Cost of living in Malawi compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 11% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (50元) | 42元 | + 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (50元) | 36元 | + 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (21元) | 15元 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (12元) | 14元 | - 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (16元) | 16元 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (10元) | 11元 | - 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (49元) | 50元 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (22元) | 16元 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (15元) | 7元 | + 126% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (8元) | 7元 | + 27% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (90元) | 94元 | - 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (19元) | 9元 | + 115% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (4.45元) | 13元 | - 64% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (9,781元) | 12,848元 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (4,760元) | 5,937元 | - 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (1,190元) | 450元 | + 165% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (6,516元) | 6,875元 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (3,161元) | 3,656元 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (1,175元) | 296元 | + 297% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (212元) | 100元 | + 113% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (3,719元) | 1,460元 | + 155% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (1,076元) | 553元 | + 95% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (33元) | 43元 | - 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 55元 | - | |
| Clothes | - 46% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 46% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (157元) | 418元 | - 62% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (112元) | 296元 | - 62% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (588元) | 553元 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (718元) | 705元 | + 2% | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| 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 | 19,826,400 Kwacha (84,053元) | 148,726元 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (11元) | 8元 | + 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (254元) | 228元 | + 11% | |
| Personal Care | - 39% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 39% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (15元) | 51元 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (25元) | 84元 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (137元) | 114元 | + 20% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (31元) | 67元 | - 54% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (16元) | 57元 | - 72% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (64元) | 25元 | + 154% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (13元) | 7元 | + 83% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (13元) | 13元 | + 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (76元) | 85元 | - 10% | |
| Entertainment | + 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 49% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Malawi | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (339元) | 178元 | + 90% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (127元) | 109元 | + 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (127元) | 1,179元 | - 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (424元) | 320元 | + 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (34元) | 81元 | - 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (25元) | 28元 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (8元) | 15元 | - 44% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (424元) | 3,924元 | - 89% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (4.24元) | 0.34元 | + 1163% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (127元) | 414元 | - 69% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (25元) | 25元 | + 2% | |
| TOTAL | + 7% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 865 prices entered by 118 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00424
CNY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 7% more expensive than in China
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