Cost of living comparison between Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore (Singapore)
| Food | 39% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 39% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | RM12.63 (SGD $5.14) | SGD $12.04 | 57% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM10.82 (SGD $4.41) | SGD $7.03 | 37% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | RM6.62 (SGD $2.70) | SGD $6.14 | 56% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM5.90 (SGD $2.40) | SGD $3.08 | 22% |
| 12 eggs, large | RM5.17 (SGD $2.10) | SGD $2.93 | 28% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.43 (SGD $1.80) | SGD $3.41 | 47% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM12.50 (SGD $5.09) | SGD $9.19 | 45% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM9.48 (SGD $3.86) | SGD $3.79 | 2% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | RM7.17 (SGD $2.92) | SGD $4.02 | 27% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | RM8.80 (SGD $3.58) | SGD $4.77 | 25% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM61 (SGD $25) | SGD $36 | 30% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM4.33 (SGD $1.77) | SGD $2.49 | 29% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.27 (SGD $1.33) | SGD $2.29 | 42% |
| Housing | 65% | ||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 65% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | RM3,109 (SGD $1,266) | SGD $4,588 | 72% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM259 (SGD $105) | SGD $206 | 49% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | RM144 (SGD $59) | SGD $50 | 17% |
| 40” flat screen TV | RM2,638 (SGD $1,075) | SGD $1,037 | 4% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | RM753 (SGD $307) | SGD $199 | 55% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM17.17 (SGD $6.99) | SGD $9.81 | 29% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM19.30 (SGD $7.86) | SGD $13.14 | 40% |
| Clothes | 7% | ||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 7% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | RM251 (SGD $102) | SGD $117 | 12% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | RM186 (SGD $76) | SGD $81 | 7% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | RM304 (SGD $124) | SGD $121 | 2% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | RM247 (SGD $101) | SGD $107 | 6% |
| Transportation | 42% | ||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 42% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM173,333 (SGD $70,601) | SGD $127,963 | 45% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM1.91 (SGD $0.78) | SGD $2.01 | 61% |
| monthly ticket public transport | RM129 (SGD $53) | SGD $75 | 30% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | RM26 (SGD $10.73) | SGD $11.45 | 6% |
| Personal Care | 35% | ||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 35% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | RM17.43 (SGD $7.10) | SGD $11.91 | 40% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM16.56 (SGD $6.74) | SGD $9.62 | 30% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM8.89 (SGD $3.62) | SGD $4.43 | 18% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM12.50 (SGD $5.09) | SGD $8.09 | 37% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.60 (SGD $2.28) | SGD $2.85 | 20% |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM5.40 (SGD $2.20) | SGD $3.31 | 34% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (SGD $13.24) | SGD $27 | 50% |
| Entertainment | 34% | ||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 34% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM91 (SGD $37) | SGD $46 | 19% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM25 (SGD $9.99) | SGD $20 | 51% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM146 (SGD $59) | SGD $224 | 73% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | RM238 (SGD $97) | SGD $142 | 32% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM27 (SGD $10.97) | SGD $16.97 | 35% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | RM12.60 (SGD $5.13) | SGD $6.00 | 14% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | RM18.40 (SGD $7.49) | SGD $8.93 | 16% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | RM555 (SGD $226) | SGD $219 | 3% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.31 (SGD $0.13) | SGD $0.20 | 36% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | RM171 (SGD $70) | SGD $125 | 44% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | RM10 (SGD $4.07) | SGD $12.08 | 66% |
| TOTAL | 48% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 6,297 prices entered by 647 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2012.
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Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 48% cheaper than in Singapore (Singapore)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
SGD $24,000
in Singapore
you would need to make just about SGD $12,451
(RM30,568)
in Kuala Lumpur.