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Average Cost of Living in Lilongwe-Malawi
The average cost of living in Lilongwe-Malawi, Malawi is $285 per month for a single person, and $720 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $68 per month. The local average net salary is $275 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 6.5 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $285 / month
- Family of 4
- $720 / mo
- Student
- $173 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Lilongwe-Malawi
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$275 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Lilongwe-Malawi | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Lilongwe-Malawi | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Lilongwe-Malawi | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Lilongwe-Malawi | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Lilongwe-Malawi | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Lilongwe-Malawi | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Lilongwe-Malawi FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Lilongwe-Malawi. |
Rent & Property Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | — | — |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $68 | $48 – $88 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $267 | — |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $554 | $148 – $1,000 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | — | — |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | — | — |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre —
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $68$48 – $88
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $267
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $554$148 – $1,000
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre —
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre —
Grocery Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $0.98 | $0.49 – $2.14 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.22 | $0.58 – $1.56 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.72 | $0.97 – $2.16 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.66 | $1.40 – $3.60 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $16 | — |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $3.19 | $2.00 – $4.32 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $3.98 | $2.00 – $6.05 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2.57 | $1.00 – $3.70 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.24 | $0.80 – $1.95 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $1.50 | $1.00 – $2.00 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1.54 | $0.78 – $2.00 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.37 | $0.78 – $3.00 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.24 | $0.97 – $1.76 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | — | — |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.63 | $0.10 – $1.00 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $15 | — |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.06 | $0.78 – $1.46 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.91 | $1.05 – $2.92 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $1.59 | $0.74 – $2.43 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $0.98$0.49 – $2.14
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.22$0.58 – $1.56
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.72$0.97 – $2.16
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.66$1.40 – $3.60
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $16
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $3.19$2.00 – $4.32
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $3.98$2.00 – $6.05
- Apples (1 kg) $2.57$1.00 – $3.70
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.24$0.80 – $1.95
- Oranges (1 kg) $1.50$1.00 – $2.00
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.54$0.78 – $2.00
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.37$0.78 – $3.00
- Onions (1 kg) $1.24$0.97 – $1.76
- Lettuce (1 Head) —
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.63$0.10 – $1.00
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $15
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.06$0.78 – $1.46
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.91$1.05 – $2.92
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $1.59$0.74 – $2.43
Public Transport & Car Costs in Lilongwe-Malawi
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.92 | $0.86 – $0.98 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $4.32 | — |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | — | — |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $2.59 | — |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $2.16 | — |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.61 | $1.50 – $2.14 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | — | — |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | — | — |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.92$0.86 – $0.98
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $4.32
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) —
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $2.59
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $2.16
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.61$1.50 – $2.14
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) —
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) —
Utility & Internet Costs in Lilongwe-Malawi
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $45 | $21 – $70 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $12 | $7.12 – $15 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $62 | $58 – $70 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $45$21 – $70
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $12$7.12 – $15
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $62$58 – $70
Childcare & Preschool in Lilongwe-Malawi
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $350 | — |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $2,349 | — |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $350
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $2,349
Clothing Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | — | — |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | — | — |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | — | — |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | — | — |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) —
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) —
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) —
- Men's Leather Business Shoes —
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Lilongwe-Malawi
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $37 | $31 – $44 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | — | — |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | — | — |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $37$31 – $44
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) —
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) —
Restaurant Prices in Lilongwe-Malawi
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $5.00 | $3.46 – $5.00 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $32 | $22 – $39 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $10 | $6.50 – $14 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.00 | $0.69 – $3.66 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $4.00 | $1.44 – $4.05 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $3.04 | $2.00 – $3.90 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.44 | $0.69 – $2.88 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.36 | $0.29 – $0.50 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $5.00$3.46 – $5.00
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $32$22 – $39
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $10$6.50 – $14
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $2.00$0.69 – $3.66
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $4.00$1.44 – $4.05
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.04$2.00 – $3.90
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.44$0.69 – $2.88
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.36$0.29 – $0.50
Salaries & Mortgages in Lilongwe-Malawi
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $275 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | — | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $275
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) —
Compare Lilongwe-Malawi with…
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- An estimated $285 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Lilongwe-Malawi. A family of four needs around $720 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $173.
- How much money do I need to live in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- Plan for at least $285 per month as a single person, $720 per month for a family of four, or $173 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Lilongwe-Malawi.
- What is the average rent in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Lilongwe-Malawi rents for around $68 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $267 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- The average monthly net salary in Lilongwe-Malawi is around $275. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 25% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Lilongwe-Malawi costs around $5.00. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $39 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($0.98/L) and bread ($1.22/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- A monthly public transport pass in Lilongwe-Malawi costs around $4.32. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Lilongwe-Malawi?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Lilongwe-Malawi costs around $62 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.