Malawi🇲🇼
At a Glance
How Malawi compares across key indices
Cost of Living
29 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
83/100
Healthcare
45/100
Quality of Life
93/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Malawi
Cost of Living
29
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
22
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
29
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
30
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in Malawi - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
83/100
Crime Index
25/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Malawi
Malawi has 23 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $571 in Salima to $742 in Lilongwe. Zomba leads on safety, scoring 85/100. Mangochi ranks highest for quality of life at 100/200.
Salima
$571/mo
Zomba
85/100
Mangochi
100/200
Lilongwe
56/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilongwe | $742 | 78/100 | 97/200 | 56/100 | 55 |
| Blantyre | $659 | 81/100 | 98/200 | 51/100 | 51 |
| Mzuzu | $620 | 84/100 | 99/200 | 46/100 | 46 |
| Zomba | $598 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 44/100 | 43 |
| Karonga | $582 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 42/100 | 41 |
| Kasungu | $580 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 42/100 | 41 |
| Mangochi | $577 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 42/100 | 40 |
| Salima | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Liwonde | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Balaka | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Dedza | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Nkhotakota | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Mchinji | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Nsanje | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Mzimba | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Mponela | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Rumphi | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Ntcheu | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Mwanza | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Chitipa | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Monkey Bay | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Mulanje | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
| Nkhata Bay | $571 | 85/100 | 100/200 | 41/100 | 39 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Malawi
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Malawi
Pollution Index
47/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
23.7ug/m3
Moderate
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Malawi, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Malawi?
Malawi has a cost of living index of 29 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $598 in Zomba and reach $742 in Lilongwe.
What is the cheapest city in Malawi for expats?
Zomba is the most affordable city in Malawi in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $598 for a single person including rent. Mzuzu is the next most affordable at $620/mo.
Is Malawi safe for expats?
Malawi has a safety index of 83/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Zomba scores highest on safety at 85/100.
What is the best city in Malawi for expats and digital nomads?
Zomba ranks highest for quality of life in Malawi, scoring 100/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $598/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in Malawi?
Malawi scores 45/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Malawi cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Malawi's cost of living is roughly 71% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 78% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Malawi
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
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Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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