Cost of living in Malawi compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 11,737 Kwacha ($7) | $22 | - 69% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 11,825 Kwacha ($7) | $12 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 4,899 Kwacha ($2.82) | $5.83 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 2,946 Kwacha ($1.70) | $1.10 | + 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 3,713 Kwacha ($2.14) | $5.27 | - 59% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 2,330 Kwacha ($1.34) | $4.85 | - 72% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 11,543 Kwacha ($7) | $7 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 5,172 Kwacha ($2.98) | $4.27 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 3,545 Kwacha ($2.04) | $2.31 | - 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 2,000 Kwacha ($1.15) | $3.56 | - 68% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 21,228 Kwacha ($12) | $18 | - 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 4,386 Kwacha ($2.53) | $2.92 | - 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 1,050 Kwacha ($0.61) | $3.15 | - 81% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 2,307,080 Kwacha ($1,330) | $3,239 | - 59% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,122,830 Kwacha ($647) | $2,444 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 280,708 Kwacha ($162) | $228 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 1,536,980 Kwacha ($886) | $2,252 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 745,661 Kwacha ($430) | $1,652 | - 74% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 277,169 Kwacha ($160) | $163 | - 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 50,000 Kwacha ($29) | $62 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 877,169 Kwacha ($506) | $252 | + 100% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 253,698 Kwacha ($146) | $144 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 7,772 Kwacha ($4.48) | $15 | - 69% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $34 | - | |
| Clothes | - 56% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 37,009 Kwacha ($21) | $58 | - 63% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 26,489 Kwacha ($15) | $51 | - 70% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 138,585 Kwacha ($80) | $105 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 169,292 Kwacha ($98) | $142 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 19,826,400 Kwacha ($11,427) | $30,848 | - 63% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 2,487 Kwacha ($1.43) | $0.95 | + 52% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 60,000 Kwacha ($35) | $86 | - 60% | |
| Personal Care | - 69% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 69% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 3,649 Kwacha ($2.10) | $9 | - 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 6,000 Kwacha ($3.46) | $21 | - 83% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 32,283 Kwacha ($19) | $164 | - 89% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 7,228 Kwacha ($4.17) | $9 | - 54% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 3,750 Kwacha ($2.16) | $5.28 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 15,000 Kwacha ($9) | $7 | + 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 3,000 Kwacha ($1.73) | $5.13 | - 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 3,000 Kwacha ($1.73) | $2.34 | - 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 18,000 Kwacha ($10) | $31 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 80,000 Kwacha ($46) | $61 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 30,000 Kwacha ($17) | $30 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 30,000 Kwacha ($17) | $226 | - 92% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 100,000 Kwacha ($58) | $103 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 8,000 Kwacha ($4.61) | $15 | - 69% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 6,000 Kwacha ($3.46) | $5.90 | - 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 2,000 Kwacha ($1.15) | $8 | - 85% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 100,000 Kwacha ($58) | $482 | - 88% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,000 Kwacha ($0.58) | $0.53 | + 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 30,000 Kwacha ($17) | $72 | - 76% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,000 Kwacha ($3.46) | $11 | - 70% | |
| TOTAL | - 52% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,605 prices entered by 1,986 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00058
USD
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 52% cheaper than in United States
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