Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 42% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM21 (¥546) | ¥981 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM16 (¥433) | ¥700 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM8 (¥224) | ¥414 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM7 (¥175) | ¥205 | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM8 (¥208) | ¥251 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM4.78 (¥127) | ¥659 | - 81% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM29 (¥776) | ¥964 | - 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM9 (¥246) | ¥743 | - 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM3.56 (¥95) | ¥391 | - 76% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM11 (¥303) | ¥296 | + 2% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM88 (¥2,337) | ¥1,420 | + 65% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.10 (¥109) | ¥178 | - 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.22 (¥86) | ¥217 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 62% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 62% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM3,319 (¥88,122) | ¥299,320 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM1,755 (¥46,590) | ¥164,446 | - 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM288 (¥7,633) | ¥21,056 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,263 (¥60,094) | ¥150,152 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,385 (¥36,773) | ¥78,123 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM196 (¥5,201) | ¥11,902 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM98 (¥2,611) | ¥4,118 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,610 (¥42,750) | ¥70,060 | - 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM488 (¥12,955) | ¥12,705 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM21 (¥554) | ¥794 | - 30% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM31 (¥831) | ¥2,406 | - 65% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 15% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM227 (¥6,031) | ¥7,319 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM152 (¥4,044) | ¥4,417 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM270 (¥7,173) | ¥8,375 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM298 (¥7,916) | ¥13,139 | - 40% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 49% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM154,513 (¥4,102,276) | ¥2,627,120 | + 56% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM1.98 (¥53) | ¥135 | - 61% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM87 (¥2,307) | ¥10,272 | - 78% | |
| Personal Care | - 48% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 48% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM15 (¥411) | ¥1,148 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM16 (¥425) | ¥1,229 | - 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM73 (¥1,934) | ¥5,176 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM21 (¥547) | ¥803 | - 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM13 (¥335) | ¥611 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM16 (¥414) | ¥528 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM5.12 (¥136) | ¥152 | - 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM9 (¥226) | ¥258 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM45 (¥1,188) | ¥3,156 | - 62% | |
| Entertainment | - 46% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM84 (¥2,238) | ¥3,672 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM36 (¥955) | ¥3,638 | - 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM258 (¥6,851) | ¥16,372 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM196 (¥5,206) | ¥6,066 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM32 (¥845) | ¥1,131 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM16 (¥419) | ¥435 | - 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM20 (¥540) | ¥548 | - 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM1,919 (¥50,961) | ¥55,862 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.42 (¥11) | ¥53 | - 79% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM156 (¥4,130) | ¥9,625 | - 57% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM17 (¥461) | ¥530 | - 13% | |
| TOTAL | - 51% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 06, 2021.
Exchange rate:
26.550
JPY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,562 prices entered by 239 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 51% cheaper than in Japan
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