Cost of living in Malawi compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 35% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (¥1,095) | ¥1,025 | + 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (¥684) | ¥723 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (¥267) | ¥519 | - 49% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha (¥205) | ¥197 | + 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | ¥316 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (¥102) | ¥629 | - 84% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha (¥1,095) | ¥962 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (¥219) | ¥902 | - 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (¥128) | ¥574 | - 78% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha (¥109) | ¥285 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (¥1,159) | ¥1,208 | - 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha (¥369) | ¥184 | + 101% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (¥55) | ¥206 | - 73% | |
| Housing | - 51% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 51% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (¥76,102) | ¥326,267 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (¥42,357) | ¥171,772 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (¥7,675) | ¥28,488 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (¥47,891) | ¥157,603 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ¥82,713 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (¥2,737) | ¥24,082 | - 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (¥6,842) | ¥4,699 | + 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (¥34,814) | ¥47,482 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha (¥20,525) | ¥32,093 | - 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (¥1,231) | ¥1,313 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ¥1,878 | - | |
| Clothes | + 327% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 327% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (¥4,105) | ¥6,136 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (¥35,576) | ¥5,199 | + 584% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (¥6,842) | ¥8,989 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (¥9,668) | ¥13,588 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 36% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (¥1,335,376) | ¥2,700,660 | - 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha (¥274) | ¥165 | + 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (¥4,857) | ¥10,143 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 65% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥137) | ¥2,497 | - 95% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,967 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (¥2,763) | ¥5,380 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ¥650 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (¥154) | ¥938 | - 84% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (¥137) | ¥702 | - 81% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (¥205) | ¥218 | - 6% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (¥205) | ¥216 | - 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (¥616) | ¥3,927 | - 84% | |
| Entertainment | - 43% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malawi | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (¥4,105) | ¥4,141 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (¥547) | ¥3,600 | - 85% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ¥4,000 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha (¥4,928) | ¥5,993 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (¥547) | ¥984 | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (¥348) | ¥472 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha (¥342) | ¥575 | - 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (¥41,049) | ¥101,122 | - 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (¥14) | ¥52 | - 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha (¥6,975) | ¥9,280 | - 25% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ¥592 | - | |
| TOTAL | - 30% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 766 prices entered by 105 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.13683
JPY
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 30% cheaper than in Japan
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