Cost of living
Balaka compared to Central Region (Malawi)
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Overview comparison
BalakaCentral Region (Malawi)
Consumer prices in Balaka are roughly 59% higher than in Central Region (Malawi).
Cost of living
| Item | Balaka | Central Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 519 | 518 |
|---|
| Total with rent family | 1,174 | 1,562 |
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| Without rent one person | 341 | 266 |
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| Without rent one family | 830 | 667 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 261.59 | 219.34 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 346.57 | 488.92 |
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| Food person | 204 | 195 |
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| Food family | 521 | 409 |
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| Transport person | 24.62 | 37.8 |
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| Transport family | 95.99 | 87.25 |
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| Life expectancy | 80 years | 84.48 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Balaka | Central Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 3.08 | 3.47 |
|---|
| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 19.88 | 14.49 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 4.38 | 3 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 0.92 | 7.03 |
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| Cappuccino | 2.06 | 1.88 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.79 | 0.69 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Balaka | Central Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 293.67 | 178.27 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 139.65 | 150.6 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 361.74 | 473.72 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 244.79 | 398.67 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 39.97 | 14.11 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 48.98 | 17.23 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 35.3 | 35.3 |
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Transportation
| Item | Balaka | Central Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 14.09 | 8.11 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 9,580 | 689 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 543 | 1,031 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.18 | 1.46 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 12.25% | 4.08% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 11.66 | 16.52 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.45 | 0.99 |
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Groceries
| Item | Balaka | Central Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.26 | 0.81 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.85 | 0.82 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.01 | 2.42 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.85 | 3.21 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.05 | 4.1 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.21 | 5.06 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.78 | 1.67 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.38 | 0.22 |
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Other
| Item | Balaka | Central Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 30.6 | 41.62 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 3.34 | 3.1 |
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| Doctors visit | 15.36 | 31.36 |
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| Haircut, simple | 3.38 | 3.56 |
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| Brand Jeans | 26.73 | 31.38 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 54.64 | 38.34 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 376.41 | 224.26 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 2,018 | 579 |
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