Capital city in Central Region, Malawi
Cost of living in Lilongwe
How much a month costs in Lilongwe
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,030–1,830 (MK1.8M–3.2M).
Prices in Lilongwe
Typical 2026 ranges in MWK, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MWK | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | MK20,000–45,000 | $11–26 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | MK90,000–240,000 | $52–137 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | MK4,000–9,000 | $2.3–5.2 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | MK15,000–38,000 | $9–22 |
| Cappuccino | MK3,000–7,000 | $1.7–4.0 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | MK2,500–5,500 | $1.4–3.1 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | MK500–2,000 | $0.3–1.1 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | MK6,000–16,000 | $3.4–9.2 |
Value for money: 54/100
A value score of 54/100 means Lilongwe gives more quality of life per dollar than 53% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 53/100.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Malawi
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Maclear | $801–1,370 | 81/100 |
| Lilongwe | $1,030–1,830 | 54/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Lilongwe
Similar safety, lower cost, in Africa.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan | Egypt | $478–803 |
| Dahab | Egypt | $536–861 |
| Djerba | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Sousse | Tunisia | $674–1,080 |
| Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | $553–921 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Lilongwe?
About $401–744 on a lean budget, $1,030–1,830 for a comfortable month and $2,290–4,290 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much does food cost in Lilongwe?
A local meal is MK4,000–9,000 ($2.3–5.2); a mid-range restaurant is MK15,000–38,000 ($9–22) per person.
Is Malawi expensive?
Prices in Malawi are about 53% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Lilongwe
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Malawi immigration
- Malawi Department of Tourism
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.