Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 18% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM19 (¥637) | ¥1,023 | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM19 (¥634) | ¥790 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM10 (¥323) | ¥521 | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 (¥262) | ¥225 | + 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM10 (¥331) | ¥319 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM8 (¥253) | ¥564 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (¥881) | ¥1,287 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 (¥378) | ¥611 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM7 (¥218) | ¥399 | - 45% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM13 (¥430) | ¥307 | + 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM69 (¥2,295) | ¥1,236 | + 86% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM5.27 (¥174) | ¥203 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM4.07 (¥134) | ¥177 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 54% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 54% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,769 (¥124,582) | ¥365,978 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,425 (¥80,157) | ¥174,960 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM377 (¥12,469) | ¥20,112 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,307 (¥76,242) | ¥167,408 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,585 (¥52,383) | ¥105,023 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM196 (¥6,468) | ¥13,280 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM116 (¥3,825) | ¥4,420 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,161 (¥38,371) | ¥61,842 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM463 (¥15,305) | ¥10,283 | + 49% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM25 (¥815) | ¥1,221 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM28 (¥929) | ¥2,588 | - 64% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM245 (¥8,091) | ¥8,396 | - 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM161 (¥5,333) | ¥5,233 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM332 (¥10,989) | ¥9,426 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM320 (¥10,568) | ¥12,490 | - 15% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM154,335 (¥5,100,937) | ¥3,004,620 | + 70% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.24 (¥74) | ¥167 | - 56% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM53 (¥1,742) | ¥8,534 | - 80% | |
| Personal Care | - 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 53% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (¥461) | ¥1,575 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM32 (¥1,067) | ¥2,993 | - 64% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM84 (¥2,778) | ¥6,000 | - 54% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (¥875) | ¥1,337 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM13 (¥436) | ¥948 | - 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM12 (¥408) | ¥622 | - 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (¥243) | ¥248 | - 2% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM11 (¥373) | ¥204 | + 82% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM27 (¥905) | ¥4,086 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 19% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 19% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM64 (¥2,127) | ¥5,118 | - 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM39 (¥1,292) | ¥3,882 | - 67% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM480 (¥15,848) | ¥9,078 | + 75% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM134 (¥4,442) | ¥7,916 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM35 (¥1,142) | ¥1,898 | - 40% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (¥444) | ¥526 | - 16% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM17 (¥577) | ¥631 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,918 (¥96,432) | ¥35,175 | + 174% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM207 (¥6,832) | ¥9,541 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (¥578) | ¥578 | - 0% | |
| TOTAL | - 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 08, 2024.
Exchange rate:
33.051
JPY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,443 prices entered by 257 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 39% cheaper than in Japan
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