- Cost of Living
- Malawi
- United States
- Lilongwe
- Chicago
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between Lilongwe (Malawi) and Chicago (United States)
| Food | 51% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 51% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | 1,250 Kwacha ($3.53) | $12.41 | 72% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | - | $5.88 | - |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | 800 Kwacha ($2.26) | $4.14 | 45% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 200 Kwacha ($0.56) | $2.38 | 76% |
| 12 eggs, large | - | $2.21 | - |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | $2.95 | - |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,600 Kwacha ($4.52) | $4.99 | 10% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 360 Kwacha ($1.02) | $3.42 | 70% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | 400 Kwacha ($1.13) | $3.43 | 67% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | 163 Kwacha ($0.46) | $1.60 | 71% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $13.62 | - |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | 400 Kwacha ($1.13) | $1.55 | 27% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | 88 Kwacha ($0.25) | $1.96 | 87% |
| Housing | 12% | ||
| Housing in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 12% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | - | $1,516 | - |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 7,000 Kwacha ($19.76) | $103 | 81% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | 7,000 Kwacha ($19.76) | $38 | 48% |
| 40” flat screen TV | - | $487 | - |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | - | $86 | - |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $6.99 | - |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $22 | - |
| Clothes | 28% | ||
| Clothes in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 28% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | - | $46 | - |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | 5,000 Kwacha ($14.12) | $39 | 63% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | - | $63 | - |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | - | $80 | - |
| Transportation | 26% | ||
| Transportation in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 26% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,500,000 Kwacha ($9,881) | $21,808 | 55% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 290 Kwacha ($0.82) | $1.04 | 22% |
| monthly ticket public transport | - | $89 | - |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | - | $16.64 | - |
| Personal Care | 54% | ||
| Personal Care in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 54% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | 200 Kwacha ($0.56) | $7.21 | 92% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | 1,600 Kwacha ($4.52) | $5.77 | 22% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | - | $3.21 | - |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $4.09 | - |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 500 Kwacha ($1.41) | $2.99 | 53% |
| Tube of toothpaste | 250 Kwacha ($0.71) | $2.89 | 76% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 1,000 Kwacha ($2.82) | $18.58 | 85% |
| Entertainment | 51% | ||
| Entertainment in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 51% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,000 Kwacha ($2.82) | $41 | 93% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | $21 | - |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $173 | - |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | 6,000 Kwacha ($16.94) | $98 | 83% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 700 Kwacha ($1.98) | $11.03 | 82% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | - | $4.10 | - |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | 250 Kwacha ($0.71) | $4.77 | 85% |
| iPod nano 16GB | - | $117 | - |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.51 | - |
| 1 month of gym in business district | - | $70 | - |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | 600 Kwacha ($1.69) | $10.58 | 84% |
| TOTAL | 35% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,761 prices entered by 490 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 24, 2013.
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Cost of living in Lilongwe (Malawi) is 35% cheaper than in Chicago (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
$3,750
in Chicago
you would need to make just about $2,443
(865,300 Kwacha)
in Lilongwe.