Cost of living in Mali compared to China
Currency:
Food | - 38% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Mali is 38% cheaper than in China | ||||
Mali | China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | - | 42元 | - | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 500 Franc (6元) | 39元 | - 84% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 276 Franc (3.36元) | 14元 | - 77% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,061 Franc (13元) | 14元 | - 7% | |
12 eggs, large | 893 Franc (11元) | 16元 | - 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 500 Franc (6元) | 10元 | - 41% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 551 Franc (7元) | 50元 | - 87% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 367 Franc (4.49元) | 16元 | - 72% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 250 Franc (3.05元) | 6元 | - 53% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 613 Franc (7元) | 6元 | + 17% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,000 Franc (24元) | 89元 | - 72% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 500 Franc (6元) | 8元 | - 26% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 556 Franc (7元) | 13元 | - 46% | |
Housing | + 67% | |||
Housing in Mali is 67% more expensive than in China | ||||
Mali | China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 900,000 Franc (10,989元) | 12,713元 | - 14% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | 5,917元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 40,000 Franc (488元) | 450元 | + 9% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 600,000 Franc (7,326元) | 6,564元 | + 12% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 3,518元 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 125,000 Franc (1,526元) | 296元 | + 416% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 40,000 Franc (488元) | 100元 | + 390% | |
40” flat screen tv | 566,667 Franc (6,919元) | 1,460元 | + 374% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Franc (488元) | 553元 | - 12% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 40,000 Franc (488元) | 43元 | + 1037% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 40,000 Franc (488元) | 55元 | + 782% | |
Clothes | - 8% | |||
Clothes in Mali is 8% cheaper than in China | ||||
Mali | China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | 418元 | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | 296元 | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 30,000 Franc (366元) | 553元 | - 34% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 25,000 Franc (305元) | 705元 | - 57% | |
Transportation | - 19% | |||
Transportation in Mali is 19% cheaper than in China | ||||
Mali | China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | - | 148,726元 | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 701 Franc (9元) | 8元 | + 12% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 10,000 Franc (122元) | 228元 | - 47% | |
Personal Care | - 24% | |||
Personal Care in Mali is 24% cheaper than in China | ||||
Mali | China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | 42元 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,000 Franc (37元) | 59元 | - 38% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 10,000 Franc (122元) | 114元 | + 7% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 67元 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,875 Franc (23元) | 57元 | - 60% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | 25元 | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,400 Franc (17元) | 6元 | + 178% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 750 Franc (9元) | 13元 | - 27% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | - | 85元 | - | |
Entertainment | + 2% | |||
Entertainment in Mali is about the same as in China | ||||
Mali | China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | 178元 | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | - | 105元 | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 1,179元 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 25,000 Franc (305元) | 320元 | - 5% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 81元 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | - | 28元 | - | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,924元 | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | 0.34元 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Franc (366元) | 412元 | - 11% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 5,000 Franc (61元) | 25元 | + 146% | |
TOTAL | + 7% |

These prices were last updated on May 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01221
CNY
/
XOF
Cost of living in Mali is 7% more expensive than in China
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