Cost of living in Malawi compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 30% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,492 Kwacha (₨537) | ₨388 | + 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,405 Kwacha (₨333) | ₨280 | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,100 Kwacha (₨108) | ₨141 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 915 Kwacha (₨90) | ₨52 | + 71% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,276 Kwacha (₨125) | ₨72 | + 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 928 Kwacha (₨91) | ₨37 | + 146% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 4,035 Kwacha (₨395) | ₨214 | + 85% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,596 Kwacha (₨254) | ₨140 | + 81% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 541 Kwacha (₨53) | ₨28 | + 87% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 689 Kwacha (₨67) | ₨127 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 9,034 Kwacha (₨884) | ₨825 | + 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,693 Kwacha (₨166) | ₨84 | + 96% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 491 Kwacha (₨48) | ₨35 | + 36% | |
| Housing | + 102% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 102% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 593,262 Kwacha (₨58,025) | ₨31,240 | + 86% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 346,431 Kwacha (₨33,883) | ₨20,049 | + 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (₨5,486) | ₨4,200 | + 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 442,050 Kwacha (₨43,235) | ₨23,452 | + 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 238,253 Kwacha (₨23,303) | ₨13,724 | + 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 27,062 Kwacha (₨2,647) | ₨3,236 | - 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 54,636 Kwacha (₨5,344) | ₨743 | + 620% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 379,046 Kwacha (₨37,073) | ₨30,584 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 69,630 Kwacha (₨6,810) | ₨10,522 | - 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (₨295) | ₨379 | - 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨325 | - | |
| Clothes | + 634% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 634% more expensive than in India | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨2,934) | ₨2,357 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (₨25,430) | ₨2,578 | + 887% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 52,912 Kwacha (₨5,175) | ₨3,785 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (₨6,911) | ₨2,828 | + 144% | |
| Transportation | + 44% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 44% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (₨954,523) | ₨934,597 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (₨84) | ₨76 | + 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 27,238 Kwacha (₨2,664) | ₨1,219 | + 119% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 6% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (₨196) | ₨106 | + 85% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨211 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (₨1,975) | ₨975 | + 103% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨248 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (₨110) | ₨173 | - 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨98) | ₨242 | - 60% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (₨104) | ₨152 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (₨130) | ₨69 | + 87% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (₨391) | ₨243 | + 61% | |
| Entertainment | + 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 9% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (₨1,862) | ₨1,179 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (₨391) | ₨467 | - 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,718 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (₨2,228) | ₨1,945 | + 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (₨301) | ₨686 | - 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (₨149) | ₨220 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (₨118) | ₨226 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (₨29,342) | ₨33,881 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (₨8) | ₨3.67 | + 113% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (₨2,402) | ₨1,918 | + 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (₨199) | ₨245 | - 19% | |
| TOTAL | + 86% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 18,545 prices entered by 2,284 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 24, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.09781
INR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 86% more expensive than in India
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