Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 72% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
How much money will you need in Kuala Lumpur?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 917 prices entered by 229 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 66% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 66% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 ($3.63) | $23 | - 84% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 ($3.92) | $11 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 ($2.04) | $9 | - 76% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 ($1.51) | $1.28 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 ($2.12) | $5.45 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 ($1.47) | $6 | - 76% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM26 ($5.89) | $8 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 ($2.40) | $5.10 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.79 ($1.09) | $3.58 | - 70% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 ($2.62) | $3.32 | - 21% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM81 ($18) | $18 | + 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM5.12 ($1.16) | $2.89 | - 60% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.52 ($0.80) | $4.08 | - 80% | |
| Housing | - 83% | |||
| Housing in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 83% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,635 ($824) | $6,663 | - 88% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,360 ($535) | $4,015 | - 87% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM288 ($65) | $254 | - 74% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,080 ($472) | $3,690 | - 87% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,473 ($334) | $2,289 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM243 ($55) | $123 | - 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM102 ($23) | $67 | - 65% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,953 ($443) | $324 | + 36% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM393 ($89) | $137 | - 35% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM22 ($4.98) | $13 | - 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM31 ($7) | $28 | - 75% | |
| Clothes | - 49% | |||
| Clothes in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 49% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM208 ($47) | $60 | - 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM111 ($25) | $57 | - 56% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM292 ($66) | $96 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM239 ($54) | $147 | - 63% | |
| Transportation | - 64% | |||
| Transportation in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 64% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM167,242 ($37,932) | $24,664 | + 54% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.05 ($0.46) | $1.31 | - 65% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM93 ($21) | $129 | - 84% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM29 ($6) | $24 | - 73% | |
| Personal Care | - 64% | |||
| Personal Care in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 64% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM18 ($4.02) | $7 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM25 ($5.67) | $18 | - 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM69 ($16) | $105 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 ($4.66) | $9 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 ($2.35) | $4.53 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM13 ($2.99) | $7 | - 58% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 ($1.70) | $4.99 | - 66% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 ($1.76) | $2.33 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM43 ($10) | $31 | - 68% | |
| Entertainment | - 65% | |||
| Entertainment in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is 65% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM84 ($19) | $70 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 ($9) | $36 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 ($46) | $350 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM93 ($21) | $96 | - 78% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM37 ($8) | $18 | - 53% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 ($3.06) | $5.34 | - 43% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 ($4.29) | $8 | - 45% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,985 ($450) | $509 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 ($0.05) | $0.10 | - 45% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM169 ($38) | $109 | - 65% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 ($3.99) | $14 | - 72% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 72% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.22681
USD
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 917 prices entered by 229 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Queretaro is 50% cheaper than in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Cost of living in Dubai is 209% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Bangkok is 88% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Singapore is 58% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in New York City is 20% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in London is 51% more expensive than in Tokyo
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 51% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 50% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Barcelona is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Singapore is 24% more expensive than in Hong Kong
Compare other countries
Are you moving to Kuala Lumpur? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?
Find out what is the real equivalent in Kuala Lumpur of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.
Get a Salary Calculation for Kuala Lumpur
Do you live in New York City? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bogotá (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bandung (Indonesia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mexico City (Mexico)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lima (Peru)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Perth (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Denpasar, Bali costs Rp 160,000 (7 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Zurich costs CHF 32 (32 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Grozny costs руб 90,000 (36 minutes ago)
- 2 liters of coca-cola in Caracas costs $2.00 (43 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Strasbourg costs €25 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality in Lahore costs ₨2,500 (about 4 hours ago)