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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.06 MWK 8,807

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.52 MWK 54.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.37 MWK 18.0K

Cappuccino

$3.06 MWK 5,322

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

$0.90 MWK 1,560

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 MWK 669

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.70 MWK 2,948

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.05 MWK 7,039

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 MWK 1,763

White Bread (500g)

$1.23 MWK 2,141

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.67 MWK 2,909

Eggs

$2.61 MWK 4,541

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.78 MWK 27.4K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.28 MWK 5,699

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.05 MWK 7,044

Apples (1kg)

$2.62 MWK 4,565

Banana (1kg)

$0.98 MWK 1,704

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 MWK 2,656

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 MWK 2,744

Potato (1kg)

$1.34 MWK 2,326

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MWK 2,212

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 MWK 1,062

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.63 MWK 2,828

Wine (Bottle)

$14.52 MWK 25.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 MWK 1,824

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 MWK 3,397

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 MWK 1,563

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.20 MWK 7,299

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.53 MWK 4,406

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.22 MWK 3,863

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.57 MWK 2,722

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

$45.55 MWK 79.2K

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

$11.55 MWK 20.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.8 MWK 107.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.79 MWK 65.7K

Cinema Ticket

$3.87 MWK 6,727

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

$346 MWK 602.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,361 MWK 4.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$66.3 MWK 115.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$268 MWK 466.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$554 MWK 963.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$279 MWK 484.8K

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

Last update for Monkey Bay: April 26, 2026

Last update for Lilongwe: April 26, 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

Monkey Bay vs Lilongwe: 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.