Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Indonesia
Currency:
| Food | + 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 35% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM26 (Rp 98,346) | Rp 67,167 | + 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM22 (Rp 83,115) | Rp 61,090 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (Rp 38,886) | Rp 32,593 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM9 (Rp 34,182) | Rp 25,633 | + 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM12 (Rp 47,790) | Rp 31,337 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (Rp 23,497) | Rp 12,592 | + 87% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (Rp 101,923) | Rp 72,901 | + 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM14 (Rp 53,842) | Rp 45,403 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM5.71 (Rp 21,958) | Rp 22,376 | - 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM14 (Rp 54,709) | Rp 32,966 | + 66% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM108 (Rp 416,541) | Rp 344,694 | + 21% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM6 (Rp 23,756) | Rp 18,943 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.82 (Rp 18,529) | Rp 15,178 | + 22% | |
| Housing | - 21% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 21% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,099 (Rp 11,909,427) | Rp 20,348,700 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,092 (Rp 8,038,227) | Rp 11,729,200 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM321 (Rp 1,233,864) | Rp 1,724,710 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,126 (Rp 8,171,692) | Rp 7,387,200 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,265 (Rp 4,860,482) | Rp 4,597,950 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM153 (Rp 586,598) | Rp 1,423,880 | - 59% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM91 (Rp 350,429) | Rp 378,883 | - 8% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,408 (Rp 5,410,557) | Rp 3,205,730 | + 69% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM418 (Rp 1,606,777) | Rp 1,931,010 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM23 (Rp 87,958) | Rp 91,402 | - 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM34 (Rp 132,030) | Rp 83,441 | + 58% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 33% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM246 (Rp 946,064) | Rp 651,126 | + 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM150 (Rp 575,227) | Rp 458,661 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM472 (Rp 1,814,125) | Rp 1,449,070 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM475 (Rp 1,826,657) | Rp 1,296,520 | + 41% | |
| Transportation | - 9% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 9% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM153,476 (Rp 589,795,380) | Rp 504,781,000 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.40 (Rp 9,222) | Rp 12,092 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM107 (Rp 409,355) | Rp 535,183 | - 24% | |
| Personal Care | + 62% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 62% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM16 (Rp 62,657) | Rp 22,456 | + 179% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM34 (Rp 129,416) | Rp 96,147 | + 35% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM89 (Rp 342,549) | Rp 264,826 | + 29% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (Rp 99,736) | Rp 66,604 | + 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM14 (Rp 54,613) | Rp 26,592 | + 105% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM15 (Rp 56,937) | Rp 33,023 | + 72% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM8 (Rp 31,636) | Rp 27,953 | + 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM14 (Rp 53,213) | Rp 21,349 | + 149% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM33 (Rp 126,770) | Rp 84,361 | + 50% | |
| Entertainment | + 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 41% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM94 (Rp 359,424) | Rp 261,890 | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM38 (Rp 145,475) | Rp 96,262 | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM360 (Rp 1,381,632) | Rp 496,791 | + 178% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM201 (Rp 770,720) | Rp 397,663 | + 94% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM44 (Rp 168,351) | Rp 149,637 | + 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM15 (Rp 59,094) | Rp 38,785 | + 52% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM25 (Rp 95,077) | Rp 50,891 | + 87% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,135 (Rp 8,205,279) | Rp 6,922,760 | + 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.50 (Rp 1,921) | Rp 2,388 | - 20% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM240 (Rp 923,018) | Rp 433,566 | + 113% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (Rp 70,312) | Rp 46,882 | + 50% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 901 prices entered by 144 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 11, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3842.916
IDR
/
MYR
Cost of living in Malaysia is 8% more expensive than in Indonesia
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