Cost of living in Malawi compared to Pakistan
Currency:
Food | + 67% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 67% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (₨1,881) | ₨831 | + 126% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (₨1,895) | ₨1,067 | + 78% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (₨785) | ₨486 | + 62% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (₨472) | ₨226 | + 109% | |
12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (₨595) | ₨323 | + 84% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (₨373) | ₨171 | + 119% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (₨1,850) | ₨945 | + 96% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (₨829) | ₨292 | + 184% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (₨568) | ₨97 | + 486% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (₨321) | ₨630 | - 49% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (₨3,402) | ₨2,672 | + 27% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (₨703) | ₨253 | + 177% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (₨168) | ₨150 | + 13% | |
Housing | + 145% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 145% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (₨369,729) | ₨114,506 | + 223% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (₨179,943) | ₨72,564 | + 148% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (₨44,986) | ₨24,768 | + 82% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (₨246,314) | ₨81,992 | + 200% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (₨119,499) | ₨49,088 | + 143% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (₨44,419) | ₨20,612 | + 115% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨8,013) | ₨2,457 | + 226% | |
40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (₨140,574) | ₨66,138 | + 113% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (₨40,657) | ₨30,635 | + 33% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (₨1,245) | ₨1,176 | + 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨1,814 | - | |
Clothes | - 8% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 8% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (₨5,931) | ₨3,685 | + 61% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (₨4,245) | ₨9,758 | - 56% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (₨22,209) | ₨12,486 | + 78% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (₨27,130) | ₨12,018 | + 126% | |
Transportation | + 83% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 83% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha (₨3,177,351) | ₨3,213,340 | - 1% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (₨399) | ₨272 | + 46% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (₨9,616) | ₨3,201 | + 200% | |
Personal Care | + 71% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 71% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (₨585) | ₨219 | + 167% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (₨962) | ₨697 | + 38% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (₨5,174) | ₨3,678 | + 41% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (₨1,158) | ₨812 | + 43% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (₨601) | ₨591 | + 2% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (₨2,404) | ₨560 | + 330% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (₨481) | ₨409 | + 18% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (₨481) | ₨244 | + 97% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (₨2,885) | ₨629 | + 358% | |
Entertainment | - 13% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 13% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (₨12,821) | ₨3,554 | + 261% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (₨4,808) | ₨1,815 | + 165% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨4,808) | ₨6,844 | - 30% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (₨16,026) | ₨7,013 | + 129% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (₨1,282) | ₨2,877 | - 55% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (₨962) | ₨562 | + 71% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (₨321) | ₨1,033 | - 69% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (₨16,026) | ₨149,999 | - 89% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨160) | ₨255 | - 37% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (₨4,808) | ₨4,456 | + 8% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (₨962) | ₨574 | + 68% | |
TOTAL | + 52% |

These prices were last updated on February 07, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.16026
PKR
/
MWK
*
Cost of living in Malawi is 52% more expensive than in Pakistan
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