Cost of living in Malawi compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha (¥797) | ¥941 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha (¥519) | ¥695 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha (¥261) | ¥426 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (¥133) | ¥203 | - 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha (¥242) | ¥244 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (¥101) | ¥653 | - 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (¥534) | ¥888 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (¥217) | ¥792 | - 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (¥127) | ¥389 | - 67% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (¥77) | ¥306 | - 75% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (¥1,147) | ¥1,351 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha (¥176) | ¥185 | - 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha (¥68) | ¥246 | - 72% | |
| Housing | - 46% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (¥75,309) | ¥295,978 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (¥41,915) | ¥169,167 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (¥7,595) | ¥25,258 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (¥47,391) | ¥144,655 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥80,593 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (¥2,708) | ¥13,235 | - 80% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (¥6,770) | ¥4,060 | + 67% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 257,156 Kwacha (¥34,820) | ¥55,604 | - 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha (¥47,391) | ¥10,692 | + 343% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (¥408) | ¥778 | - 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,599 | - | |
| Clothes | + 342% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 342% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (¥4,062) | ¥6,849 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (¥35,205) | ¥4,780 | + 637% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha (¥5,416) | ¥8,249 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (¥9,568) | ¥12,511 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 46% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (¥1,321,452) | ¥2,585,890 | - 49% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (¥116) | ¥135 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (¥4,806) | ¥10,445 | - 54% | |
| Personal Care | - 57% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 57% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (¥271) | ¥1,225 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,626 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (¥2,734) | ¥6,148 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥812 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (¥152) | ¥655 | - 77% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥135) | ¥501 | - 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (¥144) | ¥170 | - 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (¥180) | ¥229 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (¥542) | ¥2,983 | - 82% | |
| Entertainment | - 56% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 56% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (¥2,578) | ¥3,633 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (¥542) | ¥3,657 | - 85% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥12,969 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (¥3,084) | ¥6,422 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (¥416) | ¥1,122 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (¥207) | ¥445 | - 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (¥163) | ¥556 | - 71% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (¥40,621) | ¥52,544 | - 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (¥11) | ¥40 | - 73% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (¥3,326) | ¥9,497 | - 65% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (¥275) | ¥525 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 763 prices entered by 140 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.13540
JPY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 37% cheaper than in Japan
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