Cost of living in Malawi compared to India
Currency:
Food | + 21% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 21% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (₨648) | ₨374 | + 73% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (₨405) | ₨336 | + 20% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (₨158) | ₨165 | - 4% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha (₨121) | ₨58 | + 110% | |
12 eggs, large | - | ₨92 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (₨60) | ₨39 | + 56% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha (₨648) | ₨241 | + 168% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (₨130) | ₨155 | - 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (₨76) | ₨31 | + 145% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha (₨65) | ₨170 | - 62% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (₨686) | ₨779 | - 12% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha (₨219) | ₨91 | + 141% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (₨32) | ₨37 | - 14% | |
Housing | + 30% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 30% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (₨45,022) | ₨40,384 | + 11% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (₨25,058) | ₨24,853 | + 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (₨4,541) | ₨5,760 | - 21% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (₨28,332) | ₨25,064 | + 13% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨15,060 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (₨1,619) | ₨6,534 | - 75% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨4,047) | ₨659 | + 514% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (₨20,596) | ₨31,167 | - 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha (₨12,142) | ₨12,189 | - 0% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (₨729) | ₨543 | + 34% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨426 | - | |
Clothes | + 442% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 442% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨2,428) | ₨2,468 | - 2% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (₨21,046) | ₨2,797 | + 652% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨4,047) | ₨4,303 | - 6% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (₨5,720) | ₨3,087 | + 85% | |
Transportation | + 55% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 55% 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 (₨790,000) | ₨1,248,440 | - 37% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha (₨162) | ₨104 | + 55% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (₨2,873) | ₨1,105 | + 160% | |
Personal Care | - 23% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 23% cheaper than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨81) | ₨144 | - 44% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨241 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (₨1,634) | ₨878 | + 86% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨413 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (₨91) | ₨226 | - 60% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨81) | ₨274 | - 70% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (₨121) | ₨170 | - 29% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (₨121) | ₨96 | + 27% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (₨364) | ₨309 | + 18% | |
Entertainment | + 24% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 24% more expensive than in India | ||||
Malawi | India | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (₨2,428) | ₨1,449 | + 68% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (₨324) | ₨607 | - 47% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨1,419 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha (₨2,916) | ₨1,942 | + 50% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (₨324) | ₨733 | - 56% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (₨206) | ₨229 | - 10% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha (₨202) | ₨181 | + 12% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (₨24,284) | ₨50,214 | - 52% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (₨8) | ₨1.43 | + 466% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha (₨4,126) | ₨1,578 | + 161% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ₨265 | - | |
TOTAL | + 58% |

These prices were last updated on June 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.08095
INR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 58% more expensive than in India
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