Cost of living in Malawi compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 5,885 Kwacha ($8) | $15 | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 3,836 Kwacha ($5.22) | $8 | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,926 Kwacha ($2.62) | $4.34 | - 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha ($1.34) | $0.88 | + 53% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,787 Kwacha ($2.43) | $2.97 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha ($1.01) | $4.03 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha ($5.37) | $6 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha ($2.18) | $3.35 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha ($1.27) | $1.76 | - 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha ($0.78) | $3.16 | - 75% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha ($12) | $14 | - 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,301 Kwacha ($1.77) | $1.94 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 506 Kwacha ($0.69) | $2.04 | - 66% | |
| Housing | - 43% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha ($757) | $2,264 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha ($421) | $1,624 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha ($76) | $177 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha ($476) | $1,624 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,157 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha ($27) | $109 | - 75% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha ($68) | $47 | + 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 320,000 Kwacha ($435) | $294 | + 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 350,000 Kwacha ($476) | $118 | + 305% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,012 Kwacha ($4.10) | $11 | - 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $22 | - | |
| Clothes | + 415% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 415% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha ($41) | $49 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha ($354) | $45 | + 690% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 40,000 Kwacha ($54) | $86 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha ($96) | $112 | - 14% | |
| 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 ($13,278) | $23,010 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 858 Kwacha ($1.17) | $0.75 | + 56% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha ($48) | $81 | - 40% | |
| Personal Care | - 60% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 2,000 Kwacha ($2.72) | $7 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $20 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha ($27) | $110 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $7 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,125 Kwacha ($1.53) | $3.56 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha ($1.36) | $5.11 | - 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,066 Kwacha ($1.45) | $3.57 | - 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,329 Kwacha ($1.81) | $1.83 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,000 Kwacha ($5.44) | $21 | - 75% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 19,039 Kwacha ($26) | $45 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha ($5.44) | $25 | - 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $222 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,778 Kwacha ($31) | $74 | - 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,072 Kwacha ($4.18) | $12 | - 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 1,527 Kwacha ($2.08) | $4.82 | - 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,203 Kwacha ($1.64) | $5.78 | - 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha ($408) | $397 | + 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 80 Kwacha ($0.11) | $0.19 | - 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 24,563 Kwacha ($33) | $53 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha ($2.77) | $8 | - 66% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 43,182 prices entered by 5,539 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 01, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00136
USD
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 25% cheaper than in United States
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