Cost of living in Malawi compared to Pakistan
Currency:
Food | + 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 31% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha (₨2,221) | ₨972 | + 128% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha (₨1,388) | ₨1,004 | + 38% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha (₨541) | ₨365 | + 48% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha (₨416) | ₨175 | + 138% | |
12 eggs, large | - | ₨282 | - | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (₨206) | ₨255 | - 19% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha (₨2,221) | ₨1,139 | + 95% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (₨445) | ₨290 | + 53% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (₨260) | ₨117 | + 122% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha (₨222) | ₨549 | - 60% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (₨2,351) | ₨2,784 | - 16% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha (₨749) | ₨289 | + 160% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha (₨111) | ₨191 | - 42% | |
Housing | + 44% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 44% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (₨154,383) | ₨115,670 | + 33% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (₨85,926) | ₨70,950 | + 21% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (₨15,570) | ₨25,995 | - 40% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (₨97,152) | ₨59,502 | + 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | ₨50,821 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (₨5,552) | ₨20,152 | - 72% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨13,879) | ₨2,097 | + 562% | |
40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha (₨70,624) | ₨71,636 | - 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha (₨41,637) | ₨23,262 | + 79% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha (₨2,498) | ₨1,718 | + 45% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | ₨1,977 | - | |
Clothes | + 733% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 733% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (₨8,327) | ₨3,426 | + 143% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (₨72,170) | ₨6,254 | + 1054% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha (₨13,879) | ₨13,199 | + 5% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (₨19,614) | ₨8,569 | + 129% | |
Transportation | + 54% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 54% 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 (₨2,708,977) | ₨4,456,060 | - 39% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha (₨555) | ₨270 | + 106% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (₨9,853) | ₨4,626 | + 113% | |
Personal Care | - 21% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 21% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨278) | ₨1,015 | - 73% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ₨1,391 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (₨5,605) | ₨3,667 | + 53% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | ₨521 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha (₨313) | ₨922 | - 66% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (₨278) | ₨736 | - 62% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha (₨416) | ₨249 | + 67% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha (₨416) | ₨242 | + 72% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha (₨1,249) | ₨860 | + 45% | |
Entertainment | + 51% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 51% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
Malawi | Pakistan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha (₨8,327) | ₨3,545 | + 135% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (₨1,110) | ₨2,089 | - 47% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | ₨2,959 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha (₨9,998) | ₨7,109 | + 41% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha (₨1,110) | ₨880 | + 26% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha (₨705) | ₨669 | + 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha (₨694) | ₨659 | + 5% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (₨83,273) | ₨119,622 | - 30% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha (₨28) | ₨3.79 | + 632% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha (₨14,149) | ₨3,764 | + 276% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | ₨415 | - | |
TOTAL | + 74% |

These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.27758
PKR
/
MWK
*
Cost of living in Malawi is 74% more expensive than in Pakistan
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