Cost of living in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 52% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 93 prices entered by 18 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 39% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 39% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Johor Bahru | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM26 (£4.58) | £15 | - 69% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 (£2.89) | £5.39 | - 46% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (£1.54) | £2.54 | - 40% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (£1.16) | £1.13 | + 3% | |
12 eggs, large | RM5.70 (£1.00) | £2.28 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.77 (£0.83) | £1.79 | - 53% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 (£3.72) | £2.69 | + 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 (£2.16) | £1.84 | + 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM3.45 (£0.60) | £0.85 | - 29% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (£2.07) | £1.60 | + 30% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM76 (£13) | £7 | + 89% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.36 (£0.76) | £1.61 | - 53% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.55 (£0.62) | £1.12 | - 45% | |
Housing | - 53% | |||
Housing in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 53% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Johor Bahru | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,180 (£556) | £1,159 | - 52% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,840 (£322) | £904 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM215 (£38) | £297 | - 87% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,697 (£297) | £569 | - 48% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,132 (£198) | £453 | - 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM195 (£34) | £125 | - 73% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM129 (£22) | £25 | - 11% | |
40” flat screen tv | RM1,466 (£256) | £386 | - 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM457 (£80) | £110 | - 27% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM27 (£4.79) | £7 | - 28% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (£6) | £12 | - 49% | |
Clothes | - 5% | |||
Clothes in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 5% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Johor Bahru | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM222 (£39) | £44 | - 11% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM157 (£27) | £26 | + 5% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM300 (£52) | £54 | - 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM299 (£52) | £74 | - 29% | |
Transportation | - 64% | |||
Transportation in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 64% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Johor Bahru | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM151,448 (£26,463) | £24,333 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.18 (£0.38) | £1.62 | - 77% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM107 (£19) | £89 | - 79% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM16 (£2.80) | £15 | - 82% | |
Personal Care | - 37% | |||
Personal Care in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 37% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Johor Bahru | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (£2.45) | £3.03 | - 19% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM27 (£4.72) | £4.55 | + 4% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM93 (£16) | £62 | - 74% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM22 (£3.92) | £2.75 | + 43% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM9 (£1.50) | £1.32 | + 14% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 (£2.50) | £3.71 | - 33% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (£1.43) | £1.73 | - 17% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (£1.25) | £1.61 | - 22% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (£5.76) | £13 | - 56% | |
Entertainment | - 44% | |||
Entertainment in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 44% cheaper than in Aberdeen (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Johor Bahru | Aberdeen | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM88 (£15) | £31 | - 51% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM35 (£6) | £15 | - 59% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM175 (£31) | £62 | - 51% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM144 (£25) | £50 | - 50% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM29 (£4.99) | £8 | - 38% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (£2.34) | £2.86 | - 18% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM17 (£2.92) | £3.20 | - 9% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,128 (£372) | £389 | - 4% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.25 (£0.04) | £0.09 | - 52% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM127 (£22) | £32 | - 32% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (£3.01) | £13 | - 77% | |
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TOTAL | - 52% |

These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.17473
GBP
/
MYR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £3,700 in Aberdeen you would need to make just about £1,776 (RM10,162) in Johor Bahru.
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