F (23°C) · 24 in of rain a year · Source: Meteostat station normals (67743, 1991-2020; sunshine from 1981-2010)
On the ground
Scenes from Livingstone
Getting around
Transport in Livingstone
Plan on a car. The U.S. State Department notes that most roads in Zambia have no shoulders or sidewalks and are poorly lit, and it discourages driving at night. Having your own wheels makes the Falls, the river lodges and the national parks easy day trips. You'll need an International Driving Permit to drive in Zambia, so get one before you leave the U.S.
The town's airport, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International, has direct Proflight Zambia flights from Lusaka every day, up to three a day, and flights from Cape Town three times a week. Proflight shifts its timetable by season, so check current days before you plan a trip around them.
By road, the T1 runs north to Lusaka through Kalomo and Choma, and the State Department says some buses of acceptable quality make the Lusaka run. The M10 heads west to Kazungula and the Botswana border, the way to Chobe National Park, and the road south crosses into Zimbabwe over the Victoria Falls Bridge. A Zambia Railways line also connects Livingstone to Lusaka.
- 0.3/sq mi
- Transit stops
- 0.0/sq mi
- Bike infrastructure
- 0.0/sq mi
- Wheelchair-accessible places
Mapped features per square mile from OpenStreetMap.
Keep exploring
Places like Livingstone
Community and practical notes
Living by the Falls, day to day
Community
Livingstone's foreign residents are mostly people tied to tourism, lodges and conservation, and the group is small. You'll build your circle through work, the golf club, the markets and your neighbors rather than through an established expat network. English is an official language, alongside Tonga and Lozi, so daily errands are easy to handle without a new language.
Healthcare
Here's the catch. The State Department says government hospitals in Zambia are often understaffed and short of supplies, basic care outside the major cities is extremely limited, and major emergencies usually mean evacuation to South Africa, Europe or the U.S. Doctors and hospitals expect cash up front, and counterfeit medication is common, so bring a supply of what you take and buy from reputable pharmacies. Evacuation coverage isn't optional here. Hunter Schultz, a healthcare coach, and ExpatInsure, which offers global health insurance, can help you set it up.
Power and internet
Home internet costs about $60 a month. The bigger question is electricity. Zambia went through serious load shedding (scheduled power cuts) during the 2024 drought, and in September 2026 the Ministry of Energy said it doesn't expect load shedding this year. Then in October 2026, the Zambezi River Authority cut the water Kariba Dam can use for power in 2027 by about a third, and a former energy minister told people to prepare for cuts. If you work online, budget for solar or a battery backup and a mobile data plan.
Retiring in Livingstone
Livingstone works for retirees who want wildlife, warm dry winters and a budget near $1,100 a month for one person, and who accept that serious care means a flight out. Zambia has a retiree residence permit, you can compare countries in our retirement visas guide, and Moving to Zambia covers the country's other routes.
LGBTQ expats
Zambian law criminalizes consensual same-sex activity, and the State Department says a conviction for "acts against the order of nature" carries 15 years to life in prison. LGBTQ Americans should weigh that seriously before moving here.
Black Americans
We couldn't find firsthand accounts from Black Americans living in Livingstone, and the expat community is small enough that you won't find an established group to join. A scouting trip, ideally timed with the cool, dry months, is the best way to test daily life before you commit.
Limited mobility
Livingstone is hard going with a wheelchair or limited mobility. Zambia bans disability discrimination, but the State Department says the law isn't enforced and accessibility is limited in transport, lodging and general infrastructure. Uneven roads without sidewalks make getting around on foot tough.
Housing
Renting and buying
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $350–$550/mo
- 1-bed rent (outside center)
- $200–$400/mo
Expatsi estimates, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting. Coverage here is thin, so treat these as a rough guide.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Livingstone, Zambia safe for Americans?
The U.S. State Department rates Zambia Level 1, exercise normal precautions. Petty crime is common in tourist areas, and more serious crimes such as armed robbery and home invasion also happen. The bigger day-to-day risk is the roads: they're poorly lit, often lack sidewalks, and the State Department discourages driving at night.
What is healthcare like in Livingstone, Zambia?
Limited. The State Department says Zambia's government hospitals are often understaffed and short of supplies, basic care outside major cities is extremely limited, and doctors expect cash payment. Major emergencies usually require evacuation to South Africa, Europe or the U.S., so get health insurance that includes medical evacuation.
Is Livingstone, Zambia safe for LGBTQ people?
It's risky. Zambian law criminalizes consensual same-sex activity, and the U.S. State Department says a conviction carries 15 years to life in prison. LGBTQ Americans should think carefully before moving to anywhere in Zambia.
How do you fly to Livingstone, Zambia?
Proflight Zambia flies direct to Livingstone's Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport from Lusaka every day, up to three times a day, and from Cape Town three times a week. Most Americans connect through one of those cities. Schedules change by season, so check the current timetable.
Are there power cuts in Livingstone, Zambia?
Zambia had heavy load shedding during the 2024 drought. In September 2026 the government said it doesn't expect load shedding this year, but in October 2026 water for Kariba Dam's 2027 power generation was cut by about a third, raising the risk of cuts. Plan for a solar or battery backup.
How much does it cost to live in Livingstone, Zambia?
One person should plan on about $1,100 a month in Livingstone, with $800 to $1,400 as a realistic range. A couple needs about $1,600 and a family of four about $2,500. A one-bedroom apartment near the center rents for around $450 a month. These are 2026 estimates in U.S. dollars from limited data.
Do you need a car in Livingstone?
It helps a lot. Roads often lack sidewalks and street lighting, and the most popular trips, to the Falls, river lodges and parks, are easiest with your own vehicle. Americans need an International Driving Permit to drive in Zambia.
Can Americans retire in Livingstone, Zambia?
Yes. Zambia offers a retiree residence permit, and Livingstone suits retirees who want wildlife, the Zambezi and a modest budget of about $1,100 a month for one person. The trade-off is healthcare: serious emergencies usually mean evacuation to South Africa or farther, so evacuation coverage is essential.
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