Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Indonesia
Currency:
| Food | - 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 9% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM20 (Rp 64,663) | Rp 44,863 | + 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 (Rp 56,664) | Rp 54,330 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (Rp 30,960) | Rp 27,591 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (Rp 23,987) | Rp 19,917 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 (Rp 29,748) | Rp 25,297 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 (Rp 25,582) | Rp 18,627 | + 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 (Rp 69,823) | Rp 55,732 | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 (Rp 35,508) | Rp 43,429 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.89 (Rp 15,891) | Rp 21,967 | - 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (Rp 42,294) | Rp 34,412 | + 23% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM33 (Rp 107,288) | Rp 337,317 | - 68% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.54 (Rp 14,761) | Rp 22,207 | - 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.31 (Rp 10,748) | Rp 17,971 | - 40% | |
| Housing | - 16% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 16% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,024 (Rp 9,831,140) | Rp 17,957,200 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,823 (Rp 5,927,328) | Rp 9,443,920 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM255 (Rp 829,443) | Rp 528,780 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,078 (Rp 6,756,062) | Rp 7,265,990 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,297 (Rp 4,216,582) | Rp 4,054,970 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM973 (Rp 3,161,491) | Rp 1,282,180 | + 147% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM75 (Rp 243,537) | Rp 410,662 | - 41% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM2,119 (Rp 6,888,913) | Rp 4,056,150 | + 70% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM674 (Rp 2,191,018) | Rp 1,358,260 | + 61% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 (Rp 80,540) | Rp 56,742 | + 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM35 (Rp 114,912) | Rp 77,300 | + 49% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is about the same as in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM243 (Rp 790,332) | Rp 624,572 | + 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM85 (Rp 275,977) | Rp 443,680 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM407 (Rp 1,323,371) | Rp 1,212,520 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM877 (Rp 2,851,951) | Rp 1,298,040 | + 120% | |
| Transportation | - 7% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 7% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM159,544 (Rp 518,609,897) | Rp 535,705,000 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.08 (Rp 6,766) | Rp 12,273 | - 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM50 (Rp 162,529) | Rp 150,291 | + 8% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 29% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM9 (Rp 30,346) | Rp 36,367 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM17 (Rp 56,188) | Rp 60,467 | - 7% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM65 (Rp 211,048) | Rp 351,050 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM44 (Rp 143,025) | Rp 130,123 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (Rp 34,540) | Rp 21,655 | + 60% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 (Rp 45,263) | Rp 34,558 | + 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM20 (Rp 66,109) | Rp 30,035 | + 120% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (Rp 22,472) | Rp 15,580 | + 44% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM29 (Rp 94,163) | Rp 88,350 | + 7% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is about the same as in Indonesia | ||||
| Malaysia | Indonesia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM127 (Rp 414,127) | Rp 216,012 | + 92% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM44 (Rp 144,242) | Rp 104,481 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM211 (Rp 686,629) | Rp 2,274,680 | - 70% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM186 (Rp 604,867) | Rp 383,761 | + 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM46 (Rp 149,190) | Rp 162,937 | - 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM18 (Rp 57,751) | Rp 36,298 | + 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM22 (Rp 72,316) | Rp 40,791 | + 77% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,145 (Rp 6,972,128) | Rp 12,194,000 | - 43% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 (Rp 771) | Rp 2,029 | - 62% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM222 (Rp 723,185) | Rp 496,553 | + 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (Rp 59,660) | Rp 35,528 | + 68% | |
| TOTAL | - 7% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
3250.576
IDR
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,003 prices entered by 195 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 7% cheaper than in Indonesia
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