malawi

Prices and Cost of Living in Malawi

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in Malawi. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 3.48 EUR to 4.80 EUR

Transportation

from 0.53 EUR to 1.06 EUR

Sightseeing

from 1.11 EUR to 1.15 EUR

Accommodation

from 34.50 EUR to 38.33 EUR

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 39.62 EUR to 45.34 EUR

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 13 March 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 74921 MWK (39.62 EUR) to 85738 MWK (45.34 EUR). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 117034 MWK (61.89 EUR) to 162323 MWK (85.84 EUR). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in Malawi. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 2.05 EUR to 3.3 EUR

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 3.27 EUR to 5.06 EUR

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 13 March 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in Malawi?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 3877 MWK (2.05 EUR) to 6240 MWK (3.3 EUR) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 6184 MWK (3.27 EUR) to 9568 MWK (5.06 EUR) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 13 March 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in Malawi

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in Malawi, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)1.32 EUR
Banana (1kg)0.71 EUR
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)1.92 EUR
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)3.44 EUR
Chicken Fillets (1kg)1.51 EUR
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)1.59 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)0.49 EUR
Eggs (regular) (12)0.91 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)0.77 EUR
Lettuce (1 head)0.20 EUR
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)0.44 EUR
Local Cheese (1kg)9.52 EUR
Milk (regular), (1 liter)0.46 EUR
Onion (1kg)0.81 EUR
Oranges (1kg)1.25 EUR
Potato (1kg)0.85 EUR
Rice (white), (1kg)0.56 EUR
Tomato (1kg)0.71 EUR
Water (1.5 liter bottle)0.33 EUR

Food and beverage prices in Malawi

Popular food products found on store shelves in Malawi include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1533 MWK (0.81 EUR) for a kilo of onions to 3629 MWK (1.92 EUR) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1064 MWK (0.56 EUR) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 829 MWK (0.44 EUR) per half kilo. Bananas cost 1338 MWK (0.71 EUR) per kilo, while apples cost 2493 MWK (1.32 EUR) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 622 MWK (0.33 EUR). Dairy prices in Malawi, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 866 MWK (0.46 EUR), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 18000 MWK (9.52 EUR). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 2850 MWK (1.51 EUR) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 1715 MWK (0.91 EUR), and the average price of tomatoes is 1338 MWK (0.71 EUR) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)1.34 EUR
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)0.42 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)0.42 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)0.95 EUR
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)2.75 EUR
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course15.86 EUR
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant2.12 EUR
Water (0.33 liter bottle)0.21 EUR

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Malawi vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 2532 MWK (1.34 EUR), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 790 MWK (0.42 EUR). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 5200 MWK (2.75 EUR) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 30000 MWK (15.86 EUR). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 4000 MWK (2.12 EUR).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)24.25 EUR
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)0.26 EUR
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)0.53 EUR
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)0.19 EUR
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)1.98 EUR

How much does transportation cost in Malawi?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 500 MWK (0.26 EUR), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 45850 MWK (24.25 EUR). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 3750 MWK (1.98 EUR), along with a per-kilometer charge of 350 MWK (0.19 EUR).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L1.45 EUR
Gasoline 1L1.34 EUR

Fuel prices in Malawi

Average fuel prices in Malawi are 2529 MWK (1.34 EUR) per liter of gasoline and 2734 MWK (1.45 EUR) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat2.18 EUR
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult18.07 EUR
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)3.44 EUR

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre129 EUR
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre75.55 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre271 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre231 EUR

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Malawi?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Malawi varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 142857 MWK (75.55 EUR) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 243750 MWK (129 EUR) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 10810500 MWK (5717 EUR) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre5 717 EUR
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre476 EUR

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)172 EUR

Hotel Prices in Malawi

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
2
85.89 EUR
Villa Ntowe Lodge
12
93.61 EUR
Blantyre Airport Lodge
2
159 EUR
Protea Hotel by Marriott Blantyre Ryalls
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices of products and services in Malawi. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 03/2023, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs malawi

Where to next? Discover country icon Mozambique, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder