Cost of living in Washington D.C. (United States) is 216% 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 318 prices entered by 35 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 158% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Washington D.C. (United States) is 158% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 (RM97) | RM21 | + 371% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (RM53) | RM20 | + 167% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (RM35) | RM13 | + 171% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.13 (RM4.78) | RM8 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.91 (RM25) | RM7 | + 257% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (RM26) | RM4.81 | + 438% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $11 (RM48) | RM18 | + 168% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.61 (RM15) | RM12 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.51 (RM11) | RM4.21 | + 153% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $5.20 (RM22) | RM11 | + 106% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (RM71) | RM87 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.36 (RM14) | RM4.73 | + 202% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.12 (RM13) | RM4.20 | + 216% | |
| Housing | + 402% | |||
| Housing in Washington D.C. (United States) is 402% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,190 (RM17,787) | RM3,165 | + 462% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,969 (RM12,604) | RM1,897 | + 564% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $234 (RM994) | RM323 | + 207% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,981 (RM12,656) | RM1,535 | + 725% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,995 (RM8,471) | RM955 | + 787% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $141 (RM598) | RM218 | + 174% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $68 (RM287) | RM112 | + 155% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $447 (RM1,896) | RM1,579 | + 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $133 (RM564) | RM480 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (RM54) | RM20 | + 173% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (RM170) | RM41 | + 317% | |
| Clothes | + 65% | |||
| Clothes in Washington D.C. (United States) is 65% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 (RM304) | RM217 | + 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $73 (RM308) | RM171 | + 80% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $127 (RM538) | RM333 | + 62% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $154 (RM654) | RM384 | + 70% | |
| Transportation | + 196% | |||
| Transportation in Washington D.C. (United States) is 196% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $29,652 (RM125,888) | RM143,076 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.88 (RM3.74) | RM2.11 | + 77% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $138 (RM587) | RM128 | + 360% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $22 (RM93) | RM16 | + 481% | |
| Personal Care | + 227% | |||
| Personal Care in Washington D.C. (United States) is 227% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (RM35) | RM16 | + 111% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (RM58) | RM27 | + 116% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $197 (RM835) | RM106 | + 690% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (RM41) | RM22 | + 81% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.85 (RM21) | RM10 | + 110% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.79 (RM20) | RM14 | + 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.36 (RM23) | RM8 | + 180% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.56 (RM11) | RM8 | + 29% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $43 (RM183) | RM29 | + 538% | |
| Entertainment | + 150% | |||
| Entertainment in Washington D.C. (United States) is 150% more expensive than in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Washington D.C. | Johor Bahru | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (RM258) | RM134 | + 93% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $31 (RM133) | RM53 | + 150% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $458 (RM1,946) | RM175 | + 1013% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $138 (RM587) | RM261 | + 125% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 (RM73) | RM58 | + 26% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.71 (RM24) | RM15 | + 63% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $10 (RM41) | RM21 | + 96% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $524 (RM2,225) | RM2,126 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.40 (RM1.72) | RM0.27 | + 536% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $108 (RM460) | RM146 | + 214% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 (RM56) | RM17 | + 222% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 216% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 318 prices entered by 35 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.245
MYR
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least RM27,133 ($6,391) in Washington D.C. to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM8,600 in Johor Bahru.
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