Cost of living in Malawi compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha ($7) | $15 | - 51% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha ($4.84) | $8 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha ($2.43) | $4.26 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha ($1.24) | $0.88 | + 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha ($2.25) | $2.87 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha ($0.94) | $4.19 | - 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha ($4.98) | $6 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha ($2.02) | $3.44 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha ($1.18) | $1.76 | - 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha ($0.72) | $3.10 | - 77% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha ($11) | $14 | - 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha ($1.64) | $1.99 | - 17% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha ($0.64) | $2.18 | - 71% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha ($702) | $2,194 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha ($391) | $1,580 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha ($71) | $180 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha ($442) | $1,545 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,143 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha ($25) | $113 | - 78% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha ($63) | $52 | + 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 257,156 Kwacha ($324) | $271 | + 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha ($442) | $126 | + 250% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha ($3.80) | $11 | - 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $22 | - | |
| Clothes | + 378% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 378% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha ($38) | $47 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha ($328) | $42 | + 673% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha ($50) | $86 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha ($89) | $107 | - 17% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha ($12,315) | $23,507 | - 48% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha ($1.08) | $0.66 | + 64% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha ($45) | $74 | - 39% | |
| Personal Care | - 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 61% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha ($2.52) | $7 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $16 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha ($25) | $111 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $7 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha ($1.42) | $3.45 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha ($1.26) | $4.84 | - 74% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha ($1.35) | $3.68 | - 63% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha ($1.68) | $1.82 | - 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha ($5.05) | $22 | - 77% | |
| Entertainment | - 52% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha ($24) | $46 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha ($5.05) | $25 | - 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $197 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha ($29) | $78 | - 63% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha ($3.88) | $12 | - 68% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha ($1.93) | $4.93 | - 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha ($1.52) | $5.65 | - 73% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha ($379) | $425 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha ($0.10) | $0.25 | - 59% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha ($31) | $49 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha ($2.56) | $8 | - 69% | |
| TOTAL | - 32% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 32,067 prices entered by 4,188 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00126
USD
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 32% cheaper than in United States
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