Cost of living in Malawi compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 23% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha (48元) | 56元 | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha (31元) | 37元 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha (16元) | 16元 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (8元) | 13元 | - 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha (15元) | 14元 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (6元) | 8元 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (32元) | 56元 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (13元) | 13元 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (8元) | 7元 | + 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (4.66元) | 6元 | - 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (69元) | 119元 | - 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha (11元) | 9元 | + 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha (4.13元) | 10元 | - 57% | |
| Housing | - 1% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is about the same as in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (4,541元) | 7,672元 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (2,527元) | 4,517元 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (458元) | 412元 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (2,857元) | 7,031元 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 4,064元 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (163元) | 279元 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (408元) | 88元 | + 364% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 257,156 Kwacha (2,099元) | 2,091元 | + 0% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha (2,857元) | 619元 | + 362% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (25元) | 43元 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 41元 | - | |
| Clothes | + 410% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 410% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (245元) | 415元 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (2,123元) | 211元 | + 904% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha (327元) | 590元 | - 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (577元) | 663元 | - 13% | |
| Transportation | + 8% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 8% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (79,673元) | 159,594元 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (7元) | 6元 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (290元) | 176元 | + 65% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 52% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (16元) | 30元 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 36元 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (165元) | 440元 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 35元 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (9元) | 38元 | - 76% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (8元) | 36元 | - 77% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (9元) | 10元 | - 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (11元) | 11元 | + 3% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (33元) | 80元 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (155元) | 206元 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (33元) | 97元 | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 743元 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (186元) | 429元 | - 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (25元) | 67元 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (12元) | 35元 | - 64% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (10元) | 32元 | - 69% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (2,449元) | 3,535元 | - 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (0.65元) | 0.68元 | - 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (201元) | 481元 | - 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (17元) | 23元 | - 27% | |
| TOTAL | + 3% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,948 prices entered by 206 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00816
CNY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is about the same as in China
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