Cost of Living Comparison Between Lilongwe and Nkhotakota Cost of Living Comparison Between Lilongwe and Nkhotakota

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $581 in Lilongwe versus $275 in Nkhotakota.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,129 in Lilongwe versus $453 in Nkhotakota.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,676 in Lilongwe versus $630 in Nkhotakota.

Living in Lilongwe is roughly 111% more expensive than Nkhotakota, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both cities sit below the global median: Lilongwe 57% lower, Nkhotakota 79% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.97 MWK 8,539

$4.97 MWK 8,536

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.48 MWK 55.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.27 MWK 17.6K

Cappuccino

$3.12 MWK 5,349

$4.94 MWK 8,474

-36.84%

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

$0.90 MWK 1,540

$0.49 MWK 833

83.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 MWK 656

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.69 MWK 2,897

$1.52 MWK 2,615

11.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.92 MWK 6,723

Milk (1 liter)

$0.93 MWK 1,599

$2.06 MWK 3,530

-54.85%

White Bread (500g)

$1.20 MWK 2,057

$0.48 MWK 825

150.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.69 MWK 2,910

$1.03 MWK 1,764

64.08%

Eggs

$2.69 MWK 4,627

$1.76 MWK 3,020

52.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.01 MWK 27.5K

$2.95 MWK 5,057

442.71%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.17 MWK 5,446

$3.03 MWK 5,198

4.62%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.00 MWK 6,874

$4.08 MWK 6,998

-1.96%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 MWK 4,483

$4.88 MWK 8,373

-46.52%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 MWK 1,667

$2.97 MWK 5,093

-67.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.54 MWK 2,644

$2.04 MWK 3,501

-24.51%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 MWK 2,680

$0.97 MWK 1,666

60.82%

Potato (1kg)

$1.33 MWK 2,285

$0.97 MWK 1,673

37.11%

Onion (1kg)

$1.26 MWK 2,163

$2.06 MWK 3,537

-38.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 MWK 1,117

$1.94 MWK 3,336

-66.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.62 MWK 2,789

Wine (Bottle)

$14.37 MWK 24.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 MWK 1,796

$1.01 MWK 1,736

3.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 MWK 3,240

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 MWK 1,651

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.26 MWK 7,322

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.53 MWK 4,341

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.19 MWK 3,767

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 MWK 2,830

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

$44.67 MWK 76.7K

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

$11.56 MWK 19.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 MWK 107.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.37 MWK 64.2K

Cinema Ticket

$4.05 MWK 6,949

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

$350 MWK 601.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,340 MWK 4.0M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$68.2 MWK 117.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$272 MWK 467.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$554 MWK 952.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$279 MWK 479.5K

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

Last update for Lilongwe: May 31, 2026

Last update for Nkhotakota: May 31, 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 Nkhotakota: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Nkhotakota is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 111% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $872 in Lilongwe and $412 in Nkhotakota to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Supermarket bills run roughly 22% higher in Lilongwe. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $581 per month in Lilongwe versus $275 in Nkhotakota – a 111% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Nkhotakota gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Expats usually find Nkhotakota gentler on the wallet – expenses run 111% less than in Lilongwe. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.