Cost of living in Malawi compared to Pakistan
Currency:
Food | + 64% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 64% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (₨1,899) | ₨519 | + 265% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (₨1,187) | ₨742 | + 60% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (₨463) | ₨215 | + 115% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (₨234) | ₨119 | + 96% | |
12 eggs, large | - | ₨168 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (₨176) | ₨102 | + 74% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (₨936) | ₨658 | + 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (₨380) | ₨194 | + 96% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (₨222) | ₨51 | + 332% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (₨136) | ₨220 | - 38% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (₨2,010) | ₨2,141 | - 6% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,247 Kwacha (₨296) | ₨170 | + 74% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (₨95) | ₨77 | + 23% | |
Housing | + 131% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 131% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (₨131,991) | ₨65,360 | + 102% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (₨73,463) | ₨44,450 | + 65% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (₨13,312) | ₨14,918 | - 11% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (₨83,061) | ₨47,849 | + 74% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨35,800 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (₨4,746) | ₨10,123 | - 53% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 74,691 Kwacha (₨17,725) | ₨2,270 | + 681% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (₨60,381) | ₨53,975 | + 12% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 251,235 Kwacha (₨59,622) | ₨18,356 | + 225% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (₨2,136) | ₨851 | + 151% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨797 | - | |
Clothes | + 463% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 463% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨7,119) | ₨4,868 | + 46% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (₨61,702) | ₨7,670 | + 704% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨11,866) | ₨17,357 | - 32% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (₨16,769) | ₨8,106 | + 107% | |
Transportation | + 14% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 14% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (₨2,316,049) | ₨5,697,890 | - 59% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 900 Kwacha (₨214) | ₨146 | + 47% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (₨8,424) | ₨4,073 | + 107% | |
Personal Care | + 1% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is about the same as in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨237) | ₨237 | + 0% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨572 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (₨4,792) | ₨1,768 | + 171% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨1,267 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (₨267) | ₨575 | - 54% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨237) | ₨371 | - 36% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (₨356) | ₨352 | + 1% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (₨356) | ₨116 | + 206% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (₨1,068) | ₨681 | + 57% | |
Entertainment | + 70% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 70% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (₨7,119) | ₨2,016 | + 253% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (₨949) | ₨1,908 | - 50% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨2,708 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42,791 Kwacha (₨10,155) | ₨4,907 | + 107% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (₨949) | ₨1,025 | - 7% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (₨603) | ₨469 | + 29% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,500 Kwacha (₨356) | ₨513 | - 31% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (₨71,195) | ₨107,118 | - 34% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (₨24) | ₨4.02 | + 491% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Kwacha (₨14,239) | ₨4,729 | + 201% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (₨482) | ₨237 | + 103% | |
TOTAL | + 91% |

These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.23732
PKR
/
MWK
*
Cost of living in Malawi is 91% more expensive than in Pakistan
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