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