Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Costa Rica
Currency:
| Food | - 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 47% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Malaysia | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM16 (₡ 1,914) | ₡ 8,247 | - 77% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM18 (₡ 2,166) | ₡ 5,107 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (₡ 1,060) | ₡ 2,307 | - 54% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (₡ 827) | ₡ 984 | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 (₡ 1,143) | ₡ 2,016 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (₡ 786) | ₡ 1,153 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM22 (₡ 2,688) | ₡ 4,180 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 (₡ 1,296) | ₡ 2,429 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.90 (₡ 598) | ₡ 1,191 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (₡ 1,602) | ₡ 900 | + 78% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM74 (₡ 9,071) | ₡ 8,475 | + 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.93 (₡ 601) | ₡ 1,649 | - 64% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.49 (₡ 426) | ₡ 919 | - 54% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 26% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Malaysia | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM2,921 (₡ 356,144) | ₡ 592,020 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,240 (₡ 273,166) | ₡ 300,344 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM284 (₡ 34,675) | ₡ 38,035 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,069 (₡ 252,342) | ₡ 402,494 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,296 (₡ 158,077) | ₡ 232,028 | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM965 (₡ 117,693) | ₡ 29,406 | + 300% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM100 (₡ 12,220) | ₡ 17,100 | - 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM2,327 (₡ 283,821) | ₡ 250,782 | + 13% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM562 (₡ 68,518) | ₡ 70,487 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM28 (₡ 3,420) | ₡ 12,281 | - 72% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (₡ 4,388) | ₡ 2,755 | + 59% | |
| Clothes | - 36% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 36% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Malaysia | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM193 (₡ 23,506) | ₡ 38,857 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM122 (₡ 14,927) | ₡ 23,998 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM296 (₡ 36,147) | ₡ 55,702 | - 35% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM246 (₡ 29,992) | ₡ 36,902 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 40% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 40% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Malaysia | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM162,896 (₡ 19,864,158) | ₡ 16,283,000 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.33 (₡ 285) | ₡ 905 | - 69% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM86 (₡ 10,445) | ₡ 30,682 | - 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 46% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 46% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Malaysia | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM9 (₡ 1,147) | ₡ 3,872 | - 70% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM16 (₡ 1,893) | ₡ 11,044 | - 83% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM149 (₡ 18,112) | ₡ 36,487 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM44 (₡ 5,366) | ₡ 3,038 | + 77% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (₡ 1,323) | ₡ 2,962 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (₡ 1,786) | ₡ 3,612 | - 51% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM20 (₡ 2,480) | ₡ 1,689 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (₡ 910) | ₡ 1,551 | - 41% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM30 (₡ 3,622) | ₡ 7,509 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 22% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 22% cheaper than in Costa Rica | ||||
| Malaysia | Costa Rica | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM126 (₡ 15,351) | ₡ 11,094 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (₡ 4,596) | ₡ 6,850 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM211 (₡ 25,759) | ₡ 16,000 | + 61% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM127 (₡ 15,475) | ₡ 33,546 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM85 (₡ 10,349) | ₡ 4,541 | + 128% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM18 (₡ 2,185) | ₡ 2,531 | - 14% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 (₡ 2,327) | ₡ 1,355 | + 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,145 (₡ 261,556) | ₡ 403,893 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 (₡ 29) | ₡ 45 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM158 (₡ 19,269) | ₡ 33,420 | - 42% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (₡ 2,129) | ₡ 2,530 | - 16% | |
| TOTAL | - 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
121.944
CRC
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,189 prices entered by 176 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 37% cheaper than in Costa Rica
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