Cost of living in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 33% cheaper than in Beijing (China)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 47 prices entered by 15 different people.
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| Food | - 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 6% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Ipoh | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM14 (23元) | 47元 | - 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM14 (23元) | 36元 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (16元) | 12元 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM5.71 (9元) | 12元 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM6 (10元) | 17元 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (10元) | 10元 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM22 (36元) | 54元 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 (17元) | 15元 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.60 (7元) | 6元 | + 22% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (19元) | 6元 | + 205% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM89 (145元) | 79元 | + 83% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM3.98 (6元) | 10元 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.03 (4.93元) | 10元 | - 51% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 57% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Ipoh | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM1,882 (3,063元) | 16,590元 | - 82% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,041 (1,694元) | 8,120元 | - 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM210 (342元) | 382元 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,455 (2,369元) | 7,358元 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM773 (1,259元) | 4,126元 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM200 (326元) | 193元 | + 69% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM149 (243元) | 91元 | + 168% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,950 (3,175元) | 1,862元 | + 71% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM581 (945元) | 560元 | + 69% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM20 (32元) | 34元 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM18 (29元) | 56元 | - 48% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 17% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Ipoh | Beijing | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM274 (446元) | 441元 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM129 (211元) | 252元 | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM232 (378元) | 597元 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM270 (439元) | 797元 | - 45% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 27% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Ipoh | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM119,800 (195,006元) | 154,765元 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.12 (3.46元) | 8元 | - 59% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM92 (149元) | 249元 | - 40% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM24 (39元) | 37元 | + 3% | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 38% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Ipoh | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM10 (16元) | 28元 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM30 (48元) | 46元 | + 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM66 (108元) | 242元 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM15 (24元) | 43元 | - 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (17元) | 38元 | - 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM17 (27元) | 25元 | + 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM4.47 (7元) | 10元 | - 24% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (11元) | 14元 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM28 (45元) | 86元 | - 47% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in Ipoh (Malaysia) is 21% cheaper than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Ipoh | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM60 (98元) | 239元 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM26 (42元) | 120元 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM270 (439元) | 951元 | - 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM148 (241元) | 200元 | + 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM24 (38元) | 73元 | - 48% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (21元) | 28元 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM18 (29元) | 10元 | + 178% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | 3,423元 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.27 (0.43元) | 0.41元 | + 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM151 (246元) | 389元 | - 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM14 (23元) | 20元 | + 14% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 33% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 47 prices entered by 15 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.628
CNY
/
MYR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 46,000元 in Beijing you would need to make just about 30,737元 (RM18,883) in Ipoh.
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