Cost of living in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 71% cheaper than in Singapore
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 795 prices entered by 137 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 50% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johor Bahru | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM26 (SGD $7) | SGD $11 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 (SGD $4.73) | SGD $9 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (SGD $2.51) | SGD $6 | - 59% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (SGD $1.89) | SGD $3.50 | - 46% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM5.70 (SGD $1.63) | SGD $5.08 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.77 (SGD $1.36) | SGD $3.64 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 (SGD $6) | SGD $13 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 (SGD $3.53) | SGD $5.12 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM3.45 (SGD $0.99) | SGD $3.40 | - 71% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (SGD $3.39) | SGD $5.75 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM76 (SGD $22) | SGD $34 | - 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.36 (SGD $1.25) | SGD $2.96 | - 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.55 (SGD $1.01) | SGD $2.88 | - 65% | |
| Housing | - 82% | |||
| Housing in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 82% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johor Bahru | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,180 (SGD $908) | SGD $7,037 | - 87% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,840 (SGD $526) | SGD $4,873 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM215 (SGD $62) | SGD $282 | - 78% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,697 (SGD $485) | SGD $4,197 | - 88% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,132 (SGD $323) | SGD $3,058 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM195 (SGD $56) | SGD $154 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM129 (SGD $37) | SGD $45 | - 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,466 (SGD $419) | SGD $827 | - 49% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM457 (SGD $131) | SGD $190 | - 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM27 (SGD $8) | SGD $12 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (SGD $10) | SGD $19 | - 46% | |
| Clothes | - 33% | |||
| Clothes in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 33% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johor Bahru | Singapore | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM222 (SGD $63) | SGD $102 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM157 (SGD $45) | SGD $58 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM300 (SGD $86) | SGD $155 | - 45% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM299 (SGD $85) | SGD $157 | - 46% | |
| Transportation | - 74% | |||
| Transportation in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 74% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johor Bahru | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM151,448 (SGD $43,266) | SGD $157,222 | - 72% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.18 (SGD $0.62) | SGD $2.95 | - 79% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM107 (SGD $30) | SGD $121 | - 75% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | RM16 (SGD $4.58) | SGD $16 | - 71% | |
| Personal Care | - 61% | |||
| Personal Care in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 61% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johor Bahru | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (SGD $4.00) | SGD $13 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM27 (SGD $8) | SGD $20 | - 61% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM93 (SGD $26) | SGD $67 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM22 (SGD $6) | SGD $14 | - 53% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM9 (SGD $2.45) | SGD $5.44 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 (SGD $4.09) | SGD $11 | - 64% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (SGD $2.34) | SGD $3.89 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (SGD $2.04) | SGD $4.03 | - 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (SGD $9) | SGD $42 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 63% | |||
| Entertainment in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) is 63% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Johor Bahru | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM88 (SGD $25) | SGD $75 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM35 (SGD $10) | SGD $29 | - 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM175 (SGD $50) | SGD $212 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM144 (SGD $41) | SGD $109 | - 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM29 (SGD $8) | SGD $22 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (SGD $3.82) | SGD $6 | - 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM17 (SGD $4.78) | SGD $11 | - 55% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,128 (SGD $608) | SGD $922 | - 34% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.25 (SGD $0.07) | SGD $0.19 | - 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM127 (SGD $36) | SGD $158 | - 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (SGD $4.92) | SGD $15 | - 67% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 71% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 795 prices entered by 137 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.28568
SGD
/
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require SGD $23,000 in Singapore you would need to make just about SGD $6,632 (RM23,215) in Johor Bahru.
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