Cost of living comparison
Lilongwe is 10.3% cheaper than Manama.
- Restaurants
-
pay 15.1% less in Lilongwe
- Groceries
-
pay 17.2% more in Lilongwe
- Transportation
-
pay 61.2% more in Lilongwe
- Housing
-
pay 25.2% less in Lilongwe
- Childcare
-
pay 40.2% less in Lilongwe
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 60.0% less in Lilongwe
The cost of transportation and groceries in Lilongwe are more expensive than in Manama. Expenses including entertainment and sports, childcare, housing, and restaurants are lower in Lilongwe.
If you lived in Lilongwe instead of Manama, you would:
pay 15.1% less for restaurants
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$6.86
BHD2.580
|
$3.46
MWK5,995.72
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$7.12
BHD2.680
|
?? | |
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$0.85
BHD0.320
|
$0.91
MWK1,585.70
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.35
BHD0.130
|
$0.34
MWK589.13
|
|
pay 17.2% more for groceries
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$1.42
BHD0.530
|
$1.41
MWK2,449.13
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$3.72
BHD1.400
|
$7.88
MWK13,655.19
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.73
BHD2.540
|
$5.24
MWK9,073.23
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.62
BHD0.990
|
$3.06
MWK5,294.55
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$3.01
BHD1.130
|
$1.30
MWK2,244.27
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.06
BHD0.400
|
$1.07
MWK1,845.93
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.94
BHD0.350
|
$0.59
MWK1,026.69
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$0.78
BHD0.290
|
?? | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$0.53
BHD0.200
|
$0.56
MWK977.01
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.37
BHD0.140
|
$0.84
MWK1,449.78
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.45
BHD0.170
|
$0.56
MWK976.87
|
|
pay 61.2% more for transportation
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$2.07
BHD0.780
|
$6.43
MWK11,138.40
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$34.28
BHD12.920
|
$4.32
MWK7,490.06
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$36,920.22
BHD13,917.480
|
?? | |
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$39.43
BHD14.860
|
?? | |
pay 25.2% less for housing
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$40.00
BHD15.080
|
$62.37
MWK108,084.91
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$765.66
BHD288.620
|
?? | |
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$540.84
BHD203.870
|
$67.61
MWK117,172.64
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$95.46
BHD35.980
|
$53.53
MWK92,768.01
|
|
pay 40.2% less for childcare
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$364.26
BHD137.310
|
$350.00
MWK606,560.10
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$10,054.17
BHD3,790.030
|
$2,349.49
MWK4,071,727.11
|
|
pay 60.0% less for entertainment and sports
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$8.00
BHD3.020
|
$1.08
MWK1,871.99
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.38
BHD2.030
|
$3.21
MWK5,561.36
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$6.46
BHD2.440
|
$1.59
MWK2,749.51
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$67.98
BHD25.630
|
$44.05
MWK76,344.88
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$10.55
BHD3.980
|
$3.95
MWK6,846.43
|
|
pay (unknown) more for clothing
|
Manama
|
Lilongwe
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$49.67
BHD18.720
|
?? | |
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$72.52
BHD27.340
|
?? | |
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.71
BHD32.310
|
?? | |
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$90.98
BHD34.300
|
?? |
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