Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 80% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 335 prices entered by 53 different people.
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| Food | + 61% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 61% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 31 (RM37) | RM21 | + 82% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 30 (RM36) | RM15 | + 134% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (RM20) | RM10 | + 105% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (RM7) | RM6 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 12 (RM14) | RM7 | + 97% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (RM7) | RM4.81 | + 54% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 15 (RM18) | RM18 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 9 (RM10) | RM13 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.00 (RM5.99) | RM4.21 | + 42% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | RM11 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | RM81 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (RM10) | RM4.73 | + 111% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.99 (RM4.78) | RM3.10 | + 54% | |
| Housing | + 178% | |||
| Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 178% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,735 (RM9,266) | RM2,798 | + 231% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,263 (RM5,106) | RM1,774 | + 188% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 653 (RM782) | RM311 | + 152% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,583 (RM5,490) | RM1,597 | + 244% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,013 (RM3,609) | RM912 | + 296% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 493 (RM590) | RM575 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 255 (RM305) | RM112 | + 172% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,495 (RM1,791) | RM1,579 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 483 (RM579) | RM480 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 36 (RM43) | RM20 | + 114% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 42 (RM50) | RM26 | + 92% | |
| Clothes | + 34% | |||
| Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 34% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 181 (RM217) | RM217 | - 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 213 (RM256) | RM171 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 399 (RM478) | RM320 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 337 (RM404) | RM384 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 21% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 94,922 (RM113,708) | RM143,076 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.36 (RM2.83) | RM2.11 | + 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 142 (RM170) | RM128 | + 33% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 60 (RM72) | RM16 | + 356% | |
| Personal Care | + 112% | |||
| Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 112% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 9 (RM11) | RM16 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 75 (RM90) | RM27 | + 231% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 189 (RM226) | RM68 | + 232% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 21 (RM25) | RM22 | + 13% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 22 (RM27) | RM11 | + 149% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 (RM19) | RM14 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 10 (RM12) | RM8 | + 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 (RM23) | RM8 | + 175% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 (RM39) | RM30 | + 30% | |
| Entertainment | + 85% | |||
| Entertainment in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 85% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 210 (RM251) | RM125 | + 101% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 123 (RM147) | RM53 | + 176% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 308 (RM369) | RM175 | + 111% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 218 (RM261) | RM210 | + 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | RM62 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 (RM22) | RM14 | + 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | RM18 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,618 (RM3,136) | RM2,126 | + 47% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.40 (RM0.48) | RM0.27 | + 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 395 (RM473) | RM122 | + 287% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 27 (RM32) | RM17 | + 86% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 80% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 335 prices entered by 53 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.198
MYR
/
SAR
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For example, you would need at least RM14,787 (﷼ 12,344) in Riyadh to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,200 in Johor Bahru.
Do you live in Johor Bahru? We need your help!
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