Cost of living in Malawi compared to Indonesia
Currency:
Food | - 8% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 8% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (Rp 116,072) | Rp 45,378 | + 156% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (Rp 72,545) | Rp 54,330 | + 34% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (Rp 28,302) | Rp 27,591 | + 3% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha (Rp 21,764) | Rp 19,722 | + 10% | |
12 eggs, large | - | Rp 26,707 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (Rp 10,784) | Rp 18,501 | - 42% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha (Rp 116,072) | Rp 56,542 | + 105% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (Rp 23,241) | Rp 42,973 | - 46% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (Rp 13,568) | Rp 22,558 | - 40% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha (Rp 11,607) | Rp 34,959 | - 67% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (Rp 122,897) | Rp 337,317 | - 64% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha (Rp 39,174) | Rp 20,426 | + 92% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (Rp 5,813) | Rp 17,971 | - 68% | |
Housing | - 14% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 14% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (Rp 8,069,630) | Rp 17,746,200 | - 55% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (Rp 4,491,371) | Rp 9,563,600 | - 53% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (Rp 813,861) | Rp 496,641 | + 64% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (Rp 5,078,159) | Rp 7,338,660 | - 31% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | Rp 4,109,450 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (Rp 290,181) | Rp 1,211,340 | - 76% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (Rp 725,451) | Rp 400,530 | + 81% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (Rp 3,691,546) | Rp 4,056,150 | - 9% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha (Rp 2,176,354) | Rp 1,358,260 | + 60% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (Rp 130,581) | Rp 43,866 | + 198% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | Rp 71,573 | - | |
Clothes | + 378% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 378% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 435,271) | Rp 624,572 | - 30% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (Rp 3,772,347) | Rp 439,901 | + 758% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (Rp 725,451) | Rp 1,223,050 | - 41% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (Rp 1,025,201) | Rp 1,298,040 | - 21% | |
Transportation | + 29% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 29% 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 141,598,522) | Rp 535,705,000 | - 74% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha (Rp 29,018) | Rp 11,904 | + 144% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (Rp 515,033) | Rp 150,291 | + 243% | |
Personal Care | - 17% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 17% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (Rp 14,509) | Rp 36,367 | - 60% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | Rp 60,467 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (Rp 292,952) | Rp 313,421 | - 7% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | Rp 130,123 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (Rp 16,353) | Rp 19,595 | - 17% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (Rp 14,509) | Rp 34,558 | - 58% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (Rp 21,764) | Rp 30,035 | - 28% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (Rp 21,764) | Rp 15,580 | + 40% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (Rp 65,291) | Rp 88,350 | - 26% | |
Entertainment | - 9% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 9% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
Malawi | Indonesia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (Rp 435,271) | Rp 216,012 | + 102% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (Rp 58,036) | Rp 104,481 | - 44% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | Rp 2,274,680 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha (Rp 522,586) | Rp 383,761 | + 36% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (Rp 58,036) | Rp 162,937 | - 64% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (Rp 36,862) | Rp 36,298 | + 2% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha (Rp 36,273) | Rp 40,791 | - 11% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (Rp 4,352,708) | Rp 12,194,000 | - 64% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (Rp 1,451) | Rp 2,029 | - 28% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha (Rp 739,569) | Rp 496,553 | + 49% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | Rp 35,528 | - | |
TOTAL | + 21% |

These prices were last updated on June 05, 2023.
Exchange rate:
14.509
IDR
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 21% more expensive than in Indonesia
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