Cost of Living in Blantyre - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $698 (excluding rent), and $749 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,206 (excluding rent), and $1,623 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.77 MWK 8,334

$3.92 MWK 6,845

$11.99 MWK 20.9K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$15.17 MWK 26.5K

$11.87 MWK 20.7K

$18.56 MWK 32.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.90 MWK 15.5K

$8.53 MWK 14.9K

$9.26 MWK 16.2K

Cappuccino

$2.67 MWK 4,669

$0.99 MWK 1,720

$3.08 MWK 5,371

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 MWK 1,450

$0.64 MWK 1,114

$0.99 MWK 1,733

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.53 MWK 924

$0.51 MWK 887

$0.61 MWK 1,068

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.21 MWK 2,105

$0.97 MWK 1,691

$1.98 MWK 3,451

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.85 MWK 4,975

$1.72 MWK 3,009

$3.00 MWK 5,232

Milk (1 liter)

$0.93 MWK 1,632

$0.56 MWK 983

$1.40 MWK 2,448

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 MWK 2,215

$1.09 MWK 1,903

$1.44 MWK 2,509

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.03 MWK 3,542

$1.67 MWK 2,922

$2.73 MWK 4,763

Eggs

$1.73 MWK 3,026

$1.40 MWK 2,442

$2.03 MWK 3,540

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.48 MWK 6,072

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.78 MWK 10.1K

$4.52 MWK 7,886

$7.05 MWK 12.3K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.14 MWK 10.7K

$5.50 MWK 9,602

$6.54 MWK 11.4K

Apples (1kg)

$2.26 MWK 3,942

$2.13 MWK 3,710

$2.40 MWK 4,192

Banana (1kg)

$2.28 MWK 3,981

$2.03 MWK 3,539

$2.44 MWK 4,253

Oranges (1kg)

$2.49 MWK 4,349

$1.50 MWK 2,627

$3.48 MWK 6,070

Tomato (1kg)

$1.09 MWK 1,905

$0.99 MWK 1,729

$1.20 MWK 2,099

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 MWK 2,259

$1.16 MWK 2,021

$1.43 MWK 2,497

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 MWK 2,391

$1.19 MWK 2,070

$1.70 MWK 2,962

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.31 MWK 536

$0.27 MWK 469

$0.35 MWK 603

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.83 MWK 1,450

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.39 MWK 4,174

Wine (Bottle)

$10.76 MWK 18.8K

$5.86 MWK 10.2K

$16.73 MWK 29.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.94 MWK 1,649

$0.90 MWK 1,579

$1.00 MWK 1,738

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 MWK 2,781

$1.46 MWK 2,540

$1.73 MWK 3,021

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.83 MWK 1,441

$0.48 MWK 838

$1.17 MWK 2,044

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.57 MWK 991

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.41 MWK 4,212

$0.58 MWK 1,019

$2.42 MWK 4,229

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.17 MWK 10.8K

$0.90 MWK 1,569

$6.92 MWK 12.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.60 MWK 2,790

$1.52 MWK 2,648

$1.97 MWK 3,443

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.0K MWK 61.2M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$39.4K MWK 68.9M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$37.72 MWK 65.9K

$26.65 MWK 46.5K

$48.79 MWK 85.2K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$8.17 MWK 14.3K

$7.19 MWK 12.6K

$9.15 MWK 16.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$148 MWK 259.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.1 MWK 105.0K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.91 MWK 26.0K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$364 MWK 636.2K

$298 MWK 521.0K

$493 MWK 860.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$593 MWK 1.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.01 MWK 78.6K

$32.86 MWK 57.4K

$59.1 MWK 103.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.29 MWK 59.9K

$11.72 MWK 20.5K

$67.0 MWK 117.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.7 MWK 100.7K

$43.25 MWK 75.5K

$72.1 MWK 125.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.2 MWK 124.3K

$49.49 MWK 86.4K

$84.1 MWK 146.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$199 MWK 346.8K

$121 MWK 210.8K

$289 MWK 504.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$92.1 MWK 160.8K

$40.72 MWK 71.1K

$198 MWK 346.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$540 MWK 941.9K

$381 MWK 664.3K

$769 MWK 1.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$360 MWK 627.9K

$247 MWK 430.4K

$496 MWK 865.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$389 MWK 678.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$490 MWK 855.4K

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 11, 2026

Blantyre Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

306

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Blantyre - Frequently Asked Questions

A quick snapshot: Cost of Living in Blantyre tends to be approachable for you as a traveler or long-term visitor who plans with a flexible budget. Local markets offer fresh produce at friendly prices, and street food can stretch a meal farther than you might expect. Housing options vary by area and security needs, from modest apartments to fenced homes; expect rents to reflect proximity to services and climate risk. Internet tends to be reliable enough for remote work in central neighborhoods, with cafes and coworking spaces expanding on weekends. Tip: choose a base near markets to cut daily trips.

On a day-to-day basis, you'll start housing searches in central or residential wards, then widen to quieter neighborhoods based on safety, space, and budget. For groceries, markets and supermarkets offer fresh produce and staples that suit practical budgets. Dining options cover quick local bites to casual cafes with reliable Wi-Fi for work sessions. Transport leans on minibuses, shared taxis, and occasional ride-hailing; walking can cover short hops in busy streets. Banks, clinics, and shops cluster in main wards, so errands are usually straightforward. Blantyre living cost varies by neighborhood and commute; plan with flexible margins. Tip: ...

To optimize your stay, adopt a simple budgeting framework: separate housing, food, transport, and activities, then track monthly shifts by season. In Blantyre, cooler dry months can lower some energy use, while the rainy season can change travel times and shopping routines. Aim for a neighborhood that fits your pace – central areas for quick access to services, or quiet suburbs for longer stays. Save tips include cooking at home, negotiating longer-term rents, using public transport when possible, and choosing venues with free Wi-Fi for remote work. Tip: ...