Cost of living
Balaka compared to Northern Region (Malawi)
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Overview comparison
BalakaNorthern Region (Malawi)
Consumer prices in Balaka are roughly 61% higher than in Northern Region (Malawi).
Cost of living
| Item | Balaka | Northern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 519 | 448 |
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| Total with rent family | 1,174 | 1,234 |
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| Without rent one person | 341 | 252 |
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| Without rent one family | 830 | 872 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 261.59 | 193.89 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 346.57 | 544.03 |
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| Food person | 204 | 204 |
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| Food family | 521 | 371 |
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| Transport person | 24.62 | 32.83 |
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| Transport family | 95.99 | 112.65 |
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| Life expectancy | 80 years | 72.3 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Balaka | Northern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 3.08 | 2.98 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 19.88 | 13.58 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 4.38 | 2.66 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 0.92 | 7.31 |
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| Cappuccino | 2.06 | 1.69 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.79 | 0.66 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Balaka | Northern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 293.67 | 220.3 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 139.65 | 139.71 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 361.74 | 396.03 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 244.79 | 507.49 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 39.97 | 11.67 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 48.98 | 17.42 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 35.3 | 29.34 |
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Transportation
| Item | Balaka | Northern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 14.09 | 11.48 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 9,580 | 626 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 543 | 753 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.18 | 1.39 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 12.25% | 3.8% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 11.66 | 17.95 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.45 | 0.92 |
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Groceries
| Item | Balaka | Northern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.26 | 0.87 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.85 | 1.12 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.01 | 1.92 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.85 | 2.94 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.05 | 3.82 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.21 | 4.58 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.78 | 1.44 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.38 | 0.21 |
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Other
| Item | Balaka | Northern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 30.6 | 39.77 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 3.34 | 4.34 |
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| Doctors visit | 15.36 | 25.22 |
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| Haircut, simple | 3.38 | 2.76 |
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| Brand Jeans | 26.73 | 31.11 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 54.64 | 28.1 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 376.41 | 228.65 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 2,018 | 557 |
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