Cost of living in Beijing (China) is 15% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Johor Bahru or in Beijing? You can help!
Improve the prices for Johor Bahru! Improve the prices for Beijing!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 73 prices entered by 16 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Beijing (China) is 10% cheaper than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 47元 (RM28) | RM21 | + 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 36元 (RM21) | RM20 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 12元 (RM7) | RM13 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 12元 (RM7) | RM8 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 17元 (RM10) | RM7 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 10元 (RM5.63) | RM4.81 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 54元 (RM32) | RM18 | + 78% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 15元 (RM9) | RM12 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (RM3.62) | RM4.21 | - 14% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 6元 (RM3.70) | RM11 | - 65% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 79元 (RM47) | RM87 | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (RM4.95) | RM4.73 | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 10元 (RM5.97) | RM4.20 | + 42% | |
| Housing | + 77% | |||
| Housing in Beijing (China) is 77% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 13,993元 (RM8,278) | RM3,165 | + 162% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 8,120元 (RM4,804) | RM1,897 | + 153% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 382元 (RM226) | RM323 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,358元 (RM4,353) | RM1,535 | + 184% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 4,126元 (RM2,441) | RM955 | + 156% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 193元 (RM114) | RM218 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 91元 (RM54) | RM112 | - 52% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,862元 (RM1,101) | RM1,579 | - 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 560元 (RM331) | RM480 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 34元 (RM20) | RM20 | + 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 56元 (RM33) | RM41 | - 19% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Beijing (China) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 441元 (RM261) | RM217 | + 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 253元 (RM150) | RM171 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 497元 (RM294) | RM333 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 797元 (RM471) | RM384 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | + 6% | |||
| Transportation in Beijing (China) is 6% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 154,765元 (RM91,554) | RM143,076 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (RM4.95) | RM2.11 | + 134% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 249元 (RM148) | RM128 | + 15% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 38元 (RM22) | RM16 | + 39% | |
| Personal Care | + 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Beijing (China) is 35% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 28元 (RM17) | RM16 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 46元 (RM27) | RM27 | - 0% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 242元 (RM143) | RM106 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 43元 (RM25) | RM22 | + 12% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 38元 (RM22) | RM10 | + 128% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (RM15) | RM14 | + 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 10元 (RM5.66) | RM8 | - 30% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 14元 (RM8) | RM8 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 86元 (RM51) | RM29 | + 76% | |
| Entertainment | - 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Beijing (China) is 10% cheaper than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Beijing | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 239元 (RM141) | RM134 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 120元 (RM71) | RM53 | + 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 951元 (RM563) | RM175 | + 222% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 200元 (RM118) | RM261 | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 73元 (RM43) | RM58 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (RM17) | RM15 | + 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10元 (RM6) | RM21 | - 70% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,423元 (RM2,025) | RM2,126 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.41元 (RM0.25) | RM0.27 | - 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 389元 (RM230) | RM146 | + 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 20元 (RM12) | RM17 | - 32% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 15% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 73 prices entered by 16 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.592
MYR
/
CNY
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Kalamata is 54% cheaper than in Sacramento, California
- Cost of living in Guatemala City is 27% more expensive than in Lima
- Cost of living in Canberra is 83% more expensive than in Toluca
- Cost of living in Copenhagen is 13% more expensive than in Sydney
- Cost of living in Madrid is 33% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in Delhi is 69% cheaper than in Tampa, Florida
- Cost of living in Guam is 67% more expensive than in Springfield, Missouri
- Cost of living in Johannesburg is 142% more expensive than in Lagos
- Cost of living in Heraklion is 44% cheaper than in Sacramento, California
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least RM10,044 (16,978元) in Beijing to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,700 in Johor Bahru.
Do you live in Johor Bahru? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Hong Kong
- Cost of Living, Prices in Yogyakarta (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dhaka (Bangladesh)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kampung Baru Subang (Malaysia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Seoul (South Korea)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Padang (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Shanghai (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bandar Lampung (Indonesia)
Prices recently added
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Portland, Oregon costs $1,931 (about 6 hours ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Bucharest costs 50 lei (about 7 hours ago)
- Utilities, monthly for 2 people in 85 m2 in Tuxtla Gutiérrez costs Mex$ 600 (about 11 hours ago)
- 1 us gal of whole fat milk in Salt Lake City, Utah costs $0.97 (about 11 hours ago)