Travel budget and cost of living in Lilongwe (Malawi) how much does a trip cost?

Lilongwe travel budget

Lilongwe: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Lilongwe

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Lilongwe for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Lilongwe compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Lilongwe in 2024 is 44% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Lilongwe in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Lilongwe by expense type

Restaurant budget in Lilongwe

Lunch

$ 3.4/person
( $ 3.4)

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82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 17/person
($ 11 to $ 21)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 4.7/person
($ 4 to $ 5.5)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 1.1 for 500ml
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

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81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 2.3 for 330ml
($ 1.7 to $ 2.8)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 3.2/cup
($ 2.3 to $ 3.8)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 0.9/can
($ 0.6 to $ 1.2)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.3/bottle
($ 0.3 to $ 0.4)

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83% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Lilongwe

1-star hotel

$ 100/night
($ 27 to $ 198)

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40% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

2-star hotel

$ 89/night
($ 45 to $ 158)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152

3-star hotel

$ 92/night
($ 30 to $ 182)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

4-star hotel

$ 104/night
($ 36 to $ 193)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 305

5-star hotel

$ 108/night
($ 60 to $ 179)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 437

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 100/month
($ 27 to $ 198)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163

Room with kitchen

$ 98/month
($ 31 to $ 196)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 107/month
($ 36 to $ 197)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204

Cottage or guest house

$ 73/month
($ 30 to $ 141)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

Family room

$ 161/month
($ 63 to $ 283)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202

Supermarket food budget in Lilongwe

Milk

$ 1.4/litre
($ 0.5 to $ 2.1)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 1.4/500g
($ 0.5 to $ 1.6)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 1.6/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.1)

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65% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 3/12 eggs
($ 1.4 to $ 3.6)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 2.8/kg
($ 2 to $ 4.2)

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76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 2.3/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.6)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 1.9)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 1.8/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 3)

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37% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 0.4
($ 0.1 to $ 0.7)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Lilongwe

Bus ticket

$ 0.9/ticket
($ 0.8 to $ 0.9)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.5/km
( $ 2.5)

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50% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.7/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 2.1)

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78% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 4.7
($ 2.4 to $ 6.6)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Leisure activity budget in Lilongwe

Cinema

$ 3.9/ticket
( $ 3.9)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 7.6/hr
( $ 7.6)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Lilongwe

Cigarettes

$ 1.6/pack
($ 0.7 to $ 2.4)

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84% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 26
($ 18 to $ 35)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 27
($ 12 to $ 41)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

London → Lilongwe

$ 998
(fair price: $ 850)

Manchester → Lilongwe

$ 1114
(fair price: $ 933)

Dublin → Lilongwe

$ 1204
(fair price: $ 977)

New York City → Lilongwe

$ 1408
(fair price: $ 1222)

Edinburgh → Lilongwe

$ 1197
(fair price: $ 970)

Toronto → Lilongwe

$ 1601
(fair price: $ 1384)

Book a flight Flight prices to Lilongwe