Cost of living
Balaka compared to Southern Region (Malawi)
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Overview comparison
BalakaSouthern Region (Malawi)
Consumer prices in Southern Region (Malawi) are roughly 5% higher than in Balaka.
Cost of living
| Item | Balaka | Southern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 519 | 691 |
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| Total with rent family | 1,174 | 1,429 |
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| Without rent one person | 341 | 349 |
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| Without rent one family | 830 | 1,116 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 261.59 | 432.72 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 346.57 | 558.29 |
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| Food person | 204 | 199 |
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| Food family | 521 | 624 |
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| Transport person | 24.62 | 36.71 |
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| Transport family | 95.99 | 110.93 |
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| Life expectancy | 80 years | 65.78 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Balaka | Southern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 3.08 | 5.09 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 19.88 | 28.94 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 4.38 | 4.88 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 0.92 | 0.74 |
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| Cappuccino | 2.06 | 1.87 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.79 | 0.64 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Balaka | Southern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 293.67 | 516.36 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 139.65 | 402.73 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 361.74 | 770.16 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 244.79 | 476.97 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 39.97 | 49.02 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 48.98 | 69.95 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 35.3 | 52.11 |
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Transportation
| Item | Balaka | Southern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 14.09 | 17.29 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 9,580 | 4,052 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 543 | 2,270 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 1.18 | 0.25 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 12.25% | 28.07% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 11.66 | 18.13 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.45 | 0.81 |
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Groceries
| Item | Balaka | Southern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.26 | 1.82 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.85 | 0.63 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 2.01 | 2.49 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 8.85 | 12.8 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.05 | 2.57 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.21 | 6.43 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 1.78 | 1.75 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.38 | 0.61 |
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Other
| Item | Balaka | Southern Region (Malawi) |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 30.6 | 29.02 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 3.34 | 4.8 |
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| Doctors visit | 15.36 | 29.22 |
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| Haircut, simple | 3.38 | 4.72 |
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| Brand Jeans | 26.73 | 28.61 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 54.64 | 66.35 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 376.41 | 238.4 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 2,018 | 5,274 |
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