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