Cost of Living in Lilongwe - Updated Prices & Insights

31.33

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $463 (excluding rent), and $583 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,093 (excluding rent), and $1,675 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.13 MWK 8,814

$3.55 MWK 6,099

$5.13 MWK 8,814

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.31 MWK 55.5K

$21.78 MWK 37.4K

$39.37 MWK 67.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.05 MWK 17.2K

$6.37 MWK 10.9K

$13.72 MWK 23.6K

Cappuccino

$2.98 MWK 5,110

$1.96 MWK 3,362

$3.82 MWK 6,556

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

$0.92 MWK 1,581

$0.68 MWK 1,160

$2.82 MWK 4,843

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 MWK 655

$0.29 MWK 491

$0.48 MWK 818

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.7 MWK 2,912

$0.68 MWK 1,161

$3.59 MWK 6,161

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.92 MWK 6,725

$2.88 MWK 4,943

$3.97 MWK 6,809

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 MWK 1,730

$0.5 MWK 865

$2.2 MWK 3,778

White Bread (500g)

$1.2 MWK 2,068

$0.57 MWK 983

$1.54 MWK 2,644

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.75 MWK 3,001

$0.99 MWK 1,692

$2.19 MWK 3,769

Eggs

$2.6 MWK 4,461

$1.37 MWK 2,348

$3.52 MWK 6,037

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.7 MWK 27K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.25 MWK 5,580

$2.04 MWK 3,499

$4.4 MWK 7,557

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.04 MWK 6,945

$2.03 MWK 3,490

$6.15 MWK 10.6K

Apples (1kg)

$2.59 MWK 4,447

$1.01 MWK 1,730

$3.73 MWK 6,402

Banana (1kg)

$1.01 MWK 1,736

$0.81 MWK 1,389

$1.97 MWK 3,385

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 MWK 2,529

$0.98 MWK 1,686

$1.96 MWK 3,372

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 MWK 2,684

$0.79 MWK 1,360

$2.03 MWK 3,486

Potato (1kg)

$1.4 MWK 2,411

$0.8 MWK 1,373

$3.08 MWK 5,280

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 MWK 2,180

$0.99 MWK 1,705

$1.8 MWK 3,094

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 MWK 1,118

$0.1 MWK 177

$1.03 MWK 1,775

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.57 MWK 2,703

$0.73 MWK 1,258

$2.41 MWK 4,131

Wine (Bottle)

$14.77 MWK 25.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 MWK 1,849

$0.79 MWK 1,360

$1.48 MWK 2,546

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 MWK 3,339

$1.07 MWK 1,836

$2.97 MWK 5,105

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.95 MWK 1,631

$0.89 MWK 1,524

$1.01 MWK 1,737

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$4.21 MWK 7,232

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.61 MWK 4,479

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.1 MWK 3,598

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.58 MWK 2,712

$1.47 MWK 2,527

$2.1 MWK 3,605

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

$46.17 MWK 79.3K

$20.97 MWK 36K

$71.4 MWK 122.6K

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

$11.79 MWK 20.3K

$7.14 MWK 12.3K

$15.04 MWK 25.8K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.3 MWK 108.7K

$59.2 MWK 101.7K

$71 MWK 122K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.95 MWK 65.2K

$31.26 MWK 53.7K

$44.63 MWK 76.6K

Cinema Ticket

$4.02 MWK 6,905

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

$353 MWK 605.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,388 MWK 4.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$67.7 MWK 116.3K

$47.59 MWK 81.7K

$87.8 MWK 150.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$269 MWK 462.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$562 MWK 964.6K

$151 MWK 258.4K

$1,014 MWK 1.7M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.6K MWK 18.2M

$4,953 MWK 8.5M

$16.2K MWK 27.8M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$588 MWK 1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$279 MWK 478.2K

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

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Lilongwe - Frequently Asked Questions

Lilongwe tends to offer practical value for a range of visitors, especially when compared with bigger regional capitals. You'll find that daily expenses like markets, street food, and public transport can be manageable, while imported goods and boutique lodging push costs higher. For many expats, comfortable housing in quiet suburbs paired with local amenities provides a good balance. Digital nomads will appreciate reliable internet in cafes and coworking spaces, plus reasonable living costs that scale with your lifestyle. Cost of Living in Lilongwe, Malawi gives a quick orientation for budgeting across housing, groceries, and transport. Tip: Start with a short rental-term trial to feel neighborhoods firsthand.

Housing search centers on location, safety, and long-term value, with many newcomers choosing quiet residential suburbs near the city core. You'll find a mix of apartments and small houses, with landlords often favoring longer leases. Food options span busy markets, street stalls, and modern supermarkets, keeping meals affordable and varied. Transport is practical: minibuses, taxis, and ride-hailing services cover most trips, while reliable wifi at cafes and coworking spaces supports remote work. For best results, map a few reliable routes and test connections during your typical work window. Lilongwe, Malawi living cost varies by area and lifestyle. Tip: scout neighborhoods at different times of day and seasons.

Quality of life in Lilongwe comes from balancing comfort, community, and pragmatism. Try a simple budgeting framework: divide your month into housing, food, transport, and discretionary spending; track spend in a notebook or app, then adjust seasonally – rainy months may shift transport or energy use. To maximize value, mix long-term rentals with occasional short stays near markets and work hubs, and seek neighborhoods that offer safety, greenery, and proximity to wifi spots. Seasonal markets can offer better produce deals, while cooking at home often saves versus frequent takeout. Tip: build a simple monthly budget and test it for a few weeks to gauge what fits your pace and lifestyle.