Cost of living in Malaysia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 11% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM20 (34元) | 42元 | - 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM16 (26元) | 34元 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (14元) | 15元 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM6 (11元) | 15元 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM8 (13元) | 13元 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.46 (7元) | 8元 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM22 (36元) | 47元 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 (16元) | 14元 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.51 (7元) | 5.82元 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 (18元) | 5.43元 | + 226% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM75 (123元) | 103元 | + 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM3.92 (6元) | 8元 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.47 (5.72元) | 14元 | - 59% | |
| Housing | - 21% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 21% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,362 (5,534元) | 8,580元 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,735 (2,855元) | 4,449元 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM226 (373元) | 386元 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,936 (3,187元) | 5,174元 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,170 (1,925元) | 3,034元 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM160 (263元) | 280元 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM109 (179元) | 87元 | + 106% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,319 (2,170元) | 2,283元 | - 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM536 (883元) | 525元 | + 68% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM20 (34元) | 38元 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM27 (45元) | 50元 | - 10% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 5% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM262 (431元) | 443元 | - 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM162 (267元) | 233元 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM298 (491元) | 593元 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM323 (531元) | 532元 | - 0% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 26% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM155,825 (256,478元) | 131,184元 | + 96% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.26 (3.73元) | 7元 | - 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM96 (157元) | 151元 | + 4% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 37% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (23元) | 32元 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM23 (37元) | 34元 | + 11% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM67 (111元) | 357元 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM22 (36元) | 40元 | - 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM13 (21元) | 50元 | - 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 (26元) | 33元 | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (12元) | 8元 | + 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 (13元) | 11元 | + 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 (53元) | 74元 | - 28% | |
| Entertainment | - 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM90 (147元) | 179元 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM37 (61元) | 96元 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM228 (375元) | 1,203元 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM181 (297元) | 359元 | - 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM33 (55元) | 67元 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 (24元) | 32元 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM22 (37元) | 28元 | + 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,865 (3,070元) | 3,283元 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.30 (0.50元) | 0.28元 | + 78% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM170 (280元) | 312元 | - 10% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (28元) | 20元 | + 42% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 02, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.646
CNY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,969 prices entered by 517 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 8% cheaper than in China
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in China
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in China
- Cost of living in Armenia is 31% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Argentina is 33% cheaper than in China
- Cost of living in Albania is 57% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 84% more expensive than in China
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is about the same as in China
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 80% more expensive than in China