Cost of living in Malawi compared to Nigeria
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 21% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (3,591 ₦) | 2,666 ₦ | + 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (2,245 ₦) | 3,057 ₦ | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (876 ₦) | 1,497 ₦ | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha (673 ₦) | 1,447 ₦ | - 53% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | 1,082 ₦ | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (334 ₦) | 1,151 ₦ | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha (3,591 ₦) | 1,257 ₦ | + 186% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (719 ₦) | 1,567 ₦ | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (420 ₦) | 1,213 ₦ | - 65% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha (359 ₦) | 511 ₦ | - 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (3,803 ₦) | 3,367 ₦ | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha (1,212 ₦) | 535 ₦ | + 127% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (180 ₦) | 568 ₦ | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 48% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 48% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (249,686 ₦) | 1,087,280 ₦ | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (138,970 ₦) | 480,899 ₦ | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (25,182 ₦) | 50,320 ₦ | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (157,126 ₦) | 441,651 ₦ | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | 270,421 ₦ | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (8,979 ₦) | 80,318 ₦ | - 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (22,447 ₦) | 17,872 ₦ | + 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (114,222 ₦) | 97,009 ₦ | + 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha (67,340 ₦) | 56,399 ₦ | + 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (4,040 ₦) | 6,433 ₦ | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 1,500 ₦ | - | |
| Clothes | + 522% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 522% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (13,468 ₦) | 8,462 ₦ | + 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (116,722 ₦) | 12,300 ₦ | + 849% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (22,447 ₦) | 28,695 ₦ | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (31,721 ₦) | 29,497 ₦ | + 8% | |
| Transportation | + 0% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is about the same as in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (4,381,271 ₦) | 8,000,000 ₦ | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha (898 ₦) | 256 ₦ | + 251% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (15,936 ₦) | 19,283 ₦ | - 17% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 29% cheaper than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (449 ₦) | 383 ₦ | + 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | 1,629 ₦ | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (9,064 ₦) | 19,489 ₦ | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | 2,247 ₦ | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (506 ₦) | 835 ₦ | - 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (449 ₦) | 1,660 ₦ | - 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (673 ₦) | 651 ₦ | + 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (673 ₦) | 663 ₦ | + 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (2,020 ₦) | 1,692 ₦ | + 19% | |
| Entertainment | + 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 11% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (13,468 ₦) | 8,546 ₦ | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (1,796 ₦) | 6,169 ₦ | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | 8,826 ₦ | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha (16,170 ₦) | 17,024 ₦ | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (1,796 ₦) | 3,233 ₦ | - 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (1,141 ₦) | 1,074 ₦ | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha (1,122 ₦) | 500 ₦ | + 124% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (134,679 ₦) | 137,406 ₦ | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (45 ₦) | 24 ₦ | + 89% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha (22,883 ₦) | 20,543 ₦ | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | 519 ₦ | - | |
| TOTAL | - 4% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 329 prices entered by 49 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.44893
NGN
/
MWK
*
Cost of living in Malawi is 4% cheaper than in Nigeria
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