Cost of living in Malawi compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 45% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Malawi | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (₨581) | ₨412 | + 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (₨586) | ₨355 | + 65% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (₨243) | ₨177 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (₨146) | ₨62 | + 134% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (₨184) | ₨101 | + 81% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (₨115) | ₨43 | + 170% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (₨572) | ₨269 | + 113% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (₨256) | ₨198 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (₨176) | ₨40 | + 334% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (₨99) | ₨179 | - 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (₨1,052) | ₨977 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (₨217) | ₨94 | + 132% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (₨52) | ₨44 | + 17% | |
| Housing | + 116% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 116% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Malawi | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (₨114,291) | ₨44,844 | + 155% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (₨55,624) | ₨30,360 | + 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (₨13,906) | ₨5,103 | + 172% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (₨76,141) | ₨30,927 | + 146% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (₨36,940) | ₨19,243 | + 92% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (₨13,731) | ₨6,210 | + 121% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨2,477) | ₨771 | + 221% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (₨43,454) | ₨27,217 | + 60% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (₨12,568) | ₨11,683 | + 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (₨385) | ₨504 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨1,096 | - | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 15% cheaper than in India | ||||
| Malawi | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (₨1,833) | ₨2,570 | - 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (₨1,312) | ₨2,685 | - 51% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (₨6,865) | ₨4,220 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (₨8,387) | ₨3,047 | + 175% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 25% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Malawi | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha (₨982,188) | ₨1,836,560 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (₨123) | ₨104 | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (₨2,972) | ₨1,541 | + 93% | |
| Personal Care | + 28% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 28% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Malawi | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (₨181) | ₨107 | + 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (₨297) | ₨299 | - 1% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (₨1,599) | ₨1,117 | + 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (₨358) | ₨374 | - 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (₨186) | ₨235 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (₨743) | ₨274 | + 172% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (₨149) | ₨181 | - 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (₨149) | ₨96 | + 56% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (₨892) | ₨319 | + 179% | |
| Entertainment | + 115% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 115% more expensive than in India | ||||
| Malawi | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (₨3,963) | ₨1,483 | + 167% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (₨1,486) | ₨618 | + 140% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨1,486) | ₨1,571 | - 5% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (₨4,954) | ₨2,160 | + 129% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (₨396) | ₨907 | - 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (₨297) | ₨236 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (₨99) | ₨200 | - 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (₨4,954) | ₨41,395 | - 88% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨50) | ₨5.89 | + 742% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (₨1,486) | ₨1,826 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (₨297) | ₨280 | + 6% | |
| TOTAL | + 62% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,644 prices entered by 623 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.04954
INR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 62% more expensive than in India
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