Cost of living in Malawi compared to Mexico
Currency:
| Food | - 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 27% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (Mex$ 132) | Mex$ 316 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (Mex$ 133) | Mex$ 179 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (Mex$ 55) | Mex$ 71 | - 23% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (Mex$ 33) | Mex$ 29 | + 14% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (Mex$ 42) | Mex$ 50 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (Mex$ 26) | Mex$ 34 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (Mex$ 130) | Mex$ 90 | + 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (Mex$ 58) | Mex$ 47 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (Mex$ 40) | Mex$ 35 | + 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 22) | Mex$ 30 | - 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (Mex$ 238) | Mex$ 263 | - 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (Mex$ 49) | Mex$ 39 | + 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (Mex$ 12) | Mex$ 27 | - 57% | |
| Housing | + 21% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 21% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (Mex$ 25,890) | Mex$ 23,768 | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (Mex$ 12,600) | Mex$ 12,972 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (Mex$ 3,150) | Mex$ 1,287 | + 145% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (Mex$ 17,248) | Mex$ 15,346 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (Mex$ 8,368) | Mex$ 7,814 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (Mex$ 3,110) | Mex$ 754 | + 313% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 561) | Mex$ 424 | + 32% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (Mex$ 9,844) | Mex$ 5,926 | + 66% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (Mex$ 2,847) | Mex$ 2,281 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (Mex$ 87) | Mex$ 153 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | Mex$ 139 | - | |
| Clothes | - 43% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 43% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (Mex$ 415) | Mex$ 980 | - 58% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (Mex$ 297) | Mex$ 782 | - 62% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,555) | Mex$ 1,697 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,900) | Mex$ 1,414 | + 34% | |
| Transportation | - 3% | |||
| 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 | 19,826,400 Kwacha (Mex$ 222,491) | Mex$ 384,726 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (Mex$ 28) | Mex$ 24 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 673) | Mex$ 642 | + 5% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 33% cheaper than in Mexico | ||||
| Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (Mex$ 41) | Mex$ 107 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 67) | Mex$ 284 | - 76% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (Mex$ 362) | Mex$ 651 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (Mex$ 81) | Mex$ 94 | - 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (Mex$ 42) | Mex$ 68 | - 38% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 168) | Mex$ 81 | + 108% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 43 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 34) | Mex$ 44 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 202) | Mex$ 291 | - 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 48% more expensive than in Mexico | ||||
| Malawi | Mexico | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 898) | Mex$ 381 | + 136% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 337) | Mex$ 176 | + 91% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 337) | Mex$ 911 | - 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,122) | Mex$ 862 | + 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 90) | Mex$ 180 | - 50% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 67) | Mex$ 100 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 22) | Mex$ 58 | - 62% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 1,122) | Mex$ 11,177 | - 90% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 11) | Mex$ 2.42 | + 363% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 337) | Mex$ 899 | - 63% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (Mex$ 67) | Mex$ 82 | - 18% | |
| TOTAL | + 2% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 6,611 prices entered by 639 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.01122
MXN
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is about the same as in Mexico
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