Cost of living in Malawi compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 32% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 32% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (₨760) | ₨337 | + 126% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (₨475) | ₨294 | + 62% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (₨185) | ₨162 | + 14% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (₨94) | ₨54 | + 74% | |
12 eggs, large | - | ₨83 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (₨71) | ₨40 | + 77% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (₨375) | ₨216 | + 74% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (₨152) | ₨152 | + 0% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (₨89) | ₨29 | + 208% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (₨54) | ₨148 | - 63% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (₨805) | ₨766 | + 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,247 Kwacha (₨118) | ₨88 | + 35% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (₨38) | ₨35 | + 9% | |
Housing | + 127% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 127% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (₨52,854) | ₨31,549 | + 68% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (₨29,418) | ₨20,122 | + 46% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (₨5,331) | ₨4,477 | + 19% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (₨33,261) | ₨22,933 | + 45% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨14,192 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (₨1,901) | ₨3,664 | - 48% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 74,691 Kwacha (₨7,098) | ₨511 | + 1290% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (₨24,179) | ₨29,219 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 251,235 Kwacha (₨23,875) | ₨12,383 | + 93% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (₨855) | ₨416 | + 106% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨320 | - | |
Clothes | + 581% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 581% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨2,851) | ₨2,328 | + 22% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (₨24,708) | ₨2,564 | + 864% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨4,752) | ₨3,571 | + 33% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (₨6,715) | ₨3,002 | + 124% | |
Transportation | + 45% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 45% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (₨927,442) | ₨980,422 | - 5% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 900 Kwacha (₨86) | ₨108 | - 20% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (₨3,373) | ₨1,414 | + 139% | |
Personal Care | - 11% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 11% cheaper than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨95) | ₨140 | - 32% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨303 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (₨1,919) | ₨1,443 | + 33% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨402 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (₨107) | ₨190 | - 44% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨95) | ₨248 | - 62% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (₨143) | ₨152 | - 6% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (₨143) | ₨72 | + 99% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (₨428) | ₨373 | + 15% | |
Entertainment | + 54% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 54% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (₨2,851) | ₨1,422 | + 101% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (₨380) | ₨607 | - 37% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,517 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42,791 Kwacha (₨4,067) | ₨2,140 | + 90% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (₨380) | ₨607 | - 37% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (₨241) | ₨229 | + 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,500 Kwacha (₨143) | ₨173 | - 18% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (₨28,509) | ₨46,652 | - 39% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (₨10) | ₨1.29 | + 636% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Kwacha (₨5,702) | ₨1,540 | + 270% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (₨193) | ₨247 | - 22% | |
TOTAL | + 94% |

These prices were last updated on May 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.09503
INR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 94% more expensive than in India
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