Cost of living in Malawi compared to Russia
Currency:
Food | + 30% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 30% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha (руб 559) | руб 407 | + 37% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha (руб 364) | руб 285 | + 28% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha (руб 183) | руб 143 | + 28% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha (руб 94) | руб 65 | + 43% | |
12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha (руб 170) | руб 88 | + 93% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha (руб 71) | руб 131 | - 46% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha (руб 375) | руб 333 | + 13% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha (руб 152) | руб 106 | + 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha (руб 89) | руб 33 | + 165% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha (руб 54) | руб 65 | - 16% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha (руб 804) | руб 590 | + 36% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha (руб 123) | руб 108 | + 14% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha (руб 48) | руб 29 | + 67% | |
Housing | + 36% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 36% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha (руб 52,800) | руб 68,084 | - 22% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha (руб 29,387) | руб 38,645 | - 24% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha (руб 5,325) | руб 5,665 | - 6% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha (руб 33,227) | руб 32,475 | + 2% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | руб 23,298 | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha (руб 1,899) | руб 3,735 | - 49% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (руб 4,747) | руб 433 | + 997% | |
40” flat screen tv | 257,156 Kwacha (руб 24,413) | руб 24,143 | + 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha (руб 33,227) | руб 6,559 | + 407% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha (руб 286) | руб 428 | - 33% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 783 | - | |
Clothes | + 420% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 420% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha (руб 2,848) | руб 4,572 | - 38% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha (руб 24,683) | руб 2,530 | + 876% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha (руб 3,797) | руб 5,421 | - 30% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha (руб 6,708) | руб 6,829 | - 2% | |
Transportation | + 47% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 47% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha (руб 926,489) | руб 1,253,790 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha (руб 81) | руб 47 | + 74% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha (руб 3,370) | руб 1,623 | + 108% | |
Personal Care | - 15% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 15% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha (руб 190) | руб 469 | - 60% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | руб 573 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha (руб 1,917) | руб 1,309 | + 46% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | руб 308 | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha (руб 107) | руб 179 | - 40% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha (руб 95) | руб 214 | - 56% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha (руб 101) | руб 81 | + 25% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha (руб 126) | руб 101 | + 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha (руб 380) | руб 550 | - 31% | |
Entertainment | - 16% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 16% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha (руб 1,807) | руб 1,448 | + 25% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha (руб 380) | руб 584 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | руб 5,524 | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha (руб 2,162) | руб 3,359 | - 36% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha (руб 292) | руб 386 | - 24% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha (руб 145) | руб 169 | - 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha (руб 114) | руб 223 | - 49% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha (руб 28,480) | руб 35,423 | - 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha (руб 8) | руб 6 | + 24% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha (руб 2,332) | руб 3,605 | - 35% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha (руб 193) | руб 158 | + 22% | |
TOTAL | + 55% |

These prices were last updated on January 15, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.09493
RUB
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 55% more expensive than in Russia
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