Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 58% cheaper than in Hong Kong
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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 780 prices entered by 115 different people.
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| Food | - 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 36% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM23 (HK$41) | HK$80 | - 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM20 (HK$37) | HK$50 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM12 (HK$22) | HK$39 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 (HK$16) | HK$25 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM12 (HK$23) | HK$31 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM7 (HK$12) | HK$25 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM28 (HK$51) | HK$98 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM15 (HK$26) | HK$30 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.64 (HK$10) | HK$20 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (HK$24) | HK$18 | + 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM73 (HK$133) | HK$210 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (HK$11) | HK$18 | - 37% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.59 (HK$8) | HK$19 | - 56% | |
| Housing | - 76% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 76% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,466 (HK$6,303) | HK$39,997 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,259 (HK$4,109) | HK$27,737 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM237 (HK$431) | HK$1,566 | - 72% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,681 (HK$4,876) | HK$19,653 | - 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,593 (HK$2,898) | HK$13,702 | - 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM166 (HK$303) | HK$878 | - 66% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM102 (HK$186) | HK$190 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,390 (HK$2,529) | HK$3,679 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM386 (HK$703) | HK$1,234 | - 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 (HK$45) | HK$101 | - 56% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 (HK$64) | HK$84 | - 24% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 14% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM247 (HK$450) | HK$615 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM153 (HK$278) | HK$310 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM468 (HK$851) | HK$716 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM466 (HK$847) | HK$1,097 | - 23% | |
| Transportation | - 56% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 56% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM150,590 (HK$273,901) | HK$295,916 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.48 (HK$4.51) | HK$24 | - 81% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM108 (HK$196) | HK$550 | - 64% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM36 (HK$65) | HK$117 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 52% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (HK$25) | HK$70 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM26 (HK$47) | HK$119 | - 60% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM88 (HK$160) | HK$506 | - 68% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (HK$48) | HK$67 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (HK$25) | HK$38 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (HK$28) | HK$53 | - 47% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (HK$14) | HK$15 | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM10 (HK$18) | HK$21 | - 17% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 (HK$58) | HK$232 | - 75% | |
| Entertainment | - 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 38% cheaper than in Hong Kong | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Hong Kong | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM98 (HK$178) | HK$352 | - 50% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM40 (HK$73) | HK$201 | - 64% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM207 (HK$377) | HK$1,069 | - 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM194 (HK$353) | HK$554 | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM38 (HK$68) | HK$141 | - 51% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (HK$25) | HK$41 | - 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (HK$43) | HK$60 | - 29% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,159 (HK$3,926) | HK$3,953 | - 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.46 (HK$0.84) | HK$0.87 | - 3% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM247 (HK$450) | HK$638 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (HK$32) | HK$102 | - 68% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 58% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 780 prices entered by 115 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.819
HKD
/
MYR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require HK$131,000 in Hong Kong you would need to make just about HK$55,672 (RM30,608) in Kuala Lumpur.
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