Cost of living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia vs San Juan, Puerto Rico
Currency:
Food | - 37% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 37% cheaper than in San Juan (Puerto Rico) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 ($3.92) | $14 | - 71% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM16 ($3.89) | $7 | - 46% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM11 ($2.65) | $3.57 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM6 ($1.57) | $1.76 | - 11% | |
12 eggs, large | RM8 ($2.01) | $3.38 | - 41% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 ($2.02) | $4.54 | - 56% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM26 ($6) | $4.57 | + 41% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM8 ($2.09) | $5.76 | - 64% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM6 ($1.56) | $3.01 | - 48% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 ($2.81) | $1.73 | + 62% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM109 ($27) | $15 | + 79% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.33 ($1.07) | $1.38 | - 23% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.85 ($0.95) | $2.04 | - 54% | |
Housing | - 49% | |||
Housing in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 49% cheaper than in San Juan (Puerto Rico) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM2,774 ($684) | $1,480 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,484 ($366) | $929 | - 61% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM197 ($49) | $166 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,411 ($348) | $751 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM947 ($233) | $526 | - 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM196 ($48) | $122 | - 61% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM125 ($31) | $42 | - 27% | |
40” flat screen tv | RM1,828 ($451) | $358 | + 26% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM623 ($154) | $92 | + 67% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM29 ($7) | $6 | + 17% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM26 ($6) | $16 | - 60% | |
Clothes | - 13% | |||
Clothes in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 13% cheaper than in San Juan (Puerto Rico) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM291 ($72) | $45 | + 60% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM139 ($34) | $50 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM294 ($73) | $86 | - 16% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM319 ($79) | $90 | - 13% | |
Transportation | + 5% | |||
Transportation in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 5% more expensive than in San Juan (Puerto Rico) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM157,792 ($38,900) | $25,348 | + 53% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.22 ($0.55) | $0.75 | - 27% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | RM117 ($29) | $33 | - 11% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM44 ($11) | $19 | - 42% | |
Personal Care | - 47% | |||
Personal Care in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 47% cheaper than in San Juan (Puerto Rico) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM12 ($2.93) | $6 | - 54% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM20 ($4.86) | $12 | - 61% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM79 ($19) | $38 | - 49% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM34 ($8) | $5.84 | + 42% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM7 ($1.76) | $3.56 | - 51% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM12 ($2.99) | $4.19 | - 28% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.06 ($1.25) | $3.00 | - 58% | |
Tube of toothpaste | RM7 ($1.76) | $2.31 | - 24% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM39 ($10) | $23 | - 58% | |
Entertainment | - 13% | |||
Entertainment in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 13% cheaper than in San Juan (Puerto Rico) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM61 ($15) | $37 | - 59% | |
2 tickets to the movies | RM26 ($6) | $16 | - 59% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM37 ($9) | $60 | - 85% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM114 ($28) | $69 | - 60% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM26 ($6) | $8 | - 20% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM12 ($3.05) | $3.24 | - 6% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM16 ($3.86) | $2.85 | + 35% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,915 ($472) | $462 | + 2% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM1.36 ($0.34) | $0.12 | + 180% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | RM180 ($44) | $35 | + 26% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 ($4.08) | $9 | - 56% | |
TOTAL | - 29% |

These prices were last updated on March 03, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.24653
USD
/
MYR
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Cost of living in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) is 29% cheaper than in San Juan (Puerto Rico)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,500 in San Juan you would need to make just about $3,212 (RM13,030) in Kota Kinabalu.
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