Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 56% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
How much money will you need in Kuala Lumpur?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,038 prices entered by 190 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 24% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM22 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 45 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM20 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 34 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM13 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 17 | - 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 7 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM13 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 12 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 6 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM28 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 17 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM15 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 9 | + 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM8 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 4.48 | + 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 10 | + 18% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM73 (Dirham 61) | Dirham 59 | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (Dirham 5.10) | Dirham 8 | - 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.59 (Dirham 3.85) | Dirham 5.13 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 73% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 73% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,981 (Dirham 3,343) | Dirham 14,724 | - 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,519 (Dirham 2,115) | Dirham 9,417 | - 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM308 (Dirham 258) | Dirham 829 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,551 (Dirham 2,142) | Dirham 8,201 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,576 (Dirham 1,323) | Dirham 5,341 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM204 (Dirham 171) | Dirham 622 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM109 (Dirham 92) | Dirham 336 | - 73% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,390 (Dirham 1,167) | Dirham 770 | + 52% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM386 (Dirham 325) | Dirham 296 | + 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 41 | - 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM52 (Dirham 44) | Dirham 31 | + 43% | |
| Clothes | - 32% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 32% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM247 (Dirham 208) | Dirham 251 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM153 (Dirham 129) | Dirham 220 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM341 (Dirham 287) | Dirham 399 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM321 (Dirham 270) | Dirham 408 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 58% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 58% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM150,590 (Dirham 126,456) | Dirham 92,536 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.48 (Dirham 2.08) | Dirham 2.88 | - 28% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM69 (Dirham 58) | Dirham 303 | - 81% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM31 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 37 | - 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 48% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 25 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM26 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 38 | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM88 (Dirham 74) | Dirham 284 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 21 | + 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 19 | - 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 21 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 10 | - 35% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM10 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 13 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 (Dirham 27) | Dirham 40 | - 34% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 42% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM98 (Dirham 82) | Dirham 147 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM40 (Dirham 33) | Dirham 98 | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM207 (Dirham 174) | Dirham 283 | - 39% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM194 (Dirham 163) | Dirham 275 | - 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM38 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 75 | - 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 22 | - 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 45 | - 57% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,159 (Dirham 1,813) | Dirham 1,999 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.46 (Dirham 0.39) | Dirham 0.56 | - 30% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM209 (Dirham 176) | Dirham 318 | - 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 22 | - 31% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 56% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.840
AED
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,038 prices entered by 190 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is 17% cheaper than in Nicosia
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is 22% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Jakarta is 27% cheaper than in Florianopolis
- Cost of living in Warsaw is 19% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Asunción is 43% cheaper than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Dubai is 35% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Madrid is 17% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Istanbul is 11% more expensive than in Ankara
- Cost of living in New York City is 30% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Dublin is 120% more expensive than in Lima
Compare other countries
Are you moving to Kuala Lumpur? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?
Find out what is the real equivalent in Kuala Lumpur of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.
Get a Salary Calculation for Kuala Lumpur
Do you live in Dubai? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Prague (Czech Republic)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Sofia (Bulgaria)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bekasi (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Palembang (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Belgrade (Serbia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Singapore
- Cost of Living, Prices in Naples (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Perth (Australia)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Madrid costs €15 (1 minute ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Boise, Idaho costs $25 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in La Paz, Mexico costs Mex$ 48,759 (about 4 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Huancayo costs S/. 15 (about 5 hours ago)
- 1 lb of boneless chicken breast in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota costs $9 (about 5 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Heidelberg costs €750 (about 6 hours ago)