Cost of Living Comparison Between Lilongwe and Monkey Bay Cost of Living Comparison Between Lilongwe and Monkey Bay

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.89 MWK 8,404

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.02 MWK 55.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.42 MWK 17.9K

Cappuccino

$2.97 MWK 5,100

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

$0.96 MWK 1,652

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.42 MWK 714

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.76 MWK 3,016

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.09 MWK 7,021

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 MWK 1,717

White Bread (500g)

$1.21 MWK 2,073

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.69 MWK 2,902

Eggs

$2.67 MWK 4,585

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.51 MWK 26.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.14 MWK 5,389

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.08 MWK 7,001

Apples (1kg)

$2.62 MWK 4,503

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 MWK 1,758

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 MWK 2,610

Tomato (1kg)

$1.50 MWK 2,582

Potato (1kg)

$1.36 MWK 2,333

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MWK 2,183

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 MWK 1,103

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.60 MWK 2,749

Wine (Bottle)

$14.33 MWK 24.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 MWK 1,791

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 MWK 3,211

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 MWK 1,559

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.42 MWK 7,596

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.54 MWK 4,366

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.14 MWK 3,679

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.66 MWK 2,844

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

$45.38 MWK 77.9K

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

$11.62 MWK 20.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.4 MWK 108.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.82 MWK 63.2K

Cinema Ticket

$3.99 MWK 6,846

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

$344 MWK 590.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,304 MWK 4.0M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$67.7 MWK 116.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$263 MWK 450.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$548 MWK 941.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$278 MWK 477.0K

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

Last update for Lilongwe: June 9, 2026

Last update for Monkey Bay: June 9, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Lilongwe vs Monkey Bay: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Monkey Bay is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lilongwe, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

It comes down to priorities – Monkey Bay wins on affordability, Lilongwe on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.