Cost of living
Balaka compared to Northern (Malawi)
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Overview comparison
BalakaNorthern (Malawi)
Consumer prices in Balaka are roughly 59% higher than in Northern (Malawi).
Cost of living
| Item | Balaka | Northern (Malawi) |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 519 | 510 |
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| Total with rent family | 1,174 | 1,374 |
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| Without rent one person | 341 | 279 |
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| Without rent one family | 830 | 759 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 261.59 | 189.78 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 346.57 | 573.01 |
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| Food person | 204 | 144 |
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| Food family | 521 | 449 |
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| Transport person | 24.62 | 33.32 |
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| Transport family | 95.99 | 93.17 |
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| Life expectancy | 80 years | 68.99 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Balaka | Northern (Malawi) |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 3.08 | 3.34 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 19.88 | 14.66 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 4.38 | 2.89 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 0.92 | 6.34 |
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| Cappuccino | 2.06 | 1.37 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.79 | 0.59 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Balaka | Northern (Malawi) |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 293.67 | 192.53 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 139.65 | 130.51 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 361.74 | 461.33 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 244.79 | 505.78 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 39.97 | 10.77 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 48.98 | 22.84 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 35.3 | 38.6 |
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Transportation
| Item | Balaka | Northern (Malawi) |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 14.09 | 11.83 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 9,580 | 619 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 543 | 956 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.18 | 1.37 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 12.25% | 4.61% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 11.66 | 12.7 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.45 | 0.93 |
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Groceries
| Item | Balaka | Northern (Malawi) |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.26 | 0.85 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.85 | 1.08 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.01 | 2.09 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.85 | 3.27 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.05 | 3.42 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.21 | 5.08 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.78 | 1.51 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.38 | 0.23 |
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Other
| Item | Balaka | Northern (Malawi) |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 30.6 | 54.93 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 3.34 | 4.02 |
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| Doctors visit | 15.36 | 28.64 |
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| Haircut, simple | 3.38 | 3.74 |
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| Brand Jeans | 26.73 | 30.17 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 54.64 | 36.26 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 376.41 | 223.88 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 2,018 | 594 |
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