Cost of living in Malaysia compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Malaysia is 32% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | RM17 (¥544) | ¥998 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | RM19 (¥587) | ¥723 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | RM9 (¥296) | ¥544 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | RM8 (¥244) | ¥204 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | RM10 (¥315) | ¥323 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | RM6 (¥201) | ¥616 | - 67% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | RM27 (¥866) | ¥934 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | RM12 (¥379) | ¥850 | - 55% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | RM4.73 (¥150) | ¥535 | - 72% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | RM12 (¥394) | ¥288 | + 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | RM66 (¥2,098) | ¥1,240 | + 69% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | RM4.72 (¥150) | ¥240 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | RM3.69 (¥117) | ¥202 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in Malaysia is 44% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | RM4,011 (¥127,269) | ¥279,056 | - 54% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | RM2,283 (¥72,454) | ¥163,427 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | RM254 (¥8,068) | ¥23,363 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | RM2,402 (¥76,207) | ¥150,519 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | RM1,376 (¥43,662) | ¥81,210 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | RM863 (¥27,388) | ¥36,753 | - 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | RM111 (¥3,530) | ¥4,386 | - 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | RM1,876 (¥59,516) | ¥49,710 | + 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | RM907 (¥28,792) | ¥17,687 | + 63% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | RM33 (¥1,040) | ¥1,118 | - 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | RM36 (¥1,152) | ¥1,483 | - 22% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in Malaysia is 8% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | RM223 (¥7,084) | ¥6,145 | + 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | RM142 (¥4,499) | ¥5,263 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | RM318 (¥10,105) | ¥9,604 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | RM314 (¥9,950) | ¥13,529 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in Malaysia is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | RM152,122 (¥4,826,745) | ¥2,697,750 | + 79% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | RM2.07 (¥66) | ¥170 | - 61% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | RM51 (¥1,624) | ¥9,950 | - 84% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Malaysia is 50% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | RM9 (¥301) | ¥2,154 | - 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | RM21 (¥663) | ¥2,551 | - 74% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | RM91 (¥2,891) | ¥5,499 | - 47% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | RM44 (¥1,396) | ¥1,340 | + 4% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | RM11 (¥337) | ¥842 | - 60% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | RM14 (¥442) | ¥750 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | RM20 (¥645) | ¥225 | + 187% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | RM7 (¥219) | ¥233 | - 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | RM28 (¥894) | ¥3,812 | - 77% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Malaysia is 42% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Malaysia | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | RM115 (¥3,659) | ¥4,064 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | RM41 (¥1,313) | ¥3,590 | - 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | RM211 (¥6,702) | ¥4,524 | + 48% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | RM129 (¥4,077) | ¥6,047 | - 33% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | RM41 (¥1,307) | ¥896 | + 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | RM13 (¥424) | ¥487 | - 13% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | RM19 (¥612) | ¥585 | + 4% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | RM2,145 (¥68,056) | ¥98,506 | - 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | RM0.17 (¥5) | ¥52 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | RM201 (¥6,392) | ¥9,275 | - 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | RM18 (¥570) | ¥587 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | - 43% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2023.
Exchange rate:
31.729
JPY
/
MYR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,188 prices entered by 219 different people.
Cost of living in Malaysia is 43% cheaper than in Japan
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