Cost of living in Malawi compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (66元) | 43元 | + 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (41元) | 37元 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (16元) | 17元 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (8元) | 14元 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | 16元 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (6元) | 9元 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (33元) | 48元 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (13元) | 13元 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (8元) | 6元 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (4.72元) | 7元 | - 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (70元) | 97元 | - 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,247 Kwacha (10元) | 9元 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (3.31元) | 13元 | - 75% | |
| Housing | - 12% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (4,599元) | 13,898元 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (2,560元) | 8,379元 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (464元) | 462元 | + 0% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (2,894元) | 6,525元 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 4,376元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (165元) | 516元 | - 68% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 74,691 Kwacha (618元) | 140元 | + 341% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (2,104元) | 1,829元 | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 251,235 Kwacha (2,078元) | 546元 | + 281% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (74元) | 50元 | + 49% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 66元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 294% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 294% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (248元) | 511元 | - 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (2,150元) | 288元 | + 646% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (413元) | 654元 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (584元) | 844元 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | + 3% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is about the same as in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (80,704元) | 148,501元 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 900 Kwacha (7元) | 8元 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (294元) | 206元 | + 42% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 48% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (8元) | 28元 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 27元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (167元) | 386元 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 30元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (9元) | 19元 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (8元) | 44元 | - 81% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (12元) | 21元 | - 41% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (12元) | 16元 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (37元) | 82元 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 4% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (248元) | 260元 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (33元) | 122元 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 417元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42,791 Kwacha (354元) | 319元 | + 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (33元) | 90元 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (21元) | 31元 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,500 Kwacha (12元) | 19元 | - 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (2,481元) | 2,968元 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (0.83元) | 0.24元 | + 239% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Kwacha (496元) | 410元 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (17元) | 38元 | - 55% | |
| TOTAL | + 6% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,184 prices entered by 113 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 04, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00827
CNY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 6% more expensive than in China
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