Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 50% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM20 (¥499) | ¥1,001 | - 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM15 (¥378) | ¥722 | - 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (¥215) | ¥446 | - 52% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM6 (¥161) | ¥214 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM8 (¥197) | ¥289 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.46 (¥111) | ¥501 | - 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM22 (¥537) | ¥1,246 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM10 (¥244) | ¥640 | - 62% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.51 (¥112) | ¥381 | - 71% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 (¥267) | ¥260 | + 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM75 (¥1,860) | ¥1,652 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM3.92 (¥97) | ¥221 | - 56% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.47 (¥86) | ¥277 | - 69% | |
| Housing | - 57% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 57% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,335 (¥82,698) | ¥182,340 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,746 (¥43,285) | ¥121,270 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM226 (¥5,616) | ¥15,948 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,906 (¥47,269) | ¥127,445 | - 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,165 (¥28,893) | ¥86,552 | - 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM160 (¥3,956) | ¥11,000 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM109 (¥2,702) | ¥3,835 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,319 (¥32,700) | ¥39,892 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM536 (¥13,296) | ¥10,465 | + 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM20 (¥502) | ¥749 | - 33% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM26 (¥640) | ¥2,162 | - 70% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 14% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM262 (¥6,489) | ¥6,528 | - 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM160 (¥3,975) | ¥4,644 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM298 (¥7,392) | ¥7,685 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM320 (¥7,940) | ¥13,013 | - 39% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 47% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM155,825 (¥3,863,994) | ¥2,936,380 | + 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.26 (¥56) | ¥142 | - 60% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM96 (¥2,368) | ¥9,348 | - 75% | |
| Personal Care | - 55% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 55% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM14 (¥348) | ¥1,406 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM23 (¥564) | ¥929 | - 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM67 (¥1,665) | ¥8,740 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM22 (¥537) | ¥554 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM13 (¥313) | ¥669 | - 53% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 (¥393) | ¥525 | - 25% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (¥181) | ¥206 | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM8 (¥194) | ¥238 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM32 (¥799) | ¥2,654 | - 70% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 40% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM86 (¥2,134) | ¥3,275 | - 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM37 (¥905) | ¥3,323 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM239 (¥5,927) | ¥16,766 | - 65% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM181 (¥4,477) | ¥5,924 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM33 (¥825) | ¥806 | + 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM14 (¥355) | ¥520 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM22 (¥553) | ¥510 | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,865 (¥46,255) | ¥47,822 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.30 (¥7) | ¥26 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM170 (¥4,216) | ¥8,220 | - 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (¥426) | ¥491 | - 13% | |
| TOTAL | - 48% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 01, 2020.
Exchange rate:
24.797
JPY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,633 prices entered by 400 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in Japan
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Angola is 38% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 5% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Anguilla is 11% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is about the same as in Japan
- Cost of living in Andorra is 28% more expensive than in Japan
- Cost of living in Argentina is 62% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 45% cheaper than in Japan
- Cost of living in Albania is 50% cheaper than in Japan