Cost of living in Malawi compared to Russia
Currency:
Food | + 45% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Malawi is 45% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Malawi | Russia | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha (руб 653) | руб 516 | + 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha (руб 658) | руб 359 | + 83% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha (руб 273) | руб 219 | + 24% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha (руб 164) | руб 86 | + 91% | |
12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha (руб 207) | руб 144 | + 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha (руб 130) | руб 214 | - 40% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha (руб 642) | руб 433 | + 48% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha (руб 288) | руб 135 | + 113% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha (руб 197) | руб 53 | + 270% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha (руб 111) | руб 90 | + 23% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha (руб 1,181) | руб 687 | + 72% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha (руб 244) | руб 166 | + 47% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha (руб 58) | руб 40 | + 45% | |
Housing | + 49% | |||
Housing in Malawi is 49% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Malawi | Russia | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha (руб 128,340) | руб 104,544 | + 23% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha (руб 62,462) | руб 60,730 | + 3% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha (руб 15,615) | руб 8,180 | + 91% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha (руб 85,500) | руб 52,770 | + 62% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha (руб 41,480) | руб 32,676 | + 27% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha (руб 15,419) | руб 5,873 | + 163% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha (руб 2,781) | руб 841 | + 231% | |
40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha (руб 48,796) | руб 23,070 | + 112% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha (руб 14,113) | руб 8,157 | + 73% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha (руб 432) | руб 547 | - 21% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | руб 1,019 | - | |
Clothes | - 44% | |||
Clothes in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in Russia | ||||
Malawi | Russia | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha (руб 2,059) | руб 6,257 | - 67% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha (руб 1,474) | руб 3,158 | - 53% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha (руб 7,709) | руб 8,294 | - 7% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha (руб 9,418) | руб 7,671 | + 23% | |
Transportation | + 28% | |||
Transportation in Malawi is 28% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Malawi | Russia | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha (руб 1,102,920) | руб 2,623,330 | - 58% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha (руб 138) | руб 55 | + 151% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha (руб 3,338) | руб 1,858 | + 80% | |
Personal Care | + 18% | |||
Personal Care in Malawi is 18% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Malawi | Russia | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha (руб 203) | руб 307 | - 34% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha (руб 334) | руб 519 | - 36% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha (руб 1,796) | руб 1,869 | - 4% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha (руб 402) | руб 337 | + 19% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha (руб 209) | руб 260 | - 20% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha (руб 834) | руб 223 | + 274% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha (руб 167) | руб 126 | + 32% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha (руб 167) | руб 138 | + 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha (руб 1,001) | руб 526 | + 90% | |
Entertainment | + 99% | |||
Entertainment in Malawi is 99% more expensive than in Russia | ||||
Malawi | Russia | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha (руб 4,450) | руб 1,898 | + 134% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha (руб 1,669) | руб 670 | + 149% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha (руб 1,669) | руб 5,618 | - 70% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha (руб 5,563) | руб 3,349 | + 66% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha (руб 445) | руб 487 | - 9% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha (руб 334) | руб 191 | + 75% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha (руб 111) | руб 249 | - 55% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha (руб 5,563) | руб 58,430 | - 90% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha (руб 56) | руб 3.22 | + 1627% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha (руб 1,669) | руб 3,415 | - 51% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha (руб 334) | руб 206 | + 62% | |
TOTAL | + 41% |

These prices were last updated on February 08, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.05563
RUB
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 41% more expensive than in Russia
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