- Cost of Living
- Malaysia
- China
- Comparison
Cost of living in Malaysia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 21% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 21% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM17 (元28) | 元53 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | RM15 (元24) | 元33 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM7 (元12) | 元15 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (元12) | 元16 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM7 (元12) | 元16 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.42 (元7) | 元8 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM23 (元38) | 元62 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 (元16) | 元14 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.09 (元7) | 元7 | + 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 (元18) | 元5.68 | + 210% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM68 (元113) | 元113 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | RM4.13 (元7) | 元8 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.26 (元5.39) | 元13 | - 58% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 30% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,865 (元4,742) | 元9,961 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | RM1,641 (元2,716) | 元4,816 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM222 (元367) | 元445 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | RM2,034 (元3,367) | 元5,460 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | RM1,229 (元2,034) | 元3,552 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | RM197 (元325) | 元317 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | RM128 (元212) | 元84 | + 153% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | RM1,556 (元2,575) | 元2,420 | + 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM453 (元750) | 元670 | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM19 (元31) | 元40 | - 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM21 (元35) | 元39 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 17% cheaper than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | RM255 (元422) | 元528 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | RM144 (元239) | 元270 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM274 (元454) | 元621 | - 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM299 (元494) | 元680 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | + 30% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 30% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM135,714 (元224,638) | 元141,253 | + 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.26 (元3.74) | 元7 | - 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM134 (元221) | 元146 | + 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 36% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 (元27) | 元26 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM25 (元42) | 元40 | + 6% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | RM65 (元107) | 元263 | - 59% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | RM22 (元36) | 元30 | + 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (元18) | 元38 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (元25) | 元39 | - 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.24 (元9) | 元9 | - 6% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM5.50 (元9) | 元13 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 (元53) | 元60 | - 11% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM73 (元120) | 元165 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM30 (元50) | 元93 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM215 (元356) | 元826 | - 57% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM134 (元221) | 元403 | - 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM32 (元53) | 元61 | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (元24) | 元34 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 (元31) | 元32 | - 3% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | RM1,949 (元3,226) | 元3,320 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.33 (元0.55) | 元0.65 | - 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM150 (元249) | 元355 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (元28) | 元21 | + 37% | |
| TOTAL | - 15% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 21, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1.655
CNY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 7,429 prices entered by 1,032 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 15% cheaper than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 122% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Armenia is 34% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 40% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China
- Cost of living in Albania is 22% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in China
- Cost of living in Andorra is 40% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Angola is 90% more expensive than in China