Cost of living in Malawi compared to Mexico
Currency:
Food | - 37% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 37% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 138) | Mex$ 267 | - 48% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 86) | Mex$ 148 | - 42% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 67 | - 50% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 26 | - 0% | |
12 eggs, large | - | Mex$ 45 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (Mex$ 13) | Mex$ 26 | - 50% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 138) | Mex$ 84 | + 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 48 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (Mex$ 16) | Mex$ 32 | - 49% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha (Mex$ 14) | Mex$ 28 | - 51% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (Mex$ 146) | Mex$ 257 | - 43% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha (Mex$ 47) | Mex$ 34 | + 36% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (Mex$ 7) | Mex$ 24 | - 71% | |
Housing | - 19% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 19% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (Mex$ 9,585) | Mex$ 20,891 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (Mex$ 5,335) | Mex$ 10,405 | - 49% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (Mex$ 967) | Mex$ 1,045 | - 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 6,032) | Mex$ 12,954 | - 53% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | Mex$ 6,806 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 345) | Mex$ 710 | - 51% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 862) | Mex$ 398 | + 116% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (Mex$ 4,385) | Mex$ 6,725 | - 35% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 2,585) | Mex$ 2,526 | + 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 155) | Mex$ 116 | + 33% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | Mex$ 124 | - | |
Clothes | + 282% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 282% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 517) | Mex$ 969 | - 47% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 4,481) | Mex$ 712 | + 529% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 862) | Mex$ 1,696 | - 49% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,218) | Mex$ 1,261 | - 3% | |
Transportation | + 1% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is about the same as in Mexico | ||||
Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (Mex$ 168,188) | Mex$ 386,961 | - 57% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 23 | + 52% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (Mex$ 612) | Mex$ 543 | + 13% | |
Personal Care | - 47% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 47% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 17) | Mex$ 92 | - 81% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | Mex$ 221 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (Mex$ 348) | Mex$ 589 | - 41% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | Mex$ 76 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (Mex$ 19) | Mex$ 57 | - 66% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 17) | Mex$ 67 | - 74% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 38 | - 32% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 34 | - 24% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (Mex$ 78) | Mex$ 246 | - 68% | |
Entertainment | - 20% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 20% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 517) | Mex$ 363 | + 43% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 156 | - 56% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | Mex$ 724 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha (Mex$ 621) | Mex$ 768 | - 19% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 69) | Mex$ 164 | - 58% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (Mex$ 44) | Mex$ 80 | - 45% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha (Mex$ 43) | Mex$ 45 | - 4% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 5,170) | Mex$ 11,670 | - 56% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (Mex$ 1.72) | Mex$ 2.24 | - 23% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha (Mex$ 878) | Mex$ 883 | - 1% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | Mex$ 78 | - | |
TOTAL | - 3% |

These prices were last updated on May 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.01723
MXN
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is about the same as in Mexico
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