Cost of living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia vs Newcastle, Australia
Currency:
Food | - 40% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 40% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 (AU$5.00) | AU$17 | - 71% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM16 (AU$4.96) | AU$11 | - 57% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM11 (AU$3.37) | AU$4.99 | - 32% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM6 (AU$2.00) | AU$1.27 | + 58% | |
12 eggs, large | RM8 (AU$2.56) | AU$4.99 | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 (AU$2.57) | AU$4.99 | - 48% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM26 (AU$8) | AU$10 | - 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM8 (AU$2.66) | AU$4.35 | - 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM6 (AU$1.99) | AU$3.46 | - 43% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 (AU$3.58) | AU$4.73 | - 24% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM109 (AU$34) | AU$16 | + 108% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.33 (AU$1.36) | AU$3.13 | - 57% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.85 (AU$1.21) | AU$1.79 | - 32% | |
Housing | - 61% | |||
Housing in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 61% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM2,774 (AU$872) | AU$2,461 | - 65% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,484 (AU$467) | AU$1,879 | - 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM197 (AU$62) | AU$140 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,411 (AU$443) | AU$1,843 | - 76% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM947 (AU$298) | AU$1,301 | - 77% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM196 (AU$62) | AU$92 | - 33% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM125 (AU$39) | AU$52 | - 25% | |
40” flat screen tv | RM1,828 (AU$575) | AU$573 | + 0% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM623 (AU$196) | AU$177 | + 11% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM29 (AU$9) | AU$12 | - 25% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM26 (AU$8) | AU$28 | - 70% | |
Clothes | - 23% | |||
Clothes in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 23% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM291 (AU$91) | AU$100 | - 9% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM139 (AU$44) | AU$60 | - 27% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM294 (AU$93) | AU$157 | - 41% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM319 (AU$100) | AU$117 | - 14% | |
Transportation | - 33% | |||
Transportation in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 33% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM157,792 (AU$49,600) | AU$25,963 | + 91% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.22 (AU$0.70) | AU$1.45 | - 52% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM117 (AU$37) | AU$100 | - 63% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM44 (AU$14) | AU$21 | - 33% | |
Personal Care | - 51% | |||
Personal Care in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 51% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM12 (AU$3.74) | AU$12 | - 69% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM20 (AU$6) | AU$16 | - 60% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM79 (AU$25) | AU$71 | - 65% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM34 (AU$11) | AU$6 | + 73% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM7 (AU$2.24) | AU$4.60 | - 51% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM12 (AU$3.82) | AU$5.36 | - 29% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.06 (AU$1.59) | AU$3.19 | - 50% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (AU$2.24) | AU$3.88 | - 42% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM39 (AU$12) | AU$25 | - 51% | |
Entertainment | - 49% | |||
Entertainment in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 49% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM61 (AU$19) | AU$52 | - 63% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM26 (AU$8) | AU$27 | - 69% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM37 (AU$12) | AU$162 | - 93% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM114 (AU$36) | AU$108 | - 67% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM26 (AU$8) | AU$14 | - 43% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM12 (AU$3.89) | AU$4.46 | - 13% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM16 (AU$4.92) | AU$7 | - 28% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,915 (AU$602) | AU$594 | + 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM1.36 (AU$0.43) | AU$0.83 | - 49% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM180 (AU$57) | AU$53 | + 7% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (AU$5.21) | AU$27 | - 81% | |
TOTAL | - 46% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.31434
AUD
/
MYR
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Cost of living in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 46% cheaper than in Newcastle (Australia)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$8,100 in Newcastle you would need to make just about AU$4,359 (RM13,867) in Kota Kinabalu.
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