Cost of living in Malawi compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 27% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 27% more expensive than in India | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha (₨548) | ₨370 | + 48% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha (₨357) | ₨294 | + 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha (₨179) | ₨143 | + 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (₨92) | ₨52 | + 75% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha (₨166) | ₨73 | + 127% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (₨69) | ₨36 | + 91% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (₨367) | ₨227 | + 62% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (₨149) | ₨140 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (₨87) | ₨31 | + 181% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (₨53) | ₨132 | - 60% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (₨788) | ₨772 | + 2% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha (₨121) | ₨85 | + 42% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha (₨47) | ₨36 | + 31% | |
Housing | + 85% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 85% more expensive than in India | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (₨51,753) | ₨33,366 | + 55% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (₨28,804) | ₨19,918 | + 45% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (₨5,220) | ₨4,363 | + 20% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (₨32,568) | ₨19,036 | + 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨12,499 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (₨1,861) | ₨3,334 | - 44% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨4,653) | ₨676 | + 588% | |
40” flat screen tv | 257,156 Kwacha (₨23,929) | ₨29,555 | - 19% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha (₨32,568) | ₨10,444 | + 212% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (₨280) | ₨411 | - 32% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨211 | - | |
Clothes | + 582% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 582% more expensive than in India | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨2,792) | ₨2,314 | + 21% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (₨24,193) | ₨2,579 | + 838% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha (₨3,722) | ₨3,601 | + 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (₨6,575) | ₨2,719 | + 142% | |
Transportation | + 60% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 60% more expensive than in India | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (₨908,112) | ₨918,724 | - 1% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (₨80) | ₨80 | + 0% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (₨3,303) | ₨1,164 | + 184% | |
Personal Care | - 1% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is about the same as in India | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (₨186) | ₨100 | + 85% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨212 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (₨1,879) | ₨624 | + 201% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨316 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (₨105) | ₨161 | - 35% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨93) | ₨254 | - 63% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (₨99) | ₨140 | - 29% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (₨124) | ₨68 | + 81% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (₨372) | ₨239 | + 56% | |
Entertainment | + 5% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 5% more expensive than in India | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (₨1,772) | ₨1,175 | + 51% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (₨372) | ₨473 | - 21% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,631 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (₨2,119) | ₨1,624 | + 31% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (₨286) | ₨568 | - 50% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (₨142) | ₨193 | - 26% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (₨112) | ₨190 | - 41% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (₨27,915) | ₨36,202 | - 23% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (₨7) | ₨5.27 | + 41% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (₨2,286) | ₨1,574 | + 45% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (₨189) | ₨271 | - 30% | |
TOTAL | + 78% |

These prices were last updated on March 07, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.09305
INR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 78% more expensive than in India
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