Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 34% more expensive than in Dalian (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 472 prices entered by 62 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 36% more expensive than in Dalian (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM23 (38元) | 60元 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM20 (34元) | 31元 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM12 (21元) | 10元 | + 103% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 (15元) | 10元 | + 42% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM12 (21元) | 16元 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM7 (11元) | 8元 | + 40% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM28 (47元) | 55元 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM15 (24元) | 10元 | + 141% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.64 (9元) | 5.81元 | + 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (22元) | 4.51元 | + 397% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM73 (123元) | 88元 | + 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (10元) | 7元 | + 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.59 (8元) | 6元 | + 20% | |
| Housing | + 55% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 55% more expensive than in Dalian (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,466 (5,816元) | 4,086元 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,259 (3,791元) | 2,915元 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM237 (398元) | 250元 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,681 (4,499元) | 2,550元 | + 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,593 (2,674元) | 1,835元 | + 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM166 (279元) | 201元 | + 39% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM102 (172元) | 92元 | + 87% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,390 (2,333元) | 2,612元 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM386 (649元) | 327元 | + 99% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 (41元) | 30元 | + 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 (59元) | 39元 | + 50% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Dalian (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM247 (415元) | 365元 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM153 (257元) | 379元 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM468 (786元) | 484元 | + 62% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM466 (782元) | 308元 | + 154% | |
| Transportation | + 47% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 47% more expensive than in Dalian (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM150,590 (252,716元) | 184,335元 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.48 (4.17元) | 7元 | - 37% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM108 (181元) | 62元 | + 192% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM36 (60元) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | - 2% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Dalian (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (23元) | 25元 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM26 (44元) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM88 (148元) | 150元 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (44元) | 61元 | - 28% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (23元) | 25元 | - 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (26元) | 27元 | - 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (12元) | 9元 | + 33% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM10 (16元) | 16元 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 (53元) | 39元 | + 36% | |
| Entertainment | + 20% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 20% more expensive than in Dalian (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dalian | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM98 (164元) | 92元 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM40 (67元) | 90元 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM207 (348元) | 165元 | + 111% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM194 (325元) | 317元 | + 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM38 (63元) | 44元 | + 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (23元) | 32元 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (39元) | 28元 | + 42% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,159 (3,623元) | 3,000元 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.46 (0.78元) | 1.00元 | - 22% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM247 (415元) | 230元 | + 81% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (30元) | 14元 | + 108% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 34% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 472 prices entered by 62 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.678
CNY
/
MYR
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For example, you would need at least 14,733元 (RM8,779) in Kuala Lumpur to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 11,000元 in Dalian.
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