Cost of living in Malawi compared to Nigeria
Currency:
| Food | + 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 69% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (10,886 ₦) | 6,197 ₦ | + 76% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (10,968 ₦) | 4,250 ₦ | + 158% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (4,544 ₦) | 3,207 ₦ | + 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (2,732 ₦) | 1,143 ₦ | + 139% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (3,444 ₦) | 2,479 ₦ | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (2,161 ₦) | 1,495 ₦ | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (10,707 ₦) | 5,933 ₦ | + 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (4,798 ₦) | 3,488 ₦ | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (3,288 ₦) | 2,733 ₦ | + 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (1,855 ₦) | 1,037 ₦ | + 79% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (19,690 ₦) | 9,593 ₦ | + 105% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (4,068 ₦) | 1,084 ₦ | + 275% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (974 ₦) | 1,323 ₦ | - 26% | |
| Housing | + 19% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 19% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (2,139,932 ₦) | 2,222,680 ₦ | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (1,041,481 ₦) | 1,328,290 ₦ | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (260,371 ₦) | 153,894 ₦ | + 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (1,425,626 ₦) | 844,148 ₦ | + 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (691,638 ₦) | 754,176 ₦ | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (257,088 ₦) | 240,561 ₦ | + 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (46,377 ₦) | 28,675 ₦ | + 62% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (813,618 ₦) | 387,079 ₦ | + 110% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (235,318 ₦) | 126,450 ₦ | + 86% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (7,209 ₦) | 2,193 ₦ | + 229% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | 2,985 ₦ | - | |
| Clothes | + 115% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 115% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (34,328 ₦) | 17,024 ₦ | + 102% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (24,569 ₦) | 15,682 ₦ | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (128,544 ₦) | 45,968 ₦ | + 180% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (157,027 ₦) | 50,000 ₦ | + 214% | |
| Transportation | + 74% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 74% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha (18,389,975 ₦) | 5,000,000 ₦ | + 268% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (2,307 ₦) | 1,034 ₦ | + 123% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (55,653 ₦) | 34,491 ₦ | + 61% | |
| Personal Care | + 94% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 94% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (3,384 ₦) | 4,044 ₦ | - 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (5,565 ₦) | 1,768 ₦ | + 215% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (29,944 ₦) | 17,619 ₦ | + 70% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (6,705 ₦) | 4,474 ₦ | + 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (3,478 ₦) | 1,749 ₦ | + 99% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (13,913 ₦) | 3,834 ₦ | + 263% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (2,783 ₦) | 2,923 ₦ | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (2,783 ₦) | 1,338 ₦ | + 108% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (16,696 ₦) | 3,631 ₦ | + 360% | |
| Entertainment | + 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 42% more expensive than in Nigeria | ||||
| Malawi | Nigeria | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (74,204 ₦) | 43,872 ₦ | + 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (27,826 ₦) | 11,069 ₦ | + 151% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (27,826 ₦) | 15,224 ₦ | + 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (92,755 ₦) | 42,055 ₦ | + 121% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (7,420 ₦) | 4,541 ₦ | + 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (5,565 ₦) | 3,331 ₦ | + 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (1,855 ₦) | 1,421 ₦ | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (92,755 ₦) | 298,218 ₦ | - 69% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (928 ₦) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (27,826 ₦) | 34,159 ₦ | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (5,565 ₦) | 2,500 ₦ | + 123% | |
| TOTAL | + 47% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 327 prices entered by 31 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 29, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.928
NGN
/
MWK
*
Cost of living in Malawi is 47% more expensive than in Nigeria
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