Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
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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 259 prices entered by 86 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM17 | RM26 | - 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM18 | RM17 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 | RM9 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 | RM7 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM10 | RM5.70 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 | RM4.77 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 | RM21 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 | RM12 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.58 | RM3.45 | + 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 | RM12 | + 2% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM67 | RM76 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.65 | RM4.36 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.71 | RM3.55 | + 4% | |
| Housing | + 19% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 19% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM4,311 | RM3,180 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,413 | RM1,840 | + 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM305 | RM215 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,245 | RM1,697 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,383 | RM1,132 | + 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM243 | RM195 | + 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM112 | RM129 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,817 | RM1,466 | + 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM511 | RM457 | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM29 | RM27 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 | RM36 | - 3% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM223 | RM222 | + 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM139 | RM157 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM327 | RM300 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM388 | RM299 | + 30% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 19% cheaper than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM151,617 | RM151,448 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.07 | RM2.18 | - 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM51 | RM107 | - 52% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM41 | RM16 | + 155% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is about the same as in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 | RM14 | + 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM24 | RM27 | - 11% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM77 | RM93 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 | RM22 | - 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 | RM9 | + 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM13 | RM14 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 | RM8 | - 8% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 | RM7 | + 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM41 | RM33 | + 23% | |
| Entertainment | + 14% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 14% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM90 | RM88 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM41 | RM35 | + 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 | RM175 | + 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM130 | RM144 | - 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM37 | RM29 | + 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM17 | RM13 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM20 | RM17 | + 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,985 | RM2,128 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.35 | RM0.25 | + 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM203 | RM127 | + 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 | RM17 | + 4% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 1% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 259 prices entered by 86 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
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