Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 43% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 43% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM14 (¥399) | ¥1,145 | - 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM17 (¥499) | ¥719 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 (¥233) | ¥437 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (¥201) | ¥211 | - 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM9 (¥270) | ¥282 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM5.82 (¥172) | ¥815 | - 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM23 (¥679) | ¥951 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM11 (¥314) | ¥984 | - 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.40 (¥130) | ¥421 | - 69% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (¥358) | ¥268 | + 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM76 (¥2,231) | ¥1,770 | + 26% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM5.04 (¥149) | ¥217 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.45 (¥102) | ¥225 | - 55% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 52% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM2,964 (¥87,469) | ¥194,768 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,132 (¥62,912) | ¥126,641 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM242 (¥7,134) | ¥21,178 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM1,877 (¥55,385) | ¥142,258 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,177 (¥34,730) | ¥80,836 | - 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM231 (¥6,829) | ¥13,643 | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM110 (¥3,240) | ¥3,988 | - 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM2,231 (¥65,853) | ¥59,521 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM344 (¥10,166) | ¥17,809 | - 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM24 (¥714) | ¥665 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM21 (¥629) | ¥2,700 | - 77% | |
| Clothes | - 16% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 16% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM217 (¥6,407) | ¥7,941 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM132 (¥3,883) | ¥4,162 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM279 (¥8,245) | ¥7,471 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM245 (¥7,227) | ¥15,388 | - 53% | |
| Transportation | - 60% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 60% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM157,268 (¥4,641,655) | ¥2,576,380 | + 80% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.18 (¥64) | ¥161 | - 60% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM92 (¥2,716) | ¥16,725 | - 84% | |
| Personal Care | - 49% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 49% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM15 (¥457) | ¥1,370 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM20 (¥590) | ¥1,955 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM79 (¥2,323) | ¥3,523 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM26 (¥777) | ¥2,205 | - 65% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM10 (¥288) | ¥648 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM12 (¥349) | ¥409 | - 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM7 (¥220) | ¥143 | + 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM6 (¥180) | ¥184 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM48 (¥1,409) | ¥3,583 | - 61% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 40% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM143 (¥4,229) | ¥4,280 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM34 (¥1,000) | ¥3,593 | - 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM206 (¥6,086) | ¥20,657 | - 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM100 (¥2,951) | ¥6,242 | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM101 (¥2,982) | ¥1,034 | + 189% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM12 (¥358) | ¥533 | - 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM15 (¥449) | ¥526 | - 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,097 (¥61,899) | ¥58,872 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.24 (¥7) | ¥41 | - 83% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM154 (¥4,531) | ¥11,178 | - 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (¥522) | ¥554 | - 6% | |
| TOTAL | - 50% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 11, 2022.
Exchange rate:
29.514
JPY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,052 prices entered by 142 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 50% cheaper than in Japan
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