🇲🇼Cost of Living in Lilongwe

Malawi · Population: 1,100,000 · Cost Index: 24/100

Cost of Living in Lilongwe

Malawi · Africa

Lilongwe is the capital and largest city of Malawi, located in the central region of the country on the Lilongwe River. The city is divided into old town and new city areas, with the latter housing government offices and diplomatic missions.

1,100,000

Population

Cost Index

Safety Index

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $550 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $320.00

1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)

$280.00

1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)

$150.00

3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)

$550.00

3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)

$300.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $3.63

Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)

$2.50

Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)

$18.00

McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)

$5.00

Milk (1 liter)(per liter)

$1.10

Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)

$0.50

Rice (1 kg)(per kg)

$0.80

Eggs (12)(per dozen)

$1.60

Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)

$3.50

Apples (1 kg)(per kg)

$2.80

Banana (1 kg)(per kg)

$0.50

Transportation

Avg: $3.01

Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)

$12.00

One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)

$0.25

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)

$1.00

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)

$0.40

Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)

$1.40

Utilities

Avg: $30.00

Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)

$45.00

Mobile Phone Plan(per month)

$10.00

Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)

$35.00

Healthcare

Avg: $9.67

Doctor Visit(per visit)

$10.00

Dentist Visit(per visit)

$15.00

Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)

$4.00

Entertainment

Avg: $8.13

Fitness Club Monthly(per month)

$25.00

Cinema Ticket(per ticket)

$4.00

Cappuccino(per cup)

$2.00

Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)

$1.50

Clothing

Avg: $36.00

Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)

$35.00

Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)

$18.00

Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)

$55.00

Compare Lilongwe with another city

See how Lilongwe stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency: MWK
Language: English/Chewa
Cost Index: 24/100
Safety Index: 45/100
Quality of Life: 32/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.