Cost of living in Malawi compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 56% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha ($8) | $19 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha ($4.87) | $10 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha ($1.90) | $5.78 | - 67% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 1,500 Kwacha ($1.46) | $1.08 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | $4.94 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha ($0.72) | $4.68 | - 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 8,000 Kwacha ($8) | $7 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha ($1.56) | $4.68 | - 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha ($0.91) | $2.51 | - 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 800 Kwacha ($0.78) | $3.10 | - 75% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha ($8) | $16 | - 48% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 2,700 Kwacha ($2.63) | $2.76 | - 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha ($0.39) | $2.99 | - 87% | |
| Housing | - 64% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha ($542) | $2,839 | - 81% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha ($302) | $2,147 | - 86% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha ($55) | $222 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha ($341) | $1,889 | - 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,444 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha ($19) | $146 | - 87% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha ($49) | $64 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha ($248) | $295 | - 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 150,000 Kwacha ($146) | $134 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha ($9) | $13 | - 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $31 | - | |
| Clothes | + 243% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 243% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha ($29) | $54 | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha ($253) | $45 | + 464% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha ($49) | $93 | - 48% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha ($69) | $119 | - 42% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 43% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 9,759,340 Kwacha ($9,508) | $27,977 | - 66% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,000 Kwacha ($1.95) | $1.05 | + 86% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha ($35) | $79 | - 56% | |
| Personal Care | - 72% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 72% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha ($0.97) | $8 | - 88% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $21 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha ($20) | $139 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $8 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha ($1.10) | $4.80 | - 77% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha ($0.97) | $6 | - 84% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha ($1.46) | $4.78 | - 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha ($1.46) | $2.24 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha ($4.38) | $27 | - 84% | |
| Entertainment | - 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha ($29) | $55 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha ($3.90) | $28 | - 86% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $203 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 36,018 Kwacha ($35) | $89 | - 60% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha ($3.90) | $14 | - 72% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha ($2.48) | $5.19 | - 52% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,500 Kwacha ($2.44) | $6 | - 61% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha ($292) | $556 | - 47% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha ($0.10) | $0.20 | - 51% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 50,973 Kwacha ($50) | $54 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | - | $10 | - | |
| TOTAL | - 44% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 21,835 prices entered by 2,810 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00097
USD
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in United States
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