Cost of living in Malawi compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 7% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha (57元) | 42元 | + 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha (37元) | 34元 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha (19元) | 15元 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (10元) | 15元 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha (17元) | 13元 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (7元) | 8元 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (38元) | 53元 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (16元) | 14元 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (9元) | 5.82元 | + 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (5.55元) | 5.36元 | + 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (82元) | 103元 | - 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha (13元) | 8元 | + 66% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha (4.92元) | 15元 | - 66% | |
| Housing | + 14% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 14% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (5,407元) | 8,839元 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (3,009元) | 4,621元 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (545元) | 386元 | + 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (3,402元) | 5,293元 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,034元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (194元) | 280元 | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (486元) | 87元 | + 458% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 320,000 Kwacha (3,111元) | 2,283元 | + 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha (3,402元) | 525元 | + 548% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (29元) | 38元 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 50元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 508% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 508% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (292元) | 447元 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (2,527元) | 235元 | + 975% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha (389元) | 608元 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (687元) | 568元 | + 21% | |
| Transportation | + 41% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 41% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (94,872元) | 129,883元 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (8元) | 7元 | + 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (345元) | 151元 | + 129% | |
| Personal Care | - 47% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 47% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (19元) | 32元 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 34元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (196元) | 357元 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 40元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (11元) | 50元 | - 78% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (10元) | 33元 | - 70% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (10元) | 8元 | + 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (13元) | 11元 | + 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (39元) | 74元 | - 48% | |
| Entertainment | - 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 17% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (185元) | 179元 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (39元) | 96元 | - 60% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,203元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (221元) | 359元 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (30元) | 67元 | - 55% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (15元) | 32元 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (12元) | 28元 | - 58% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (2,916元) | 3,283元 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (0.78元) | 0.28元 | + 179% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (239元) | 312元 | - 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (20元) | 20元 | - 1% | |
| TOTAL | + 34% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,522 prices entered by 296 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00972
CNY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 34% more expensive than in China
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