Cost of living in Malawi compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 52% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malawi is 52% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 8,000 Kwacha ($10) | $17 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 5,000 Kwacha ($6) | $9 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,951 Kwacha ($2.39) | $5.07 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 986 Kwacha ($1.21) | $0.99 | + 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | $3.33 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 743 Kwacha ($0.91) | $4.43 | - 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 3,946 Kwacha ($4.84) | $7 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 1,602 Kwacha ($1.96) | $3.93 | - 50% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 935 Kwacha ($1.15) | $1.92 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 571 Kwacha ($0.70) | $3.28 | - 79% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 8,470 Kwacha ($10) | $16 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 1,247 Kwacha ($1.53) | $2.26 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 Kwacha ($0.49) | $2.46 | - 80% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Malawi is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 556,180 Kwacha ($682) | $2,513 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 309,557 Kwacha ($379) | $1,960 | - 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 56,093 Kwacha ($69) | $206 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 350,000 Kwacha ($429) | $1,778 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,342 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 20,000 Kwacha ($25) | $139 | - 82% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 74,691 Kwacha ($92) | $56 | + 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 254,431 Kwacha ($312) | $300 | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 251,235 Kwacha ($308) | $134 | + 130% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 9,000 Kwacha ($11) | $12 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $26 | - | |
| Clothes | + 315% | |||
| Clothes in Malawi is 315% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 30,000 Kwacha ($37) | $51 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 260,000 Kwacha ($319) | $46 | + 590% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 Kwacha ($61) | $92 | - 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 70,660 Kwacha ($87) | $120 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Malawi is 39% 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 ($11,960) | $25,474 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 900 Kwacha ($1.10) | $1.06 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 35,497 Kwacha ($44) | $77 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | - 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Malawi is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,000 Kwacha ($1.23) | $7 | - 84% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 20,191 Kwacha ($25) | $125 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $7 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,127 Kwacha ($1.38) | $4.17 | - 67% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 1,000 Kwacha ($1.23) | $5.50 | - 78% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,500 Kwacha ($1.84) | $4.18 | - 56% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 1,500 Kwacha ($1.84) | $2.05 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 4,500 Kwacha ($5.51) | $25 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Malawi is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Malawi | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 30,000 Kwacha ($37) | $49 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 4,000 Kwacha ($4.90) | $27 | - 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $196 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 42,791 Kwacha ($52) | $83 | - 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 4,000 Kwacha ($4.90) | $13 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 2,541 Kwacha ($3.11) | $5.19 | - 40% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,500 Kwacha ($1.84) | $6 | - 71% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 300,000 Kwacha ($368) | $499 | - 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 100 Kwacha ($0.12) | $0.17 | - 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 60,000 Kwacha ($74) | $53 | + 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,032 Kwacha ($2.49) | $9 | - 73% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,138 prices entered by 2,616 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00123
USD
/
MWK
Cost of living in Malawi is 31% cheaper than in United States
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