Cost of living
Malawi compared to South Africa
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Overview comparison
MalawiSouth Africa
Consumer prices in Malawi are roughly 27% higher than in South Africa.
Cost of living
| Item | Malawi | South Africa |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 677 | 981 |
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| Total with rent family | 1,500 | 2,136 |
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| Without rent one person | 355 | 523 |
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| Without rent one family | 882 | 1,266 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 202.56 | 403.47 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 359.63 | 989.96 |
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| Food person | 224 | 313 |
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| Food family | 450 | 725 |
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| Transport person | 78.42 | 119.7 |
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| Transport family | 281.8 | 300.67 |
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| Life expectancy | 71.25 years | 63.73 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Malawi | South Africa |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 4.44 | 9.96 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 17.09 | 35.97 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 5.72 | 4.79 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 1.17 | 1.87 |
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| Cappuccino | 2.39 | 2.22 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 1.05 | 0.94 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Malawi | South Africa |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 318.26 | 486.65 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 124.39 | 296.11 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 438.9 | 769.62 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 275.85 | 708.84 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 33.7 | 55.88 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 53.36 | 109.45 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 41.87 | 49.59 |
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Transportation
| Item | Malawi | South Africa |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 14.66 | 10.18 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 12,485 | 1,348 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 487 | 998 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.95 | 1.55 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 14.46% | 52.07% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 14.42 | 7.95 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.53 | 1.29 |
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Groceries
| Item | Malawi | South Africa |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.94 | 0.93 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 1.12 | 0.87 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.2 | 2.51 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 7.49 | 9.77 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.42 | 4.56 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.61 | 6.79 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.91 | 1.74 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.48 | 0.58 |
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Other
| Item | Malawi | South Africa |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 45.38 | 27.61 |
|---|
| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 3.07 | 6.28 |
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| Doctors visit | 18.35 | 25.25 |
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| Haircut, simple | 3.49 | 5.61 |
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| Brand Jeans | 35.97 | 47.91 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 59.82 | 89.81 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 392.49 | 198.35 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 1,486 | 4,295 |
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