Cost of living in Malawi compared to Indonesia
Currency:
Food | - 9% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 9% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (Rp 143,512) | Rp 61,205 | + 134% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (Rp 89,695) | Rp 48,353 | + 85% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (Rp 34,992) | Rp 29,046 | + 20% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (Rp 17,684) | Rp 21,836 | - 19% | |
12 eggs, large | - | Rp 22,834 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (Rp 13,333) | Rp 14,630 | - 9% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (Rp 70,784) | Rp 66,405 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (Rp 28,736) | Rp 43,134 | - 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (Rp 16,775) | Rp 18,263 | - 8% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (Rp 10,246) | Rp 34,771 | - 71% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (Rp 151,950) | Rp 406,659 | - 63% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,247 Kwacha (Rp 22,368) | Rp 17,291 | + 29% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (Rp 7,187) | Rp 16,247 | - 56% | |
Housing | + 60% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 60% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (Rp 9,977,297) | Rp 13,044,000 | - 24% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (Rp 5,553,134) | Rp 6,448,100 | - 14% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (Rp 1,006,258) | Rp 801,210 | + 26% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (Rp 6,278,640) | Rp 6,665,800 | - 6% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | Rp 3,107,490 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (Rp 358,779) | Rp 505,106 | - 29% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 74,691 Kwacha (Rp 1,339,887) | Rp 237,062 | + 465% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (Rp 4,564,230) | Rp 3,563,720 | + 28% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 251,235 Kwacha (Rp 4,506,897) | Rp 1,234,820 | + 265% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (Rp 161,451) | Rp 57,323 | + 182% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | Rp 95,242 | - | |
Clothes | + 455% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 455% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 538,169) | Rp 648,513 | - 17% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (Rp 4,664,132) | Rp 480,172 | + 871% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (Rp 896,949) | Rp 1,195,760 | - 25% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (Rp 1,267,559) | Rp 1,102,700 | + 15% | |
Transportation | + 5% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 5% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (Rp 175,072,513) | Rp 417,700,000 | - 58% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 900 Kwacha (Rp 16,145) | Rp 9,337 | + 73% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (Rp 636,787) | Rp 419,026 | + 52% | |
Personal Care | + 10% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 10% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (Rp 17,939) | Rp 19,709 | - 9% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | Rp 89,583 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (Rp 362,206) | Rp 204,790 | + 77% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | Rp 108,192 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (Rp 20,219) | Rp 22,334 | - 9% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (Rp 17,939) | Rp 30,094 | - 40% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (Rp 26,908) | Rp 22,886 | + 18% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (Rp 26,908) | Rp 11,284 | + 138% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (Rp 80,725) | Rp 119,565 | - 32% | |
Entertainment | + 10% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 10% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 538,169) | Rp 261,585 | + 106% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (Rp 71,756) | Rp 99,216 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | Rp 251,127 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42,791 Kwacha (Rp 767,632) | Rp 573,242 | + 34% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (Rp 71,756) | Rp 159,890 | - 55% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (Rp 45,577) | Rp 39,869 | + 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,500 Kwacha (Rp 26,908) | Rp 65,361 | - 59% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (Rp 5,381,691) | Rp 10,724,300 | - 50% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (Rp 1,794) | Rp 2,093 | - 14% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Kwacha (Rp 1,076,338) | Rp 509,555 | + 111% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (Rp 36,459) | Rp 32,683 | + 12% | |
TOTAL | + 42% |

These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
17.939
IDR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 42% more expensive than in Indonesia
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