Cost of living in Malawi compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 41% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (¥1,270) | ¥1,145 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (¥793) | ¥719 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (¥310) | ¥437 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (¥156) | ¥211 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | ¥282 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (¥118) | ¥815 | - 86% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (¥626) | ¥951 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (¥254) | ¥984 | - 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (¥148) | ¥421 | - 65% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (¥91) | ¥268 | - 66% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (¥1,344) | ¥1,770 | - 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,247 Kwacha (¥198) | ¥217 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (¥64) | ¥225 | - 72% | |
| Housing | - 11% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 11% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (¥88,262) | ¥194,768 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (¥49,125) | ¥126,641 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (¥8,902) | ¥21,178 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (¥55,543) | ¥142,258 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥80,836 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (¥3,174) | ¥13,643 | - 77% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 74,691 Kwacha (¥11,853) | ¥3,988 | + 197% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (¥40,377) | ¥59,521 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 251,235 Kwacha (¥39,869) | ¥17,809 | + 124% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (¥1,428) | ¥665 | + 115% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,700 | - | |
| Clothes | + 410% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 410% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (¥4,761) | ¥7,941 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (¥41,260) | ¥4,162 | + 891% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (¥7,935) | ¥7,471 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (¥11,213) | ¥15,388 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | - 57% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 57% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (¥1,548,745) | ¥2,576,380 | - 40% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 900 Kwacha (¥143) | ¥161 | - 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (¥5,633) | ¥16,725 | - 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 44% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥159) | ¥1,370 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,955 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (¥3,204) | ¥3,523 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥2,205 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (¥179) | ¥648 | - 72% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥159) | ¥409 | - 61% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (¥238) | ¥143 | + 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (¥238) | ¥184 | + 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (¥714) | ¥3,583 | - 80% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 26% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (¥4,761) | ¥4,280 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (¥635) | ¥3,593 | - 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥20,657 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42,791 Kwacha (¥6,791) | ¥6,242 | + 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (¥635) | ¥1,034 | - 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (¥403) | ¥533 | - 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,500 Kwacha (¥238) | ¥526 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (¥47,608) | ¥58,872 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (¥16) | ¥41 | - 62% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Kwacha (¥9,522) | ¥11,178 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (¥323) | ¥554 | - 42% | |
| TOTAL | - 23% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 631 prices entered by 79 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.15869
JPY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 23% cheaper than in Japan
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