Travel budget in Malawi

Malawi: calculate your travel budget

Malawi: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Malawi for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 35 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 8.2 per person
  • $ 4.3 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 837* (769104 MWK)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 103 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 22 per person
  • $ 7 per person
  • $ 4.5 per person

Total budget:

$ 2347* (2157302 MWK)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 128 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 32 per person
  • $ 9.5 per person
  • $ 9.1 per person

Total budget:

$ 3189* (2931782 MWK)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Malawi in 2023

Cost of living: Malawi VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Malawi in 2023 is 43% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in Malawi by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Malawi compared to the national average.

Cities /Malawi View Details
Lilongwe 2% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Lilongwe
Blantyre 2% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Blantyre



Local prices in Malawi by expense type

Malawi: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Malawi costs 54% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 5.4/person
($ 4.3 to $ 11)

75% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 23/person
($ 8.1 to $ 38)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 9.4/person
($ 8.6 to $ 10.3)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 1.1 for 500ml
($ 1.1 to $ 1.7)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.4 for 330ml
($ 1.9 to $ 3.2)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.9/cup
($ 0.8 to $ 3.8)

44% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1.1/can
($ 0.7 to $ 3.1)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.5/bottle
($ 0.5 to $ 2.2)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Malawi: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Malawi costs 49% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 38/night
($ 38 to $ 38)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 126
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 110/night
($ 88 to $ 136)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 147
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 95/night
($ 70 to $ 121)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 211
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 198/night
($ 158 to $ 236)

37% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 316
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 58/night
($ 57 to $ 57)

91% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 684
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 35/month
($ 35 to $ 35)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 131
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 140/month
($ 113 to $ 167)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 208
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 122/month
($ 94 to $ 161)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 193
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 67/month
($ 54 to $ 82)

73% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 257
Family room
Family room
$ 210/month
($ 165 to $ 257)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 199

Malawi: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Malawi costs 50% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.3/litre
($ 0.6 to $ 2.4)

12% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.4/500g
($ 1 to $ 1.7)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 1.6/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 1.8)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 3.3/12 eggs
($ 1.6 to $ 3.9)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 4.1/kg
($ 2.3 to $ 7.5)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.1)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 2.2)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.9/kg
($ 0.8 to $ 3.3)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.5
($ 0.1 to $ 0.8)

78% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Malawi: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Malawi costs 14% less than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.1/ticket
($ 1.1 to $ 1.1)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.4/km
($ 0.4 to $ 0.5)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 2/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 2.4)

80% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.9
($ 2.6 to $ 7.4)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Malawi: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Malawi costs 66% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 4.5/ticket
( $ 4.5)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 6.9/hr
($ 5.3 to $ 8.5)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Malawi: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Malawi costs 27% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 2.7/pack
( $ 2.7)

72% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 9.9
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 48
($ 34 to $ 66)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 49
($ 23 to $ 77)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 46

Plane ticket budget

London → Lilongwe
London → Lilongwe
London → Lilongwe
$ 1045
(fair price: $ 879)
Manchester → Lilongwe
Manchester → Lilongwe
Manchester → Lilongwe
$ 1210
(fair price: $ 978)
Dublin → Lilongwe
Dublin → Lilongwe
Dublin → Lilongwe
$ 1259
(fair price: $ 1028)
Edinburgh → Lilongwe
Edinburgh → Lilongwe
Edinburgh → Lilongwe
$ 1275
(fair price: $ 1048)
New York City → Lilongwe
New York City → Lilongwe
New York City → Lilongwe
$ 1679
(fair price: $ 1439)
Toronto (Ontario) → Lilongwe
Toronto (Ontario) → Lilongwe
Toronto (Ontario) → Lilongwe
$ 1765
(fair price: $ 1506)


About the information on the cost of living in Malawi

The information about the cost of living in Malawi shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Easyvoyage and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Malawi updated on 24-05-2023.

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