- Cost of Living
- Malaysia
- United Arab Emirates
- Shah Alam
- Abu Dhabi
- Comparison
Cost of living in Shah Alam, Malaysia compared to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Currency:
Food | - 34% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 34% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM13 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 25 | - 51% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM13 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 26 | - 52% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 11 | - 41% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 8 | - 18% | |
12 eggs, large | RM5.91 (Dirham 5.57) | Dirham 11 | - 48% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.50 (Dirham 4.24) | Dirham 6 | - 32% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM25 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 15 | + 54% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 8 | + 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM3.43 (Dirham 3.23) | Dirham 9 | - 64% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 9 | - 6% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM72 (Dirham 68) | Dirham 48 | + 43% | |
2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM4.08 (Dirham 3.85) | Dirham 7 | - 42% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM2.59 (Dirham 2.44) | Dirham 4.56 | - 47% | |
Housing | - 70% | |||
Housing in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 70% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,528 (Dirham 2,382) | Dirham 13,583 | - 82% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | RM1,774 (Dirham 1,672) | Dirham 11,205 | - 85% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM218 (Dirham 206) | Dirham 260 | - 21% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,081 (Dirham 1,961) | Dirham 7,278 | - 73% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | RM1,376 (Dirham 1,297) | Dirham 5,409 | - 76% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | RM900 (Dirham 848) | Dirham 130 | + 553% | |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | RM143 (Dirham 135) | Dirham 294 | - 54% | |
40” flat screen TV | RM1,655 (Dirham 1,560) | Dirham 1,665 | - 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM478 (Dirham 450) | Dirham 521 | - 14% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM21 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 27 | - 27% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM16 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 42 | - 63% | |
Clothes | - 25% | |||
Clothes in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 25% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | RM212 (Dirham 200) | Dirham 231 | - 14% | |
1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | RM153 (Dirham 144) | Dirham 196 | - 26% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM247 (Dirham 232) | Dirham 329 | - 29% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM250 (Dirham 236) | Dirham 355 | - 34% | |
Transportation | + 62% | |||
Transportation in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 62% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM158,963 (Dirham 149,825) | Dirham 76,866 | + 95% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.15 (Dirham 2.03) | Dirham 1.81 | + 12% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM146 (Dirham 138) | Dirham 80 | + 72% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM15 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 39 | - 64% | |
Personal Care | - 50% | |||
Personal Care in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 50% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM26 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 18 | + 40% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM40 (Dirham 38) | Dirham 67 | - 44% | |
Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | RM60 (Dirham 57) | Dirham 283 | - 80% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM17 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 26 | - 38% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 16 | - 38% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM18 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 17 | + 3% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM6 (Dirham 5.89) | Dirham 9 | - 37% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM5.76 (Dirham 5.43) | Dirham 17 | - 68% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM30 (Dirham 28) | Dirham 53 | - 47% | |
Entertainment | - 32% | |||
Entertainment in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 32% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM64 (Dirham 60) | Dirham 202 | - 70% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM29 (Dirham 28) | Dirham 70 | - 61% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM206 (Dirham 194) | Dirham 409 | - 52% | |
Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM199 (Dirham 188) | Dirham 150 | + 25% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM57 (Dirham 53) | Dirham 71 | - 25% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 15 | - 14% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM44 (Dirham 42) | Dirham 30 | + 39% | |
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | RM2,038 (Dirham 1,921) | Dirham 2,094 | - 8% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | Dirham 0.38 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM136 (Dirham 128) | Dirham 371 | - 65% | |
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | RM15 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 10 | + 38% | |
TOTAL | - 42% |

These prices were last updated on April 24, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.943
AED
/
MYR
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Cost of living in Shah Alam (Malaysia) is 42% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
Dirham 40,000
in Abu Dhabi
you would need to make just about Dirham 23,359
(RM24,784)
in Shah Alam.
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