Cost of living in Kuching, Malaysia vs San Francisco, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 66% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kuching (Malaysia) is 66% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM13 ($3.30) | $18 | - 82% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM13 ($3.21) | $9 | - 65% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM7 ($1.64) | $5.20 | - 68% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM5.83 ($1.44) | $1.16 | + 24% | |
12 eggs, large | RM6 ($1.49) | $5.18 | - 71% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.75 ($1.17) | $4.92 | - 76% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 ($5.13) | $12 | - 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 ($2.71) | $4.15 | - 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.25 ($1.29) | $2.18 | - 41% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM9 ($2.32) | $5.54 | - 58% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM70 ($17) | $18 | - 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | RM3.88 ($0.96) | $2.51 | - 62% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.27 ($0.81) | $3.82 | - 79% | |
Housing | - 79% | |||
Housing in Kuching (Malaysia) is 79% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM2,785 ($687) | $3,960 | - 83% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,570 ($387) | $3,733 | - 90% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM219 ($54) | $128 | - 58% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,864 ($460) | $2,888 | - 84% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,087 ($268) | $2,294 | - 88% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM136 ($33) | $101 | - 67% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM149 ($37) | $48 | - 24% | |
40” flat screen tv | RM2,086 ($514) | $518 | - 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM517 ($127) | $139 | - 9% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM22 ($5.42) | $11 | - 52% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM17 ($4.20) | $42 | - 90% | |
Clothes | - 30% | |||
Clothes in Kuching (Malaysia) is 30% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM269 ($66) | $62 | + 6% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM127 ($31) | $46 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM243 ($60) | $105 | - 43% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM254 ($63) | $171 | - 63% | |
Transportation | - 35% | |||
Transportation in Kuching (Malaysia) is 35% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM142,475 ($35,131) | $23,115 | + 52% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.16 ($0.53) | $0.95 | - 44% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM154 ($38) | $92 | - 59% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM65 ($16) | $19 | - 13% | |
Personal Care | - 69% | |||
Personal Care in Kuching (Malaysia) is 69% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM11 ($2.79) | $9 | - 68% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM21 ($5.18) | $12 | - 57% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM48 ($12) | $132 | - 91% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM17 ($4.11) | $7 | - 42% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM13 ($3.08) | $4.80 | - 36% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 ($3.53) | $8 | - 57% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.31 ($1.31) | $4.63 | - 72% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM5.62 ($1.39) | $2.49 | - 44% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM23 ($5.64) | $32 | - 83% | |
Entertainment | - 68% | |||
Entertainment in Kuching (Malaysia) is 68% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM65 ($16) | $61 | - 74% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM27 ($7) | $31 | - 79% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM69 ($17) | $263 | - 94% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM137 ($34) | $109 | - 69% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM23 ($5.74) | $15 | - 61% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 ($3.57) | $5.19 | - 31% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM13 ($3.10) | $8 | - 63% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,924 ($474) | $405 | + 17% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.29 ($0.07) | $0.35 | - 80% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM114 ($28) | $111 | - 75% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM14 ($3.34) | $11 | - 70% | |
TOTAL | - 65% |

These prices were last updated on March 01, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.24658
USD
/
MYR
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Cost of living in Kuching (Malaysia) is 65% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $12,000 in San Francisco, California you would need to make just about $4,212 (RM17,083) in Kuching.
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