Cost of living in Malawi compared to Indonesia
Currency:
| Food | + 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 16% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (Rp 110,761) | Rp 67,167 | + 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (Rp 111,590) | Rp 61,090 | + 83% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (Rp 46,230) | Rp 32,593 | + 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (Rp 27,800) | Rp 25,633 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (Rp 35,041) | Rp 31,337 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (Rp 21,985) | Rp 12,592 | + 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (Rp 108,938) | Rp 72,901 | + 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (Rp 48,813) | Rp 45,403 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (Rp 33,458) | Rp 22,376 | + 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (Rp 18,874) | Rp 32,966 | - 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (Rp 200,336) | Rp 344,694 | - 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (Rp 41,390) | Rp 18,943 | + 118% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (Rp 9,913) | Rp 15,178 | - 35% | |
| Housing | + 45% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 45% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,950,720 Kwacha (Rp 27,846,570) | Rp 20,348,700 | + 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,921,150 Kwacha (Rp 18,130,300) | Rp 11,729,200 | + 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (Rp 2,649,101) | Rp 1,724,710 | + 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (Rp 14,504,806) | Rp 7,387,200 | + 96% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (Rp 7,036,961) | Rp 4,597,950 | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (Rp 2,615,703) | Rp 1,423,880 | + 84% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (Rp 471,861) | Rp 378,883 | + 25% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (Rp 8,278,030) | Rp 3,205,730 | + 158% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (Rp 2,394,202) | Rp 1,931,010 | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (Rp 73,343) | Rp 91,402 | - 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | Rp 83,441 | - | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 30% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (Rp 349,265) | Rp 651,126 | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (Rp 249,979) | Rp 458,661 | - 45% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (Rp 1,307,856) | Rp 1,449,070 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (Rp 1,597,644) | Rp 1,296,520 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | - 6% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 6% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha (Rp 187,105,940) | Rp 504,781,000 | - 63% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (Rp 23,473) | Rp 12,092 | + 94% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (Rp 566,233) | Rp 535,183 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 41% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (Rp 34,435) | Rp 22,456 | + 53% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (Rp 56,623) | Rp 96,147 | - 41% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (Rp 304,662) | Rp 264,826 | + 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (Rp 68,215) | Rp 66,604 | + 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (Rp 35,390) | Rp 26,592 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (Rp 141,558) | Rp 33,023 | + 329% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (Rp 28,312) | Rp 27,953 | + 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (Rp 28,312) | Rp 21,349 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (Rp 169,870) | Rp 84,361 | + 101% | |
| Entertainment | + 94% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 94% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (Rp 754,977) | Rp 261,890 | + 188% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 283,116) | Rp 96,262 | + 194% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 283,116) | Rp 496,791 | - 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (Rp 943,721) | Rp 397,663 | + 137% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (Rp 75,498) | Rp 149,637 | - 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (Rp 56,623) | Rp 38,785 | + 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (Rp 18,874) | Rp 50,891 | - 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (Rp 943,721) | Rp 6,922,760 | - 86% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (Rp 9,437) | Rp 2,388 | + 295% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 283,116) | Rp 433,566 | - 35% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (Rp 56,623) | Rp 46,861 | + 21% | |
| TOTAL | + 27% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 292 prices entered by 68 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.437
IDR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 27% more expensive than in Indonesia
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