Cost of living in Malawi compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 25% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (¥975) | ¥1,035 | - 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (¥982) | ¥817 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (¥407) | ¥618 | - 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (¥245) | ¥237 | + 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (¥308) | ¥335 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (¥193) | ¥439 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (¥959) | ¥1,195 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (¥429) | ¥822 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (¥294) | ¥509 | - 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (¥166) | ¥312 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (¥1,763) | ¥1,267 | + 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (¥364) | ¥276 | + 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (¥87) | ¥293 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 28% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (¥191,568) | ¥365,082 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (¥93,234) | ¥197,811 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (¥23,309) | ¥19,132 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (¥127,623) | ¥145,654 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (¥61,916) | ¥106,059 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (¥23,015) | ¥8,349 | + 176% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (¥4,152) | ¥4,448 | - 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (¥72,836) | ¥74,559 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (¥21,066) | ¥25,414 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (¥645) | ¥1,338 | - 52% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥2,815 | - | |
| Clothes | - 44% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (¥3,073) | ¥9,315 | - 67% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (¥2,199) | ¥5,103 | - 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (¥11,507) | ¥9,892 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (¥14,057) | ¥12,189 | + 15% | |
| Transportation | - 30% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha (¥1,646,280) | ¥3,060,780 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (¥207) | ¥169 | + 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (¥4,982) | ¥8,198 | - 39% | |
| Personal Care | - 47% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (¥303) | ¥2,133 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (¥498) | ¥2,551 | - 80% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (¥2,681) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (¥600) | ¥1,337 | - 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (¥311) | ¥930 | - 67% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (¥1,246) | ¥622 | + 100% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (¥249) | ¥224 | + 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (¥249) | ¥188 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (¥1,495) | ¥4,604 | - 68% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (¥6,643) | ¥4,908 | + 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (¥2,491) | ¥3,881 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (¥2,491) | ¥7,212 | - 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (¥8,303) | ¥8,269 | + 0% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (¥664) | ¥1,244 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (¥498) | ¥547 | - 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (¥166) | ¥674 | - 75% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (¥8,303) | ¥51,659 | - 84% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥83) | ¥52 | + 59% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (¥2,491) | ¥9,530 | - 74% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (¥498) | ¥613 | - 19% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 430 prices entered by 92 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.08303
JPY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 25% cheaper than in Japan
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