Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Indonesia
Currency:
| Food | - 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 9% cheaper than in Indonesia | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM21 (Rp 68,130) | Rp 62,389 | + 9% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM15 (Rp 49,889) | Rp 50,984 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 (Rp 27,648) | Rp 29,325 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (Rp 22,139) | Rp 18,889 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM8 (Rp 26,594) | Rp 26,350 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.25 (Rp 14,043) | Rp 15,739 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM21 (Rp 70,526) | Rp 69,458 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 (Rp 32,211) | Rp 39,153 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.48 (Rp 14,789) | Rp 19,538 | - 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 (Rp 36,620) | Rp 30,210 | + 21% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM80 (Rp 264,873) | Rp 433,415 | - 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.08 (Rp 13,471) | Rp 15,764 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.45 (Rp 11,396) | Rp 14,528 | - 22% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is about the same as in Indonesia | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,392 (Rp 11,200,205) | Rp 13,652,300 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,812 (Rp 5,982,823) | Rp 7,261,930 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM226 (Rp 747,204) | Rp 1,073,920 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,054 (Rp 6,780,192) | Rp 6,550,380 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,291 (Rp 4,263,880) | Rp 3,577,050 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM163 (Rp 539,613) | Rp 660,848 | - 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM106 (Rp 351,541) | Rp 281,571 | + 25% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,366 (Rp 4,509,783) | Rp 3,961,170 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM435 (Rp 1,434,616) | Rp 1,567,420 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM20 (Rp 65,420) | Rp 52,955 | + 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM28 (Rp 92,351) | Rp 55,185 | + 67% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 4% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM259 (Rp 853,621) | Rp 658,752 | + 30% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM152 (Rp 500,446) | Rp 531,171 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM301 (Rp 993,979) | Rp 1,095,930 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM383 (Rp 1,265,578) | Rp 911,737 | + 39% | |
| Transportation | + 4% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 4% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM153,306 (Rp 506,154,582) | Rp 432,423,000 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.29 (Rp 7,556) | Rp 9,131 | - 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM104 (Rp 344,132) | Rp 360,956 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 23% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM17 (Rp 57,117) | Rp 32,065 | + 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM23 (Rp 75,028) | Rp 138,988 | - 46% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM64 (Rp 210,640) | Rp 257,547 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM24 (Rp 78,718) | Rp 41,237 | + 91% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 (Rp 33,829) | Rp 24,297 | + 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 (Rp 53,942) | Rp 30,182 | + 79% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (Rp 22,697) | Rp 19,131 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 (Rp 25,863) | Rp 14,080 | + 84% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM37 (Rp 122,415) | Rp 66,998 | + 83% | |
| Entertainment | + 21% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 21% more expensive than in Indonesia | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM86 (Rp 284,843) | Rp 184,609 | + 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM36 (Rp 120,431) | Rp 105,675 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM201 (Rp 664,710) | Rp 359,301 | + 85% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM180 (Rp 595,360) | Rp 433,102 | + 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM34 (Rp 112,567) | Rp 128,455 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM16 (Rp 51,964) | Rp 46,128 | + 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM23 (Rp 76,897) | Rp 51,877 | + 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,905 (Rp 6,289,079) | Rp 6,699,010 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.54 (Rp 1,782) | Rp 1,406 | + 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM169 (Rp 559,594) | Rp 588,150 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (Rp 57,134) | Rp 22,910 | + 149% | |
| TOTAL | + 3% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2020.
Exchange rate:
3301.597
IDR
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,187 prices entered by 445 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is about the same as in Indonesia
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