Blantyre has emerged as the most expensive city in Malawi, with residents facing a staggering monthly basic needs basket cost of K916, 388 for a family of six.
This is according to the latest cost of living report released by the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC).
The February 2025 report, which monitors prices of essential commodities across Malawi’s major urban centres, reveals a troubling upward trend in the cost of living nationwide, with the national average increasing by 14.9 percent from K694,653 in January to K797,908 in February.
Among the six cities surveyed, Blantyre leads with the highest cost of living at K916,388, followed by Zomba at K849,861, and Lilongwe at K828,780.
Mangochi trails with a cost of living of K818,148 whereas Mzuzu’s stood at K787,218. Karonga is somewhat a fair urban place to live in with a cost of living of K587,054.
The report identifies charcoal costs as a significant factor in Blantyre’s high living expenses, with residents paying K142,858 monthly compared to just K27,334 in Mangochi.
Housing in Blantyre also comes at a premium, costing K73, 193 monthly for a three-bedroom house.
Food items, which constitute approximately 67 percent of total household expenses across the surveyed areas, have seen dramatic price increases.
For example, maize, the country’s staple food, recorded alarming price surges, with Lilongwe experiencing a 43.2 percent increase from K59,375 in January to K85,000 in February.
“The rising cost of living in Malawi is placing an unbearable burden on Malawian households, particularly low-income families who are struggling to afford basic necessities. As food prices soar, households are left with little to no money for other essential needs such as education, healthcare and housing,” notes the CfSC report.
The report further reveals that the cost of living has been steadily rising over the past year, from K503,876 in February 2024 to the current K797,908, representing a staggering 58.4 percent increase in just 12 months.
Economics Association of Malawi President Bertha Chikadza said the recent decline in maize prices signifies a fall in inflationary pressures which were coming from maize prices.
She said rising food prices which the country was experiencing was a familiar trend which aligns with seasonal patterns.
In a recent interview, Consumers Association of Malawi Executive Director John Kapito said the economy was undergoing serious challenges which continue to push up the cost of living.
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