Cost of living in Malawi compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,492 Kwacha (¥834) | ¥1,041 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,405 Kwacha (¥517) | ¥713 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,100 Kwacha (¥167) | ¥467 | - 64% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 915 Kwacha (¥139) | ¥215 | - 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,276 Kwacha (¥194) | ¥287 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 928 Kwacha (¥141) | ¥484 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 4,035 Kwacha (¥613) | ¥1,246 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 2,596 Kwacha (¥394) | ¥610 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 541 Kwacha (¥82) | ¥381 | - 78% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 689 Kwacha (¥105) | ¥267 | - 61% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 9,034 Kwacha (¥1,371) | ¥1,801 | - 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,693 Kwacha (¥257) | ¥223 | + 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 491 Kwacha (¥74) | ¥242 | - 69% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 593,262 Kwacha (¥90,063) | ¥197,391 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 346,431 Kwacha (¥52,592) | ¥112,128 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (¥8,516) | ¥15,296 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 442,050 Kwacha (¥67,107) | ¥119,023 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 238,253 Kwacha (¥36,169) | ¥92,673 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 27,062 Kwacha (¥4,108) | ¥11,742 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 54,636 Kwacha (¥8,294) | ¥3,714 | + 123% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 379,046 Kwacha (¥57,543) | ¥37,069 | + 55% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 69,630 Kwacha (¥10,570) | ¥10,892 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (¥457) | ¥749 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,906 | - | |
| Clothes | + 433% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 433% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (¥4,554) | ¥6,528 | - 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (¥39,470) | ¥4,644 | + 750% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 52,912 Kwacha (¥8,033) | ¥7,956 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (¥10,727) | ¥13,013 | - 18% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (¥1,481,561) | ¥2,936,380 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (¥130) | ¥143 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 27,238 Kwacha (¥4,135) | ¥9,633 | - 57% | |
| Personal Care | - 59% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 59% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (¥304) | ¥1,406 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥929 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (¥3,065) | ¥8,740 | - 65% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥554 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (¥171) | ¥669 | - 74% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥152) | ¥525 | - 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (¥162) | ¥218 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (¥202) | ¥251 | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (¥607) | ¥2,654 | - 77% | |
| Entertainment | - 44% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (¥2,890) | ¥3,633 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (¥607) | ¥3,165 | - 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥15,347 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (¥3,458) | ¥6,734 | - 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (¥466) | ¥809 | - 42% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (¥232) | ¥511 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (¥183) | ¥509 | - 64% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (¥45,543) | ¥46,875 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (¥12) | ¥26 | - 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (¥3,729) | ¥8,766 | - 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (¥309) | ¥477 | - 35% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,414 prices entered by 206 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 21, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.15181
JPY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 24% cheaper than in Japan
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